UK returns Hong Kong to China

On July 1, 1997, the United Kingdom returned Hong Kong to China at the conclusion of a 99-year lease. The foundation for the transfer of power was set in December of 1984 when China and the UK signed the Sino-British Joint Declaration on Hong Kong. The Declaration affirmed the handover of Hong Kong along with governing principles. Most significantly, the Chinese agreed not to impose their socialist system on Hong Kong.

THIS DAY @ LAW

US signed peace treaty with Germany ending World War I

On August 25, 1921, the United States, which never ratified the Versailles Treaty ending World War I, finally signed its own peace treaties with Germany, Austria and Hungary.

Former East Germany leader convicted of manslaughter for Berlin Wall policy

On August 25, 1997, Egon Krenz, the former of East Germany was convicted of manslaughter for promulgating a policy of shooting any East Germans who attempted to cross the Berlin Wall. Krenz was sentenced to six-and-a-half years in prison, of which he served four before being released into retirement from political life.