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Timeline: The Tiananmen protests Timeline: The Tiananmen protests
(1 day later)
In the spring of 1989, more than one million Chinese students and workers occupied Beijing's Tiananmen Square and began the largest political protest in communist China's history. Six weeks of protests ended with the Beijing massacre of 3-4 June.In the spring of 1989, more than one million Chinese students and workers occupied Beijing's Tiananmen Square and began the largest political protest in communist China's history. Six weeks of protests ended with the Beijing massacre of 3-4 June.
Here the BBC charts the events that led to the deadly crackdown - using archive audio and video from the time.Here the BBC charts the events that led to the deadly crackdown - using archive audio and video from the time.
15 APRIL - HU YAOBANG'S DEATH15 APRIL - HU YAOBANG'S DEATH
Former Communist Party chief Hu Yaobang, a leading reformist, dies of a heart attack aged 73. Mourners begin to gather in Beijing's Tiananmen Square. They are expressing their sadness, but also their dissatisfaction with the pace of reform in China.Former Communist Party chief Hu Yaobang, a leading reformist, dies of a heart attack aged 73. Mourners begin to gather in Beijing's Tiananmen Square. They are expressing their sadness, but also their dissatisfaction with the pace of reform in China.
18-21 APRIL - DEMONSTRATIONS SPREAD Students carry a memorial banner to Hu Yaobang18-21 APRIL - DEMONSTRATIONS SPREAD Students carry a memorial banner to Hu Yaobang
Numbers in Beijing swell into thousands in the following days, and demonstrations spread to cities and universities nationwide.Numbers in Beijing swell into thousands in the following days, and demonstrations spread to cities and universities nationwide.
Students, workers and officials shout slogans calling for greater freedom and democracy and an end to what they called dictatorship - others complain about inflation, salaries and housing.Students, workers and officials shout slogans calling for greater freedom and democracy and an end to what they called dictatorship - others complain about inflation, salaries and housing.
22 APRIL - HU'S MEMORIAL22 APRIL - HU'S MEMORIAL
Tens of thousands of students gather outside the Great Hall of the People in Tiananmen Square as Mr Hu's memorial service is held.Tens of thousands of students gather outside the Great Hall of the People in Tiananmen Square as Mr Hu's memorial service is held.
Their actions come in spite of an earlier warning by the city government that protesters risk severe punishment.Their actions come in spite of an earlier warning by the city government that protesters risk severe punishment.
They deliver a petition of demands and insist on a meeting with Li Peng - which is rejected.They deliver a petition of demands and insist on a meeting with Li Peng - which is rejected.
26 APRIL - INFLAMMATORY EDITORIAL26 APRIL - INFLAMMATORY EDITORIAL
The state-run newspaper, the People's Daily, publishes an important editorial entitled 'The Necessity for a Clear Stand Against Turmoil', accusing the protesters of rejecting the Communist Party.The state-run newspaper, the People's Daily, publishes an important editorial entitled 'The Necessity for a Clear Stand Against Turmoil', accusing the protesters of rejecting the Communist Party.
The article closely mirrors views expressed by Deng Xiaoping, China's unofficial leader. It further fuels public anger.The article closely mirrors views expressed by Deng Xiaoping, China's unofficial leader. It further fuels public anger.
4 MAY MOVEMENT4 MAY MOVEMENT
Tens of thousands of Chinese students in at least five cities stage the biggest pro-democracy demonstrations of their kind since the communists came to power 40 years ago.Tens of thousands of Chinese students in at least five cities stage the biggest pro-democracy demonstrations of their kind since the communists came to power 40 years ago.
The action coincides with the 70th anniversary of the 4 May movement, an intellectual movement that wanted a stronger China.The action coincides with the 70th anniversary of the 4 May movement, an intellectual movement that wanted a stronger China.
But at a meeting with Asian bankers, Zhao Ziyang, the official head of the Communist Party, says the protests will gradually subside.But at a meeting with Asian bankers, Zhao Ziyang, the official head of the Communist Party, says the protests will gradually subside.
13 MAY - HUNGER STRIKE13 MAY - HUNGER STRIKE
Ahead of a visit by Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, hundreds of students begin an indefinite hunger strike in Tiananmen Square, pressing for political reforms.Ahead of a visit by Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, hundreds of students begin an indefinite hunger strike in Tiananmen Square, pressing for political reforms.
They blame their extreme action on the government's failure to respond to their requests for dialogue. The move draws broad public support.They blame their extreme action on the government's failure to respond to their requests for dialogue. The move draws broad public support.
15 MAY - GORBACHEV'S STATE VISIT15 MAY - GORBACHEV'S STATE VISIT
Mikhail Gorbachev arrives in Beijing for the first Sino-Soviet summit in 30 years. His visit is intended to put a formal end to years of hostility between the two communist nations.Mikhail Gorbachev arrives in Beijing for the first Sino-Soviet summit in 30 years. His visit is intended to put a formal end to years of hostility between the two communist nations.
The large protests force the cancellation of plans to welcome him in Tiananmen Square - a huge embarrassment for the government.The large protests force the cancellation of plans to welcome him in Tiananmen Square - a huge embarrassment for the government.
19 MAY - ZHAO VISITS SQUARE19 MAY - ZHAO VISITS SQUARE
Zhao Ziyang makes a last-ditch appeal to the student protestersZhao Ziyang makes a last-ditch appeal to the student protesters
Zhao Ziyang visits students on Tiananmen Square, and makes a final, unsuccessful appeal for a compromise.Zhao Ziyang visits students on Tiananmen Square, and makes a final, unsuccessful appeal for a compromise.
