Libby Moe - Tiananmen Square Protests Timeline by

Establishment of Reforms - 1980s

libbym27857 — 2025-05-19 13:46:00 UTC

The government of China established rules (reforms) that was essentially a limited form of capitalism and significantly impacted the working class. This resulted in a lack of jobs and increased poverty.

Hunger Strike - May 13, 1989

libbym27857 — 2025-05-19 13:49:41 UTC

Student protesters in China decided to start a hunger strike, which was the catalyst for other strikes and protests across China. The Chinese Government began to feel uncomfortable about these strikes as they were not normal and disrupted the normal flow of what they thought should be.

Tiananmen Square Massacre - June 4, 1989

libbym27857 — 2025-05-19 13:52:48 UTC

The Chinese government tried to suppress the protests with their military presence, but this did not work, and they started to increase their violence. The soldiers started to shoot into the crowds, and thousands of protesters were killed and thousands were arrested.

Tienanmen Square Tank Man - June 5, 1989

libbym27857 — 2025-05-19 13:55:15 UTC

After the awful events that took place on June 5th, one man stood in front of tanks in defiance and blocked a row of tanks. He is known as the Tiananmen Square tank man.

National Day - October 1, 1949

libbym27857 — 2025-05-19 13:58:00 UTC

After the Civil War in 1949, the communist party gained control of most of China, and in celebration to honor this occasion was held in Tiananmen Square. This celebration came to be known as a National Day, and is held annually on October 1.

Tiananmen Square Censorship - 1999

libbym27857 — 2025-05-19 14:01:46 UTC

Today, the events that happened on June 4th and 5th still resonate with everyone. The U.S National Security Archive released Tiananmen Square, 1989: The Declassified History. This was what the U.S had on the protests and violent actions of the government.