Topic
TOPIC
How the South China Morning Post covered occasions, news, happenings and events big and small since its founding in 1903
- Ma Kit-chee ‘cut him into chunks with a saw and put the bits into a cooking pot and boiled them dry’, the South China Morning Post reported in 1988
- Said to have been suffering from schizophrenia, Ma ended up in a mental hospital after being convicted of manslaughter
Speedskater Fiona Fong had only taken up the sport a year before the schoolgirl was called up to join Hong Kong’s first ever Winter Olympics team.
Speedskater Fiona Fong had only taken up the sport a year before the schoolgirl was called up to join Hong Kong’s first ever Winter Olympics team.
Hongkongers got their first Lunar New Year fireworks display in 1982, after a government ban aimed at curbing ammunition supply to communist bombers in 1967 put a halt on such shows
Hongkongers got their first Lunar New Year fireworks display in 1982, after a government ban aimed at curbing ammunition supply to communist bombers in 1967 put a halt on such shows
In February 1991, an employee of the Holiday Inn Golden Mile Hotel, in Tsim Sha Tsui, opened a parcel he believed to be from his wife. It exploded in his face.
In February 1991, an employee of the Holiday Inn Golden Mile Hotel, in Tsim Sha Tsui, opened a parcel he believed to be from his wife. It exploded in his face.
Businessman So Chak-tong was kidnapped as he left his Kowloon Tong home but abandoned hours later, when police closed in on his captors.
Businessman So Chak-tong was kidnapped as he left his Kowloon Tong home but abandoned hours later, when police closed in on his captors.
When a fire ripped through Tsim Sha Tsui’s Top One karaoke bar, in 1997, the police suspected it was the result of a Triad turf war. The truth was even more tragic.
When a fire ripped through Tsim Sha Tsui’s Top One karaoke bar, in 1997, the police suspected it was the result of a Triad turf war. The truth was even more tragic.
The captain of the contemporary vessel, which was built as closely as possible to 16th-century specifications, called the Hinde ‘a pig to steer’.
The captain of the contemporary vessel, which was built as closely as possible to 16th-century specifications, called the Hinde ‘a pig to steer’.
To protest against dramatic rises in taxes and licence fees, taxi drivers went on strike in January 1984, violence, looting and an ‘embarrassing’ government climbdown followed.
To protest against dramatic rises in taxes and licence fees, taxi drivers went on strike in January 1984, violence, looting and an ‘embarrassing’ government climbdown followed.
Shooting of the film adaptation of Joseph Conrad’s novel Lord Jim took about six weeks, with much of it focused on the colony’s harbour.
Shooting of the film adaptation of Joseph Conrad’s novel Lord Jim took about six weeks, with much of it focused on the colony’s harbour.
Notorious gangster Kwai Ping-hung, who was suspected of being responsible for some 20 armed robberies, was arrested while he slept on Christmas Eve in 2003.
Notorious gangster Kwai Ping-hung, who was suspected of being responsible for some 20 armed robberies, was arrested while he slept on Christmas Eve in 2003.
Mr and Mrs Fung, who welcomed triplet sons on Christmas Day in 1967, wondered how they were going to make ends meet. But Yau-chi, Yau-moon and Yau-foon, or Wisdom, Richness and Generosity, brought the family good fortune.
Mr and Mrs Fung, who welcomed triplet sons on Christmas Day in 1967, wondered how they were going to make ends meet. But Yau-chi, Yau-moon and Yau-foon, or Wisdom, Richness and Generosity, brought the family good fortune.
Improbable strike past his own keeper in a Hong Kong match in December 2011 has been named the ‘greatest own goal ever’.
Improbable strike past his own keeper in a Hong Kong match in December 2011 has been named the ‘greatest own goal ever’.
In 1974, the body of 16-year-old Pin Yuk-ying was found in a box on the side of a road in Hong Kong.
In 1974, the body of 16-year-old Pin Yuk-ying was found in a box on the side of a road in Hong Kong.
Born in Guangzhou, Yam Kim-fai came to Hong Kong after World War II where she performed hundreds of times in ‘virtually only’ male roles before her death in 1989.
Born in Guangzhou, Yam Kim-fai came to Hong Kong after World War II where she performed hundreds of times in ‘virtually only’ male roles before her death in 1989.
The announcement of MacLehose’s appointment as the head of Hong Kong’s colonial government came not from the administration itself, but from the BBC.
The announcement of MacLehose’s appointment as the head of Hong Kong’s colonial government came not from the administration itself, but from the BBC.
