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From our archives
How the South China Morning Post covered occasions, news, happenings and events big and small since its founding in 1903
last updated:
9 September, 2024
Six hundred lives were lost when a fire ravaged Happy Valley Racecourse in Hong Kong, in 1918. Photo: SCMP Archives
Accidents and personal safety

Recap | Hong Kong building disasters, from an inferno to construction site tragedies

These were some of Hong Kong’s most tragic construction disasters, from the 1918 Happy Valley racecourse inferno to deadly lift crashes, highlighting the critical need for improved safety standards.

History

When China put a journalist under house arrest in retaliation for jailings

Old Hong Kong

Recap | Quirky tales from old Hong Kong, from exorcised ghosts to nudists

Fame and celebrity

When Madonna and Sean Penn were in Hong Kong to shoot Shanghai Surprise

The Queen of Pop was in town in early 1986 to shoot scenes for her latest film and had managed to give media the slip, until a Post photographer spotted them dining at a restaurant in Central.

Madonna and her actor husband Sean Penn were snapped by an intrepid Post photographer dining in the Godown restaurant in Central during her trip to Hong Kong in early 1986 to shoot the film Shanghai Surprise. Photo: SCMP Archives
Muhammad Ali

Recap | Hong Kong’s star-studded past, from The Beatles to Muhammad Ali

Discover the fascinating stories of some of the biggest ever names from the worlds of music and sport during their memorable visits to the city.

Music

Recap | David Bowie, Whitney Houston, Duran Duran – when legends played Hong Kong

Relive iconic visits and concerts by music superstars Bowie, Houston, Duran Duran, Sammy Davis Jr and Pat Boone when they came to Hong Kong.

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Anita Mui

When Hong Kong lost Cantopop superstar Anita Mui

Mui, an award-winning singer and actress who had dominated the city’s show business scene, announced her cancer diagnosis to a shocked world in September 2003.

Hong Kong Cantopop singer and actress Anita Mui wore a wedding gown at one of her last concerts in Hong Kong in November 2003. She died the following month on December 30. Photo: Reuters
Old Hong Kong

When MTR tunnelling caused a collapse and 140 were evacuated on New Year’s Day

A 20-metre deep hole appeared in the road and residents were left too scared to return to their homes after work on the MTR Island line caused massive subsidence at ground level.

Hong Kong cinema

Recap | Sammo Hung honoured, Bruce Lee’s legacy, Jackie Chan’s breakthrough and more

Explore the legacies of martial arts legends Sammo Hung, Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan and Jet Li, and their impact on Hollywood and Hong Kong cinema.

Donald Trump

Our most-read PostMag stories of 2024, from Donald Trump to Sammo Hung

What were the most popular stories with our online readers this year? Donald Trump was the winner, as a look back at his attempt to sell his yacht in Hong Kong was No 1 on our charts ….

Taylor Swift, here performing during her Eras Tour in Vancouver, British Columbia, in December, has been compared to famous ancient Chinese singer Yongxin in one of PostMag’s top five best-read stories of 2024. Photo: AP
Fame and celebrity

Recap | Stephen Hawking, Serena Williams, Queen Elizabeth ... and more Hong Kong star visitors

Explore the moments when icons like Stephen Hawking, Rudolf Nureyev, Clark Gable, Queen Elizabeth and Serena Williams made memorable visits to Hong Kong.

When Stephen Hawking visited Hong Kong to give a lecture in 2006, he was mobbed at Hong Kong International Airport like a rock star. Photo: SCMP
Hong Kong society

On This Day | Hong Kong unveils Tian Tan ‘Big Buddha’ in 1993 – SCMP archive

Hong Kong inaugurated the giant statue on December 29, 1993, although plans were first announced in 1969.

Old Hong Kong

Recap | Hong Kong’s deadliest disasters, from landslides to shark attacks to floods

Explore Hong Kong’s tragic history of natural disasters, from deadly landslides and flash floods to shark attacks and explosions, all of which have shaped the city’s safety protocols.

Old Hong Kong

The rocky path to enlightenment: the building of Hong Kong’s Big Buddha

Plans for the ‘Big Buddha’ on Lantau Island were first announced in 1969, but the statue was not completed until 1990 – and opened only 3 years later.

