In the spring of 1989, thousands of students and ordinary citizens gathered in Tiananmen Square to peacefully call for reforms. They wanted less government corruption, more freedom of speech, greater accountability, and a more open political system. After weeks of demonstrations, the government declared martial law. On the night of June 3–4, soldiers and tanks entered the city, and the military violently dispersed the protests.. people were killed and seriously injured. The next morning, on Ju