The ‘God-fearing sex symbol’ arrived to a warm welcome in 1988, but after her no-photo policy caused a fan to be publicly humiliated, the crowds turned on her.
The ‘God-fearing sex symbol’ arrived to a warm welcome in 1988, but after her no-photo policy caused a fan to be publicly humiliated, the crowds turned on her.
Nancy Kwan, who was brought in after first ‘Suzie’ choice France Nuyen dropped out, was met in Hong Kong with ‘cameras, confusion and clamouring crowds’.
Nancy Kwan, who was brought in after first ‘Suzie’ choice France Nuyen dropped out, was met in Hong Kong with ‘cameras, confusion and clamouring crowds’.
An alcohol-fuelled prank went very wrong, when two soldiers hijacked three vehicles on a wayward rampage to Kai Tak airport, taking two police officers hostage, in 1983.
An alcohol-fuelled prank went very wrong, when two soldiers hijacked three vehicles on a wayward rampage to Kai Tak airport, taking two police officers hostage, in 1983.
The Jubilee Sports Centre, now known as the Hong Kong Sports Institute, was built to provide facilities for training the ‘sportsmen and sportswomen of the future’.
The Jubilee Sports Centre, now known as the Hong Kong Sports Institute, was built to provide facilities for training the ‘sportsmen and sportswomen of the future’.
First mooted in 1963, when Hong Kong was gripped by drought, a desalination plant finally started producing fresh water in 1975, but not for long. The plant was shut down after critics blasted the high cost of running it.
First mooted in 1963, when Hong Kong was gripped by drought, a desalination plant finally started producing fresh water in 1975, but not for long. The plant was shut down after critics blasted the high cost of running it.
In 1972, Daimaru, one of the city’s largest department stores, was the scene of a massive explosion caused by a gas leak, leading to the death of a fireman and a cashier.
In 1972, Daimaru, one of the city’s largest department stores, was the scene of a massive explosion caused by a gas leak, leading to the death of a fireman and a cashier.
Born in Ningbo, in China, Yue-kong Pao started ‘at the bottom’, using his instinct for business to build one of the world’s largest shipping companies.
Born in Ningbo, in China, Yue-kong Pao started ‘at the bottom’, using his instinct for business to build one of the world’s largest shipping companies.
In 1968, the French designer showed his men’s and women’s collections at a charity event at the Hongkong Hilton, presenting hems ‘shorter than the rest of Paris’.
In 1968, the French designer showed his men’s and women’s collections at a charity event at the Hongkong Hilton, presenting hems ‘shorter than the rest of Paris’.
After 141 years of protecting Hong Kong from pirates and patrolling the border, the all-volunteer regiment was disbanded in 1995.
After 141 years of protecting Hong Kong from pirates and patrolling the border, the all-volunteer regiment was disbanded in 1995.
Originally slated to be called Queen’s Hotel, the name was changed after a survey of Americans found they preferred the more ‘exotic-sounding’ Mandarin.
Originally slated to be called Queen’s Hotel, the name was changed after a survey of Americans found they preferred the more ‘exotic-sounding’ Mandarin.
After being dogged by complaints and the threat of industrial action, China Motor Bus’ routes were taken over by New World First Bus, and all 2,300 staff went, too.
After being dogged by complaints and the threat of industrial action, China Motor Bus’ routes were taken over by New World First Bus, and all 2,300 staff went, too.
Queen Elizabeth Stadium, in Wan Chai, was built to commemorate a 1975 royal visit.
Queen Elizabeth Stadium, in Wan Chai, was built to commemorate a 1975 royal visit.
When a US Air Force transport plane carrying soldiers returning to the Vietnam war from rest and recreation in Hong Kong crashed soon after take-off, a witness saw people in the water. Then came the flames from burning aviation fuel.
When a US Air Force transport plane carrying soldiers returning to the Vietnam war from rest and recreation in Hong Kong crashed soon after take-off, a witness saw people in the water. Then came the flames from burning aviation fuel.
Located in Causeway Bay, the Lee Theatre was an icon for generations of Hong Kong performers and audiences, until its doors were shut in 1991.
Located in Causeway Bay, the Lee Theatre was an icon for generations of Hong Kong performers and audiences, until its doors were shut in 1991.
Inaugurated in August 1980, the service cut travel time from more than two hours to mere minutes but ended just two years later.
Inaugurated in August 1980, the service cut travel time from more than two hours to mere minutes but ended just two years later.