On June 5, 1989, the Chinese government launched a military crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrators in Tiananmen Square in Beijing. The events leading up to this violent suppression began in April 1989, when thousands of students and other citizens gathered in the square to demand political and economic reforms, greater democracy, and an end to government corruption.
The Tiananmen Square protests were initially peaceful and were characterized by calls for political and economic change. The demonstrators erected a large makeshift statue called the "Goddess of Democracy" in the square, which symbolized their desire for freedom and democracy. The protests grew in size and drew support from various segments of society, including intellectuals, workers, and others.
However, as the protests continued, the Chinese government, under the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party, perceived them as a threat to the regime's stability and control. On June 3-4, 1989, the government declared martial law and mobilized the People's Liberation Army (PLA) to forcefully clear Tiananmen Square of protesters. The military operation was characterized by the use of live ammunition, tanks, and armed troops.
The Chinese government has never released an official death toll, but estimates of the number of people killed in the crackdown vary widely, with some sources suggesting that hundreds or possibly even thousands of people lost their lives. Many more were injured or arrested during the violent suppression.
The events in Tiananmen Square on June 5, 1989, and in the days leading up to it, were a significant and tragic moment in modern Chinese history. They resulted in a severe crackdown on political dissent and marked a turning point in the Chinese government's approach to handling calls for democracy and human rights. The Chinese government has since maintained strict censorship and control over discussions of the events of June 1989, making it a sensitive and heavily censored topic in mainland China.