The Peace of Westphalia Is Signed
The Peace of Westphalia was signed on October 24, 1648, ending the Thirty Years' War. It established the modern system of sovereign states.
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.
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.
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 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.
Britain Issues the Balfour Declaration on Palestine
On November 2, 1917, Britain's Balfour Declaration backed a Jewish national home in Palestine.
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.
The Soviet Union Invades Eastern Poland
On September 17, 1939, Soviet forces invaded eastern Poland under the secret protocol of the Nazi-Soviet Pact, partitioning the country.
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 GATT Is Signed
On October 30, 1947, twenty-three nations signed the GATT to cut tariffs and open world trade.
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 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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.