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Hu Yaobang's death
Former Communist Party chief secretary Hu Yaobang, a leading reformist, dies of a heart attack aged 73. Many people loved Yaobang very much.This highlighted the slow pace of reform in China -
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Demonstrations Grow
The number of protesters moves into the thousands, as people protest for more liberty. -
Hu Yaobang's memorial
Tens of thousands of students gather outside the Great Hall of the People in Tiananmen Square as Hu's memorial service is held. -
Provocaive Editorial
The CCP-run newspaper, the People's Daily, publishes an editorial entitled "The Necessity for a Clear Stand Against Turmoil", accusing the protesters of rejecting the Communist Party's ideas. -
Hunger strike
Students press for political reforms by going on a hunger strike just before Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev arrives. -
Zhao visits square
The "official" head of the communist party Zhao Ziyang tries to compromise, saying the protests are too late to make changes. -
Troops push closer
Troops surroundings the city move in on the Square but are blocked off because of protester set barricades. They have been told to hold their fire. -
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Tensions even higher
With silence from the military and government, a soon to be silenced feeling of power to the protesters is present. -
Firing is permitted
The CCP grants access to the troops to shoot at protesters. -
Violence Erupts in the Night
The military is sent in and around the square to start shooting at unarmed protesters, protesters get a taste of what is to happen the next day. -
Violence through the day.
Well over 2,000 unarmed protesters were injured and over 1,000 killed in a single day. This was largest mass killing in Beijing since the CCP took over. -
Tank Man
This was the day where the unidentified man stood in front of giant tanks and a photographer captured the image making it one of the bravest stands of the 20th Century.