1989: Tiananmen Square Massacre Thousands of Chinese students protested peacefully for democracy and less corruption in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square. The government responded with martial law. On June 4th, troops and tanks moved in—opening fire on civilians. The death toll is still unknown, but it’s believed to be hundreds, possibly thousands. One man stood alone in front of a line of tanks—becoming a global symbol of resistance. China still heavily censors this event today.