On This Day

Treaty of Shimonoseki is signed ending the First Sino-Japanese War (1894-95)

The First Sino-Japanese War (25 July 1894 – 17 April 1895), or the First China–Japan War, was a conflict between the Qing dynasty of China and the Empire of Japan primarily for influence over Korea.

The First Sino-Japanese War (25 July 1894 – 17 April 1895), or the First China–Japan War, was a conflict between the Qing dynasty of China and the Empire of Japan primarily for influence over Korea. In China it is commonly known as the Jiawu War. After over 6 months of unbroken successes by Japanese land and naval forces and the loss of the ports of Lüshunkou (Port Arthur) and Weihaiwei, the Qing government sued for peace in February 1895 and signed the Treaty of Shimonoseki two months later, ending the war. In the late 19th century, Korea remained one of the Qing tributary states, while Japan viewed it as a target of imperial expansion. In June 1894, the Qing government, at the request of the Korean emperor Gojong, sent 2,800 troops to aid in suppressing the Donghak Peasant Revolution.

Historical Significance

The First Sino-Japanese War (25 July 1894 – 17 April 1895), or the First China–Japan War, was a conflict between the Qing dynasty of China and the Empire of Japan primarily for influence over Korea.

Events Before

  1. Denmark adopts Central European Time

    Central European Time (CET) is a standard time observed in Central as well as parts of Western and Southeast Europe, which is one hour ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).

  2. William Kennedy Dickson captures "Fred Ott's Sneeze" as a motion picture at Thomas Edison's Black Maria Studio in West O

    William Kennedy Dickson captures "Fred Ott's Sneeze" as a motion picture at Thomas Edison's Black Maria Studio in West Orange, New Jersey [1]

  3. 1st college basketball game, University of Chicago beats Chicago YMCA 19-11

    1st college basketball game, University of Chicago beats Chicago YMCA 19-11

  4. J. L. Johnstone of England invents the starting gate for horse racing

    J. L. Johnstone of England invents the starting gate for horse racing

  5. Jules Massenet's opera "Thaïs" premieres in Paris, includes piece “Méditation” for violin and orchestra

    "Méditation" (pronounced [meditasjɔ̃]) is a symphonic intermezzo from the opera Thaïs by French composer Jules Massenet. The piece is written for solo violin, orchestra and backstage chorus.

Events After

  1. German physicist Wilhelm Röntgen announces his discovery of X-rays

    German physicist Wilhelm Röntgen announces his discovery of X-rays

  2. American Emile Grubbe is the first doctor to use radiation treatment for breast cancer

    American Emile Grubbe is the first doctor to use radiation treatment for breast cancer

  3. Giacomo Puccini's opera "La Boheme" premieres in Turin

    Giacomo Puccini's opera "La Boheme" premieres in Turin

  4. Charilaos Vasilakos of Greece wins the first modern marathon in 3:18 at the Panhellenic Games

    Charilaos Vasilakos was a Greek athlete and the first man to win a marathon race. He also won a silver medal for a second place finish in marathon at the 1896 Summer Olympics in Athens.

  5. Writer "Heart of Darkness" Joseph Conrad (39) marries Englishwoman Jessie George (23)

    Joseph Conrad was a Polish-British novelist and story writer. He is regarded as one of the greatest writers in the English language and – though he did not speak English fluently until his twenties...

More from the 1890s

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on April 17, 1895?
The First Sino-Japanese War (25 July 1894 – 17 April 1895), or the First China–Japan War, was a conflict between the Qing dynasty of China and the Empire of Japan primarily for influence over Korea. In China it is commonly known as the Jiawu War. After over 6 months of unbroken successes by Japanese land and naval forces and the loss of the ports of Lüshunkou (Port Arthur) and Weihaiwei, the Qing government sued for peace in February 1895 and signed the Treaty of Shimonoseki two months later, ending the war.
Why is Treaty of Shimonoseki is signed ending the First Sino-Japanese War (1894-95) significant?
The First Sino-Japanese War (25 July 1894 – 17 April 1895), or the First China–Japan War, was a conflict between the Qing dynasty of China and the Empire of Japan primarily for influence over Korea.

Explore More