By: HISTORY.com Editors

1971

The U.N. seats the People’s Republic of China and expels Taiwan

Published: November 13, 2009Last Updated: May 27, 2025

U.N. representatives vote to seat the the People's Republic of China as a permanent member and expels Taiwan, led by the Chinese Nationalist Party.

The U.S.—which had unsuccessfully proposed seating both the PRC and Taiwan—was interested in seeking the PRC’s help in resolving the sticky Vietnam situation, using influence with the PRC as diplomatic leverage against the Soviets and forming lucrative economic relations.

U.S. relations with the PRC soon soared, highlighted by President Richard Nixon’s visit to China in 1972.

Major Milestones in US-China Relations

A look back at some pivotal moments in the complicated relationship between the two superpowers.

By: HISTORY.com Editors

Timeline

Also on This Day in History

Discover more of the major events, famous births, notable deaths and everything else history-making that happened on October 25th

1415

Battle of Agincourt

The Battle of Agincourt, held in northern France in October 1415, brought a decisive victory for the forces of England's Henry V over a far larger French army.

1:52m read

1764

John Adams marries Abigail Smith

On October 25, 1764, future President John Adams marries Abigail Smith. This devoted couple’s prolific correspondence during their married life has provided entertainment and a glimpse of early American life for generations of history buffs. Future first lady Abigail Adams was the daughter of a parson. She was home-taught and read everything from the classics […]

2:02m read

1853

Native Americans attack transcontinental railroad survey crew in Utah

On October 25, 1853, members of the Paiute Indian Tribe attack U.S. Army Captain John W. Gunnison and his party of 37 soldiers and railroad surveyors near Sevier Lake, Utah. Gunnison and seven other men were killed, but the survey party continued with its work and eventually reported its findings to the United States Congress. U.S. officials […]

1:58m read

1854

Charge of the Light Brigade

In an event alternately described as one of the most heroic or disastrous episodes in British military history, Lord James Cardigan leads a charge of the Light Brigade cavalry against well-defended Russian artillery during the Crimean War. The British were winning the Battle of Balaklava when Cardigan received his order to attack the Russians. His […]

0:30m read

1881

Pablo Picasso born

Pablo Picasso, one of the greatest and most influential artists of the 20th century, is born in Malaga, Spain. Picasso’s father was a professor of drawing, and he bred his son for a career in academic art. Picasso had his first exhibit at age 13 and later quit art school so he could experiment full-time […]

1920

Greece’s King Alexander dies after being bitten by a monkey

On October 25, 1920, Greece’s King Alexander dies from wounds he received after a monkey attacked him earlier in the month. He was 27 years old. The incident leading to King Alexander’s death occurred while he was walking on the grounds of the castle outside of Athens. A Barbary macaque that belonged to a resident […]

2:14m read

1929

Cabinet member found guilty in Teapot Dome scandal

October 25, 1929: During the Teapot Dome scandal, Albert B. Fall, who served as secretary of the interior in President Warren G. Harding’s cabinet, is found guilty of accepting a bribe while in office. Fall was the first individual to be convicted of a crime committed while a presidential cabinet member. As a member of […]

1:22m read

1944

First kamikaze attack of the war begins

On October 25, 1944, during the Battle of the Leyte Gulf, the Japanese deploy kamikaze (“divine wind”) bombers against American warships for the first time. It will prove costly—to both sides. This decision to employ suicide bombers against the American fleet at Leyte, an island of the Philippines, was based on the failure of conventional […]

1:28m read

1954

President Eisenhower pledges support to South Vietnam

President Eisenhower pledges support to South Vietnamese President Ngo Dinh Diem’s government and military forces in a letter on October 25, 1954. Eisenhower made it clear to Diem that U.S. aid to his government during Vietnam’s “hour of trial” was contingent upon his assurances of the “standards of performance [he] would be able to maintain […]

1957

Atomic Age sci-fi thriller “The Amazing Colossal Man” premieres in New York

Movie audiences in New York City are treated to the science-fiction thriller The Amazing Colossal Man on October 25, 1957. The film revolves around a character named Colonel Manning, who strays too close to the test of an atomic device in the Nevada desert and is bombarded with “plutonium rays.” This was but one of […]

1:16m read

1964

Minnesota Vikings’ Jim Marshall runs wrong way with recovered fumble

On October 25, 1964, after recovering a fumble against the 49ers in San Francisco, Minnesota Vikings star defensive end Jim Marshall runs 66 yards the wrong way into his own end zone. The four-year veteran believes he has scored a touchdown, so he throws the ball out of bounds in celebration, resulting in a safety […]

1:28m read

1980

Australian rock gods AC/DC earn their first Top 40 hit with “You Shook Me All Night Long”

On October 25, 1980, AC/DC earn their first pop Top 40 hit with “You Shook Me All Night Long”—clocking in at number 39. Back when they were releasing albums like Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap (1977), AC/DC would have seemed an unlikely candidate to become one of the top-selling pop-music acts of all time. But […]

1:48m read

1983

United States invades Grenada

President Ronald Reagan, citing the threat posed to American nationals on the Caribbean nation of Grenada by that nation’s Marxist regime, orders U.S. forces to invade and secure their safety. There were approximately 1,000 Americans in Grenada at the time, many of them students at the island’s medical school. In little more than a week, […]

1:46m read

1994

Susan Smith reports a false carjacking to cover her murder

Susan Smith reports that she was carjacked in South Carolina by a Black man who took her two small children in the backseat of her car. Although authorities immediately began searching for three-year-old Michael and one-year-old Alex, they could find no trace of them or of Smith’s car. After nine days of intense national media […]

1:06m read

Asian History

20 videos

Asian History

What Is Sanskrit?

This ancient language shaped religion, literature and philosophy across South Asia.

Asian History

China’s Overlooked Role in World War II

China was a vital, but often forgotten, member of the Allies battling Japan—two years before the official start of World War II.

Asian History

5 Ways Japanese Culture Took Hold in America: From Sushi to Cinema

From sushi to cinema, Japanese culture has left a lasting mark on the United States.

About the author

HISTORY.com Editors

HISTORY.com works with a wide range of writers and editors to create accurate and informative content. All articles are regularly reviewed and updated by the HISTORY.com team. Articles with the “HISTORY.com Editors” byline have been written or edited by the HISTORY.com editors, including Amanda Onion, Christian Zapata, Cristiana Lombardo and Adrienne Donica.

Fact Check

We strive for accuracy and fairness. But if you see something that doesn't look right, click here to contact us! HISTORY reviews and updates its content regularly to ensure it is complete and accurate.