The inaugural ceremony of the Tian Tan Buddha statue rising before the Po Lin Temple on Lantau Island, Hong Kong, in 1993. Photo: SCMP Archives
Hong Kong transport

On This Day | When Hong Kong’s Ma On Shan line opened to public 20 years ago – SCMP archive

In 2004, schoolboys and rail buffs flocked to the inauguration of the HK$10 billion Ma On Shan railway.

A long queue of passengers waiting to board the first train of the Ma On Shan rail line service at KCRC’s Tai Wai Station on December 21, 2004. Photo: Martin Chan
Macau

On This Day | Macau returns to China in 1999 – from the SCMP archive

Twenty-five years ago, Macau was handed back to China after centuries of Portuguese rule, marking the end of Asia’s colonial era.

Old Hong Kong

Recap | 5 of the most infamous Hong Kong crimes, from a diamond heist to kidnapping

Explore gripping crime stories from Hong Kong’s archives, including a $3.4 million diamond burglary, a grave-robbing racket, lethal bootleg wine and a daring jailbreak.

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Hong Kong

On This Day | ‘A new era’: Sino-British Joint Declaration signed in 1984 – SCMP archive

In 1984, British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and her Chinese counterpart Zhao Ziyang signed paper that paved way for Hong Kong’s return to China.

In Beijing, the British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, and the Chinese Prime Minister Zhao Ziyang, sign the Sino-British Joint Declaration on December 19, 1984, while officials from both sides look on. Photo: SCMP
Hong Kong society

On This Day | When a ferry crashed into a Hong Kong typhoon shelter in 1989 – SCMP archive

35 years ago, a catamaran ferry crashed at full speed into the Yau Ma Tei typhoon shelter, killing three and injuring 18 others.

Old Hong Kong

When a Dior-clad socialite killed her lover, horrifying Hong Kong

Maria Coady was photographed with Chris Patten and rubbed shoulders with the Brunei royal family – before being jailed by a Hong Kong court.

Hong Kong sports

Recap | Pele, John McEnroe and Liverpool FC: Hong Kong’s most iconic sports moments

5 moments in history when sporting legends like Pele, Steve Davis, John McEnroe and Gary Player thrilled Hong Kong fans.

Pele (in white), of the Brazilian football team Santos, in action against the Hong Kong League XI at the Hong Kong Stadium,in 1970. Photo: SCMP Archives
Hong Kong

David Bowie’s record-breaking shows in Hong Kong in 1983

Despite complaints about audience behaviour, Bowie’s sold-out performances at the Coliseum were a resounding success 41 years ago.

British pop superstar David Bowie stunned Hong Kong with record-breaking concerts in 1983. Photo: Sam Chan
Old Hong Kong

When a blackmail plot ended in Australian tourist’s murder

Fifty-four years ago, Ronald Alan Coombe was found stabbed to death in his hotel room after a confrontation with a fellow countryman, Graham Edwards.

Hong Kong transport

On This Day | Hong Kong’s CMB drivers hold first strike in 20 years in 1989 – SCMP archive

35 years ago, Hong Kong’s CMB drivers held a four-hour strike to push for better retirement benefits.

Hong Kong politics

On This Day | Hong Kong’s first post-handover district-level elections – SCMP archive

On this day 25 years ago, Hong Kong held its first district-level election after the city’s handover from Britain to China.

Tung Chee-hwa (far left) opens ballot boxes in Causeway Bay Counting Centre on November 28, 1999. Photo: K. Y. Cheng
Old Hong Kong

That time Hong Kong almost caught its first live telecast from Apollo 12

The event drew the largest viewing audience in the city yet, but the sound was indistinct, the screen motionless: nothing happened.

Charles “Pete” Conrad Jr stands with the US flag on the lunar surface during the Apollo 12 mission, in 1969. Photo: Nasa/Handout
Disney

On This Day | Hong Kong inks deal to build Disney theme park in 1999 – SCMP archive

Twenty-five years ago in 1999, the creation of a Disneyland resort in Hong Kong was announced.

Hong Kong International Airport

On This Day | Hong Kong outlines plans for new international airport – from the SCMP archive

35 years ago, Hong Kong saw the beginning stages of what will become its international airport in Chek Lap Kok.

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