Apple Daily Publications

Apple Daily (蘋果日報) was Hong Kong's most prominent pro-democracy newspaper, founded by Jimmy Lai in 1995. On June 24, 2021, after 26 years of publication, the newspaper was forced to close following the arrest of its executives under the National Security Law. These two publications represent pivotal moments in Hong Kong's struggle for press freedom and democracy.

Final Edition - June 24, 2021

"The last Apple grows in Hong Kong" - On its final day, Apple Daily printed 1 million copies (compared to its usual 80,000), and all copies sold out before dawn. The front page featured the headline "Hong Kongers bid a painful farewell in the rain" with photos of supporters gathering outside the newspaper's headquarters.

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Key moments from the final edition:

Farewell messages from staff and supporters
Coverage of the newspaper's 26-year history
Final editorials on press freedom
Photos of crowds gathering to collect the last copies

Freedom Summer 2019 - Special Edition

Published on October 9, 2019, this English-language special edition documents the Anti-Extradition Law Amendment Bill (Anti-ELAB) Movement - the largest protests in Hong Kong's history. All proceeds were donated to the 612 Humanitarian Relief Fund.

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This 30-page publication features:

Declaration of Hong Kong Protesters - The manifesto and five demands
Photo Essays - Major protest events from June to September 2019
Personal Stories - Letters from frontline protesters and students
International Solidarity - Global support for Hong Kong
Calendar of Events - Detailed timeline of the movement

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Historical Significance

The Closure of Apple Daily

On June 17, 2021, 500 police officers raided Apple Daily's headquarters. Five executives were arrested on charges of "collusion with foreign forces." On June 23, the company announced it would cease operations, and the final edition was printed on June 24, 2021.

The closure marked a significant turning point for press freedom in Hong Kong, as the city lost its most outspoken pro-democracy voice.

The 2019 Protests

The Anti-ELAB movement began in March 2019 against a proposed extradition bill that would have allowed suspects to be sent to mainland China for trial. At its peak, an estimated 2 million people (out of a population of 7.5 million) participated in protests. The movement's "Five Demands, Not One Less" became a rallying cry for democracy.