The Treaty of Nanking was a peace treaty which ended the First Opium War (1839–1842) between Great Britain and Qing Dynasty in China on 29 August 1842. It favoured British traders in treaty ports.
In the wake of China's military defeat, with British warships poised to attack Nanking, British and Chinese officials negotiated on board HMS Cornwallis anchored at the city. On 29 August, British representative Sir Henry Pottinger and Qing representatives Qiying, Yilibu, and Niu Jian signed the treaty, which consisted of thirteen articles. The treaty was ratified by the Daoguang Emperor on 27 October and Queen Victoria on 28 December. Ratification was exchanged in Hong Kong on 26 June 1843.
1842Aug, 29
Treaty of Nanking signing ends the First Opium War.
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Events on 1842
- 13Jan
1842 retreat from Kabul
Dr. William Brydon, an assistant surgeon in the British East India Company Army during the First Anglo-Afghan War, becomes famous for being the sole survivor of an army of 4,500 men and 12,000 camp followers when he reaches the safety of a garrison in Jalalabad, Afghanistan. - 9Mar
Rancho San Francisco
The first documented discovery of gold in California occurs at Rancho San Francisco, six years before the California Gold Rush. - 30Mar
Crawford Long
Ether anesthesia is used for the first time, in an operation by the American surgeon Dr. Crawford Long. - 14Aug
Seminole Wars
American Indian Wars: Second Seminole War ends, with the Seminoles forced from Florida to Oklahoma. - 7Dec
Ureli Corelli Hill
First concert of the New York Philharmonic, founded by Ureli Corelli Hill.