The Tiananmen Square protests were ignited by the death of Hu Yaobang, a pro-reform Chinese Communist Party leader, in April 1989.
The protests lasted from April to June 1989, becoming the most renowned demonstrations against the Chinese government.
Initially student-led, the movement later included workers, attracting about one million people at its peak in Tiananmen Square.
Protesters demanded reforms including the return of "iron rice bowl" jobs, constitutional governance, democracy, government accountability, and freedoms of press and speech.
At the time, China was experiencing significant economic and social issues like inflation, unemployment, corruption, and political restrictions.
The Chinese government attempted peaceful negotiations, which failed, leading to the imposition of martial law and the deployment of troops.
The government's crackdown culminated in a massacre on June 4, with reported deaths ranging from hundreds to thousands and many more injured.
The massacre was widely condemned by Western countries and extensively covered by their media, contrasting with China’s domestic media suppression.
The crackdown marked the start of ongoing suppression of political expression in China.
Tiananmen Square remains a symbol of resistance and inspiration for global protest movements.