What happened in Tiananmen Square in 1989?
The Tiananmen Square protests of 1989 were a series of student-led pro-democracy demonstrations in the People’s Republic of China, which occurred between April 15, 1989 and June 4, 1989. The protests ended in violence when the 27th Army of the People’s Republican Army used force to restore order in the capital city. On May 4, approximately 100,000 students and workers peacefully marched in Beijing demanding democratic reforms and protesting government corruption. On May 20 the government declared martial law. However, the demonstrations continued. After deliberation among Communist party leaders, the government ordered a forceful military resolution. Troops and tanks from China’s 27th Army advanced into Tiananmen Square. On June 3 and 4, the People’s Liberation Army violently confronted the pro-democracy supporters. Estimates of civilian deaths vary: 400-800 (New York Times & Hammond sources (
