Today marks the 20th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square Protests of 1989, which culminated in the Tiananmen Square Massacres.
Though the exact death toll is not known, the New York Times cited casualties at about a dozen soldiers and policemen and 400 to 800 civilians.
The Tiananmen Square Protests were prompted by the death of Hu Yaobang, former General Secretary of the Communist Party of China, who was known for his pro-democracy, pro-market and anti-corruption stance.
‘I would definitely participate in political protests, especially if my rights were being squandered and I felt passionate about making a statement,’ senior Diana Shin, international business and Chinese language major said. ‘I actually admire anyone who has felt that involved in politics to make such a stand.’
According to the British Broadcasting Corporation, more than 100,000 people, mostly students from the numerous colleges and universities, gathered in the square to protest their official Communist Party on the eve of Hu’s funeral.
The protest was symbolized by the now-famous footage of a lone, unarmed protester standing in front of a line of tanks, halting their progress.
Time magazine dubbed this individual the Unknown Rebel and named him one of the ‘100 most important revolutionaries of the 20th century.’
‘
