Portugal Is Recognised as a Kingdom
On October 5, 1143, the Treaty of Zamora recognised Portugal as a kingdom under Afonso Henriques.
The Royal Proclamation Closes the West to Colonial Settlement
On October 7, 1763, the Royal Proclamation closed land west of the Appalachians to settlement and reserved it for Native Americans.
Treaty of Paris Recognises American Independence
On September 3, 1783, Britain and the United States signed the Treaty of Paris, ending the Revolutionary War and setting the border at the Mississippi.
The Third Partition of Poland
On October 24, 1795, Russia, Prussia and Austria signed the third partition of Poland and divided the remaining Polish lands between them.
The Senate Approves the Louisiana Purchase
On October 20, 1803, the US Senate ratified the Louisiana Purchase, in which France sold a vast territory for about 15 million dollars.
Russia, Austria and Prussia Form the Holy Alliance
On September 26, 1815, Russia, Austria and Prussia signed the Holy Alliance, promising to govern by Christian principles after Napoleon's defeat.
The Arrow Incident Starts the Second Opium War
Chinese officials searched the lorcha Arrow at Guangzhou on October 8, 1856, and Britain used the incident to start the Second Opium War.
The Arrow Incident Opens the Second Opium War
On October 23, 1856, British forces attacked the forts on the Pearl river near Guangzhou, opening the Second Opium War.
The Convention of Beijing Ends the Second Opium War
On October 24, 1860, the Qing court signed the Convention of Beijing with Britain, ending the Second Opium War on terms imposed on China.
The International Meridian Conference Chooses Greenwich
The International Meridian Conference chose Greenwich as the prime meridian on October 13, 1884, fixing the world's zero line of longitude.
The Boxer Protocol Is Signed in Beijing
On September 7, 1901, China signed the Boxer Protocol with eleven powers, agreeing to a huge indemnity and foreign troops in Beijing.
Treaty of Portsmouth Ends the Russo-Japanese War
On September 5, 1905, Russia and Japan signed the Treaty of Portsmouth, ending their war and confirming Japan's position in Korea.
An Act Proclaims a Polish Kingdom
On November 5, 1916, Germany and Austria-Hungary proclaimed a kingdom of Poland on land taken from Russia during the war.
Britain Issues the Balfour Declaration on Palestine
On November 2, 1917, Britain's Balfour Declaration backed a Jewish national home in Palestine.
Iraq Becomes Independent
On October 3, 1932, Iraq became independent from Britain and joined the League of Nations.
Germany Leaves the League of Nations
Germany left the League of Nations on October 14, 1933, Hitler's first open break with the Versailles system and the start of rearmament.
Mussolini Names the Berlin-Rome Axis
On November 1, 1936, Mussolini called the Italy-Germany alliance an "axis," naming the era's central pact.
Britain, France, Germany and Italy Sign the Munich Agreement
On September 29, 1938, the Munich Agreement was signed, handing the Sudetenland to Germany without Czechoslovakia at the table.
Italy Signs the Armistice of Cassibile With the Allies
On September 3, 1943, Italy signed the Armistice of Cassibile with the Allies, a secret surrender announced five days later as German troops moved in.
Japan Signs the Instrument of Surrender Aboard USS Missouri
On September 2, 1945, Japan signed the Instrument of Surrender aboard USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay, formally bringing World War II to an end.
Japan Surrenders to China in Nanjing
On September 9, 1945, Japan surrendered to China in Nanjing, ending a war that had cost China tens of millions of lives.
The Food and Agriculture Organization Is Founded
On October 16, 1945, 42 countries signed the founding constitution of the Food and Agriculture Organization in Quebec City, Canada.
UNESCO Comes Into Being
On November 4, 1946, the constitution of UNESCO came into force, a year after it was signed in London by thirty-seven countries.
The Government Administration Council Is Set Up
On October 21, 1949, the Government Administration Council of the Central People's Government was formed, with Zhou Enlai as premier.
The Hague Agreement Transfers Sovereignty to Indonesia
On November 2, 1949, the Hague Agreement handed sovereignty over Indonesia to a new republic.
Forty-Eight Nations Sign the Treaty of San Francisco with Japan
On September 8, 1951, 48 nations signed a peace treaty with Japan at San Francisco; China was not invited and rejected its validity.
The Convention Establishing CERN Is Signed
On September 29, 1954, twelve countries signed the convention establishing CERN, the European particle physics laboratory near Geneva.
Austria Declares Permanent Neutrality
On October 26, 1955, Austria adopted a constitutional law of permanent neutrality, after the state treaty that ended the allied occupation.
The Suez War Begins
On October 29, 1956, Israeli forces entered Sinai and the Suez war began, after Egypt nationalised the Suez Canal company.
