Ask Mr. Know-It-All: Why do I have to celebrate China’s National Day?

 

National Day in China forms part of a week-long celebration in which migrant workers stream out of cities to head home to their families all over the country. Be glad you’re not traveling on the mainland this week. Of course, we in Hong Kong get National Day off as a public holiday. It replaces the pre-1997 holiday which marked the liberation of Hong Kong after Word War II. What’s that, you say? They’re all holidays which commemorate the power of our overlords from across the sea? Pretty much. But Hong Kong’s October 1 doesn’t just have to be about China. Here are some Hong Kong October 1 milestones.

October 1, 1848
Four sisters of the St Paul de Chartres congregation arrive in Hong Kong from France and adopt a baby girl who has been abandoned by her mother. The order goes on to found St. Paul’s Convent School, one of Hong Kong’s most prestigious girls’ schools.

October 1, 1910
The Kowloon-Canton Railway (British Section) opens for business. The steam locomotives link Yau Ma Tei to Fanling via Sha Tin and Tai Po Market. The track is now known as the East Rail line. One year later, the Chinese portion of the route to Guangzhou is completed.

October 1, 1965
The Star Ferry Company applies to the government to increase first-class fares by 10 cents (the cost of a newspaper) and monthly tickets from $8 to $10. It’s considered a catalyst for a series of other fee hikes that will affect Hong Kong life. Despite overwhelming opposition, in March of the next year the Transport Advisory Committee recommends a 5 cent increase in first-class fares, and another $2 increase in monthly tickets, taking them to $12. Turmoil culminates in the Star Ferry riots in April.

October 1, 1979
The Mass Transit Railway system begins operation. The Kwun Tong Line runs between Shek Kip Mei and Kwun Tong, calling at stations including Waterloo (Yau Ma Tei) and Argyle (Mong Kok). Extensions to Tsim Sha Tsui and Chater (Central) are complete by February of the next year.

October 1, 1987
The Hang Seng Index hits a high of 3,968.7 points. Eighteen days later, the market drops 420 points, setting off a global financial crash in what becomes known as “Black Monday.” The following Monday, the HSI drops 1,120.7 points, closing down 33.33 percent in a single day.

October 1, 2012
Passenger ferry “Sea Smooth” and Hongkong Electric Company vessel “Lamma IV” collide off the coast of Lamma Island. The Lamma IV sinks rapidly: 39 people are killed and 92 are injured, making it Hong Kong’s deadliest maritime disaster in the last 40 years. In other words: it’s not all good news. Maybe just stick to the National Day fireworks after all.