During its brief time under British rule, Hong Kong has witnessed war, the rise and fall of empires, and has palyed a role in intrigues, big deals and diplomacy of global proportions. CNN International presents an 11-part history: "Hong Kong: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow".

part 1: The Opium Wars
Narrated by CNN International anchor Veronica Pedrosa
Hong Kong became a British colony as a token war prize, almost as an afterthought. But it maintained that colonial status for 156 years.

part 2: 1840-1940
Narrated by CNN International anchor Veronica Pedrosa
The Union Jack was first raised on Hong Kong Island in 1841, by a British naval expedition during the First Opium War. The colony's early days were noted mostly for their hard times.

part 3: World War II
Narrated by CNN Hong Kong Bureau Chief Mike Chinoy
Hong Kong quickly fell to the Japanese, endured a brutal occupation, and was reclaimed by the British at war's end -- despite plans to return it to Chinese rule.

part 4: The Post-War Years
Narrated by CNN International anchor Michael Holmes
Modern-day Hong Kong was created from the ashes of World War II -- out of an urgent necessity to deal with one of the greatest refugee crises of its time.

part 5: Revolution
Narrated by CNN International anchor Michael Holmes
The chaos of China's Cultural Revolution spilled over into the territory's streets during the 1960s -- triggering violent unrest.

part 6: The 1970s
Narrated by CNN International anchor Michael Holmes
Hong Kong came of age during the 1970s, as the colony dealt with government corruption, a booming economy -- and changes in its relationship with China.

part 7: The Deal
Narrated by CNN Hong Kong Bureau Chief Mike Chinoy
Hong Kong's transition to Chinese rule was officially sealed in 1984, when Beijing and London signed a Joint Declaration.

part 8: Tiananmen
Narrated by CNN Hong Kong Bureau Chief Mike Chinoy
China's violent crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrators in Beijing's Tiananmen Square in 1989 shook Hong Kong's confidence in its future.

part 9: Chris Patten
Narrated by CNN Hong Kong Bureau Chief Mike Chinoy
Hong Kong's last colonial governor is Chris Patten, whose impact on the territory will be felt for years to come.

part 10: Government-in-waiting
Narrated by CNN Hong Kong Bureau Chief Mike Chinoy
Chinese influence over Hong Kong increased palpably in recent years, as the British prepared to end their rule over the territory.

part 11: The final hours
Narrated by CNN Hong Kong Bureau Chief Mike Chinoy
As the end of British colonial rule approaches, many in Hong Kong have mixed emotions regarding the future under Chinese rule.