There may not be an extravagant firework display, but nonetheless, today marks a historic day for Hong Kong.  On January 26, 1841, the British Royal Navy landed on Hong Kong Island and Commodore Sir Gordon Bremer raised the first Union Jack flag at Possession Point, marking Britain’s occupation of Hong Kong.

On arrival, Captain Charles Elliot of the British Royal Navy declared the island a “barren rock”.  In August 1841, Sir Henry Pottinger was inaugurated as Hong Kong’s first governor.

Possession Point has since disappeared from the coastline because of land reclamation.  It was situated on Hong Kong Island’s north coast.  To get close to it, head to Possession Street in Sheung Wan– it runs at a right angle between Queen’s Road West and Hollywood Road.