Mr Zhao is accompanied by Li Peng, his hard-line rival, and Wen Jiabao, China's current premier.Mr Zhao is accompanied by Li Peng, his hard-line rival, and Wen Jiabao, China's current premier.
Mr Zhao, who wanted China to introduced far-reaching political reforms, reportedly told the crowd: "We have come too late." It was to be one of his last political acts. Mr Zhao, who wanted China to introduce far-reaching political reforms, reportedly told the crowd: "We have come too late." It was to be one of his last political acts.
20 MAY - TROOPS MOVE IN20 MAY - TROOPS MOVE IN
Martial law is declared in several districts in Beijing and troops move towards the city centre.Martial law is declared in several districts in Beijing and troops move towards the city centre.
A huge number of civilians block their convoys, setting up barricades on streets. The soldiers have been ordered not to fire on civilians.A huge number of civilians block their convoys, setting up barricades on streets. The soldiers have been ordered not to fire on civilians.
24 MAY - 1 JUNE - HEIGHTENED TENSIONS24 MAY - 1 JUNE - HEIGHTENED TENSIONS
Over the next week, the demonstrations continue with almost no visible security presence - there is a jubilant atmosphere in Tiananmen Square.Over the next week, the demonstrations continue with almost no visible security presence - there is a jubilant atmosphere in Tiananmen Square.
However, at government headquarters, China's leaders plan a new offensive to end the demonstrations and end the chaos in China's capital.However, at government headquarters, China's leaders plan a new offensive to end the demonstrations and end the chaos in China's capital.
2 JUNE - OFFENSIVE APPROVED2 JUNE - OFFENSIVE APPROVED
Communist Party elders approve the decision to put down the "counter-revolutionary riot" by force.Communist Party elders approve the decision to put down the "counter-revolutionary riot" by force.
3 JUNE - NIGHT OF BLOODSHED3 JUNE - NIGHT OF BLOODSHED
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Troops open fire on protesters in Tiananmen SquareTroops open fire on protesters in Tiananmen Square
In the evening, thousands of PLA soldiers begin moving towards the centre of Beijing. People flood onto the streets to try to block them, setting up barricades along routes into Tiananmen Square.In the evening, thousands of PLA soldiers begin moving towards the centre of Beijing. People flood onto the streets to try to block them, setting up barricades along routes into Tiananmen Square.
As the army tries to break through in armoured personnel carriers, some troops open fire with guns loaded with live ammunition, killing and injuring many unarmed citizens.As the army tries to break through in armoured personnel carriers, some troops open fire with guns loaded with live ammunition, killing and injuring many unarmed citizens.
4 JUNE - ANGER AND SHOCK4 JUNE - ANGER AND SHOCK
Tiananmen Square is cleared after a night of the worst bloodshed ever seen in Beijing under communist rule.Tiananmen Square is cleared after a night of the worst bloodshed ever seen in Beijing under communist rule.
As the new day begins, the capital is in a state of shock. Thousands of angry and curious residents crowd up to lines of soldiers blocking the north-east entrance. The soldiers open fire again.As the new day begins, the capital is in a state of shock. Thousands of angry and curious residents crowd up to lines of soldiers blocking the north-east entrance. The soldiers open fire again.
There is sporadic gunfire throughout the day.There is sporadic gunfire throughout the day.
The government hails the military intervention as a great victory. An editorial is published saying the army would severely and mercilessly punish "lawless people who plan riots and disturb social order".The government hails the military intervention as a great victory. An editorial is published saying the army would severely and mercilessly punish "lawless people who plan riots and disturb social order".
But Peking Radio's English language service, in an act of defiance, says thousands of innocent civilians were killed. The government-run radio calls the act a gross violation of human rights and a barbarous suppression of the people.But Peking Radio's English language service, in an act of defiance, says thousands of innocent civilians were killed. The government-run radio calls the act a gross violation of human rights and a barbarous suppression of the people.
Afterwards the authorities claim no-one was shot dead in the square itself. There is still debate about exactly how many people were killed. Some say a few hundred, others say a few thousand.Afterwards the authorities claim no-one was shot dead in the square itself. There is still debate about exactly how many people were killed. Some say a few hundred, others say a few thousand.
5 JUNE - "TANK MAN"5 JUNE - "TANK MAN"
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A lone protester blocks the route of tanks heading to Tiananmen SquareA lone protester blocks the route of tanks heading to Tiananmen Square
The army now has complete control of Beijing - but it is yet to witness a staggering act of defiance.The army now has complete control of Beijing - but it is yet to witness a staggering act of defiance.
To this day, the fate remains unknown of the unarmed man who blocked a column of tanks as they moved along Chang'an Avenue towards Tiananmen Square.To this day, the fate remains unknown of the unarmed man who blocked a column of tanks as they moved along Chang'an Avenue towards Tiananmen Square.
9 JUNE - DENG XIAOPING APPEARS9 JUNE - DENG XIAOPING APPEARS
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Deng Xiaoping appears in publicDeng Xiaoping appears in public
China's de facto leader Deng Xiaoping appears for the first time since the brutal crackdown.China's de facto leader Deng Xiaoping appears for the first time since the brutal crackdown.
In a speech to military officers he praises their efforts, and blames the turmoil on counter-revolutionaries who wanted nothing less than to overthrow communism.In a speech to military officers he praises their efforts, and blames the turmoil on counter-revolutionaries who wanted nothing less than to overthrow communism.