For two years there had been a truce in the tong gang wars among Chinese immigrants in America, and on March 23rd, 1927, it was due to expire. What would follow – peace or war?

The answer was soon forthcoming. In the last days of March, Chinese immigrants began parading themselves in their most colourful clothes, which in tong tradition was an ominous sign. On March 24th rival gangs in Manchester, Connecticut, struck out at each other, killing indiscriminately in a new reign of terror.

Determined to stop the wars in their tracks, US police arrested two assassins, Chin Lung, 32, and Soo Hoo Wing, 22, both belonging to the Hip Sing gang. They were tried for murder and hanged on Tuesday, November 8th, 1927.