Event:
China cedes Hong Kong to British
More Notable Events on January 20:
1997 Comet Hale-Bopp crosses Mars' orbit
1993 William J. Clinton inaugurated as 42nd president
1991 U.S. Patriot missiles begins shooting down Iraqi missiles
1981 52 Americans held hostage in Iran for 444 days are freed
1980 President Jimmy Carter announces U.S. boycott of Olympics in Moscow