Chinese Troops Leave North Korea
On October 26, 1958, the last Chinese units withdrew from North Korea, five years after the armistice that ended the fighting.
Khrushchev Becomes the First Soviet Leader to Visit the United States
On September 15, 1959, Nikita Khrushchev became the first Soviet leader to visit the United States, spending 13 days in the country.
War Breaks Out on the China-India Border
On October 20, 1962, fighting began along the China-India border in the Himalayas, opening a war that lasted about a month.
The Cuban Missile Crisis Ends
On October 28, 1962, Khrushchev announced the removal of Soviet missiles from Cuba, ending the thirteen day Cuban missile crisis.
The Federation of Malaysia Is Proclaimed
On September 16, 1963, Malaya, Singapore, Sabah and Sarawak formed the Federation of Malaysia. Singapore was expelled less than two years later.
The Partial Test Ban Treaty Takes Effect
The Partial Test Ban Treaty took effect on October 10, 1963, ending nuclear tests in the atmosphere, in space and under water.
The Outer Space Treaty Enters Into Force
The Outer Space Treaty entered into force on October 10, 1967, banning national claims on the Moon and weapons of mass destruction in orbit.
Work Begins on the Tazara Railway
On October 28, 1970, construction began on the Tazara railway, built with Chinese aid to link Zambia to the coast at Dar es Salaam.
The United Nations Restores China's Seat
On October 25, 1971, the UN General Assembly restored the People's Republic of China's seat by Resolution 2758, removing the Taipei representatives.
China and Japan Sign the Joint Statement Normalising Relations
On September 29, 1972, China and Japan signed a joint statement in Beijing normalising diplomatic relations after 25 years.
East and West Germany Are Admitted to the United Nations
On September 18, 1973, East and West Germany both joined the United Nations, 24 years after the two states were founded.
Egypt and Syria Attack Israel, Starting the Yom Kippur War
Egypt and Syria attacked Israel on October 6, 1973, opening the Yom Kippur War and triggering the Arab oil embargo.
The Torrijos-Carter Treaties on the Panama Canal
On September 7, 1977, the US and Panama signed the treaties transferring control of the canal to Panama by the end of 1999.
Vietnam Is Admitted to the United Nations
On September 20, 1977, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam joined the United Nations, two years after reunification ended the Vietnam War.
Deng Xiaoping Visits Japan
On October 22, 1978, Deng Xiaoping arrived in Tokyo, the first Chinese leader to visit Japan since 1949, for the treaty of peace and friendship.
The IOC Restores China's Seat
On October 25, 1979, the International Olympic Committee adopted the Nagoya resolution, restoring the People's Republic of China's seat.
Britain and China Initial the Joint Declaration on Hong Kong
On September 26, 1984, Britain and China initialled the Joint Declaration on Hong Kong, setting the terms for the 1997 handover.
The Plaza Accord Is Signed to Bring Down the Dollar
On September 22, 1985, five nations signed the Plaza Accord at the Plaza Hotel in New York to drive down the value of the US dollar.
Reagan and Gorbachev Meet at Reykjavik
Reagan and Gorbachev met at Reykjavik on October 11, 1986, and came close to abolishing nuclear weapons before talks broke down over SDI.
The Montreal Protocol Is Signed to Save the Ozone Layer
On September 16, 1987, nations signed the Montreal Protocol to phase out CFCs and protect the ozone layer. It is the only UN treaty ratified by every country.
North and South Korea Join the United Nations Together
On September 17, 1991, North and South Korea joined the United Nations as separate states, after decades of rival claims to represent all of Korea.
The Paris Peace Agreements End the Cambodian Conflict
On October 23, 1991, the Paris peace agreements were signed, ending Cambodia's long conflict and placing the country under a UN authority.
The Maastricht Treaty Brings the European Union Into Being
On November 1, 1993, the Maastricht Treaty took effect and created the European Union.
The United States and North Korea Sign a Nuclear Agreement
On October 21, 1994, the United States and North Korea signed the Agreed Framework in Geneva to freeze the North Korean nuclear programme.
Jordan and Israel Sign a Peace Treaty
On October 26, 1994, Jordan and Israel signed a peace treaty, making Jordan the second Arab state to recognize Israel.
The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Opens for Signature
On September 24, 1996, the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty opened for signature, banning all nuclear test explosions.
Jiang Zemin Visits the United States
On October 26, 1997, Jiang Zemin arrived in the United States for the first state visit by a Chinese head of state since 1985.
China Signs the Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
On October 27, 1997, China signed the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights at the United Nations in New York.
European Leaders Agree the Lisbon Treaty
On October 19, 2007, European Union leaders meeting in Lisbon approved a new treaty to replace the rejected constitution.