六四事件 History Timeline and Biographies

1989

Beginning of the Protests

The 六四事件 began in April 1989 when thousands of students gathered in Tiananmen Square to demand political reform, freedom of the press, and other democratic rights. The protests gained momentum as citizens from various walks of life joined in solidarity.

April 15, 1989

Death of Hu Yaobang

The protests were sparked by the death of Hu Yaobang, a former Communist Party leader who was ousted for his reformist views. His death led to public mourning and protests in Tiananmen Square, where students began to voice their demands.

May 1989

Escalation of Protests

As May progressed, the protests grew larger, with hundreds of thousands of people participating in demonstrations in Tiananmen Square and across China. The students organized hunger strikes and called for dialogue with the government.

May 20, 1989

The Chinese government declared martial law in response to the escalating protests of 六四事件. Troops were mobilized to Beijing, but they initially faced resistance from the citizens who formed human barricades to protect the protesters.

June 3-4, 1989

The Crackdown Begins

In the early hours of June 4, the Chinese military began a violent crackdown on the protesters in Tiananmen Square. Troops and tanks advanced into the square, leading to a tragic loss of life and the suppression of the movement.

June 4, 1989

The exact number of casualties from the 六四事件 remains unknown. Estimates range from hundreds to potentially thousands of deaths, with many more injured or arrested. The Chinese government has never released official figures.

June 1989

The violent suppression of the 六四事件 drew widespread condemnation from governments and human rights organizations around the world. Many countries imposed sanctions on China, and the event sparked global protests against the Chinese government.

July 1989

In the aftermath of the 六四事件, the Chinese government launched a campaign to suppress dissent, arresting thousands of activists and tightening censorship on media coverage of the protests. Many leaders of the movement went into hiding or were forced into exile.

1990s

Throughout the 1990s, the Chinese government continued to censor discussions about the 六四事件. Commemoration events were banned, and public acknowledgment of the protests was suppressed in education and media.

1999

Despite the censorship in China, international communities began to hold commemorative events for the 六四事件. Activists and organizations outside of China sought to raise awareness of the events and their implications for human rights.

2008

As the 20th anniversary of the 六四事件 approached, various groups organized events to remember the protests and honor the victims. In China, however, public commemoration remained strictly forbidden.

2019

The 30th anniversary of the 六四事件 saw renewed international attention, with vigils and protests held globally. In Hong Kong, a large candlelight vigil took place, drawing thousands, despite increasing restrictions on freedoms in the region.

2020-2024

In the years following the 30th anniversary, the Chinese government has intensified its crackdown on dissent, with activists facing increased surveillance and harassment. Advocacy for recognizing the 六四事件 continues, both within China and abroad.