Introduction

Tiananmen Square is located directly south of the entrance to the Forbidden City, which is the home of the Imperial palace of the old capital of China. In China's long history Tiananmen square has seen many significant political events in its time, but nothing like the bloodshed of 1989. This square is truly ironic because of the English translation. Tiananmen means "Gate of Heavenly peace". Beginning in April, with college students from the surrounding area, nobody expected this protest to turn into one of the bloodiest scenes of political strife strife China has ever witnessed. June 4th 1989 will always bear a black mark of disgrace and outrage. This was a low time for the Chinese government, when they sent troops in to quell a protest for democracy. Thousands were killed or injured. But the sheer numbers of people who stood in the square and surrounding streets, fighting for what the believed in is so inspiring. Tiananmen square will be remembered as a time when a nation rose against the bonds of the communist chains that had shackled them for far to long.