Tiananmen Square Protests Begin: China's Dream of Reform
Pro-democracy demonstrations began in Tiananmen Square in Beijing on April 15, 1989, initially as mourning gatherings for the reformist leader Hu Yaobang. By mid-May, over a million students and workers occupied the square demanding political reform, press freedom, and an end to corruption. On the night of June 3-4, the People's Liberation Army moved in with tanks and automatic weapons, clearing the square and surrounding streets. Casualty estimates range from several hundred to several thousand. The Chinese government censored all discussion of the events. A lone protester standing before a column of tanks became one of the most iconic photographs of the 20th century. The crackdown ended China's political reform movement and consolidated the party's control for decades.
April 21, 1989
37 years ago
Key Figures & Places
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