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Events on Saturday 2 November 1861 1
1861Xinyou Coup in Qing ChinaCixi and allies seize control of the regencyFollowing the death of the Xianfeng Emperor, the empress dowagers Cixi and Ci'an allied with Prince Gong to overthrow the regents appointed to rule for the child emperor. The coup executed or exiled the leading regents and installed Cixi as a dominant power behind the throne. It marked the beginning of her decades-long influence over Qing China.