August 14

A Han Emperor Impeached

Power plays behind China's dragon throne

In the halls of the Western Han court, officials led by the powerful minister Huo Guang presented articles of impeachment against the newly installed Emperor Liu He to the imperial regent. Liu He had ruled for just twenty-seven days before his reckless behavior prompted his removal. The audacious maneuver demonstrated that in Han China, ministers could sometimes be mightier than emperors.

Alliance Takes Beijing

Eight nations storm the Forbidden City's gates

The Eight-Nation Alliance occupied Beijing, ending the bloody Boxer Rebellion. Troops from eight imperial powers fought their way into the Chinese capital to relieve their besieged legations. The fall of Beijing marked a humiliating chapter in Chinese history and deepened the crisis of the crumbling Qing dynasty.

Pakistan

Pakistan gains independence from the British Empire as the Dominion of Pakistan, due to the partition of India.