This day in history

In response to foreign encroachment in China, Chinese nationalists launch the so-called Boxer Rebellion in Peking.

Calling themselves I Ho Ch'uan, or the Righteous and Harmonious Fists, the nationalists occupied Peking, killed several foreign officials, and besieged the diplomatic quarter of the city. The British called the nationalists Boxers because of their martial-arts fighting style.

The siege continued until 14 August, when an international force featuring British, Russian, American, Japanese, French and German troops fought their way into Peking and ended the Boxer Rebellion. In the aftermath, a peace treaty was forced on China’s ruling government, making China effectively a subject nation of the foreign powers.
 

Pervez Musharraf declares himself president of Pakistan.
 

The British Government announces that it will abolish O-Level and CSE exams and replace them with GCSEs.
 

The Soviet Union and America agree to install a telephone hot-line between Moscow and Washington.
 

On the death of William IV, his niece Victoria becomes Queen of England.
 

Paddle-wheel steamship the SS Savannah becomes the first steamship to cross the Atlantic arriving in Liverpool, England after departing Savannah in the U.S.A. 27 and a half days earlier.