Gotta Watch: Tiananmen Square protests
June 4th, 2011
02:21 PM ET

Gotta Watch: Tiananmen Square protests

It was a day in China's history that will never be forgotten.  June 4, 1989, Chinese troops opened fire on students and protesters in Tiananmen Square.  The protests began in April following the death of former Communist Party General Secretary Hu Yaobang. Only a handful of people originally showed up to the square in his memory, but as weeks passed hundreds of thousands of people joined the demonstration, which became a mass movement for political reform.  The protests remained peaceful until troops opened fire June 4th. The government reported 241 people were killed and 7,000 were wounded. In today's Gotta Watch we remember the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989.

China's perfect storm - In 1989 the world watched mainly students and intellectuals protest in Tiananmen Square. CNN's Kristi Lu Stout details the most influential moments of the protests and the mystery that still surrounds the "tank man."

Dodging bullets for "tank man" - CNN photojournalist Jonathan Schaer opens up about how he feared for his life while capturing video of the "tank man" on June 5, 1989.

On the ground in Tiananmen Square - A CNN reporter stands inTiananmen Square as hundreds of thousands of people join the protest against Communist rule.

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Filed under: China • Gotta Watch • History • World
soundoff (158 Responses)
  1. RUFFNUTT

    wrong... i have custom ross racing pistons and a forged bottom end, zerogap rings, stainless swirl tuliped vavles, 9 to 1 compression and a blower cam.. 226/230@50 dur .502/.510 lift..

    also the heads have had the exhaust valves enlarged and the heads have been plunge cut and pocket ported..

    when i get my full length headers and chrome sidepipes installed and blaring my megadeth tape,, no chick will be able to resist me..

    June 5, 2011 at 9:48 am | Report abuse |
  2. No it isn't

    The Chinese aren't afraid of being invaded and occupied by the US like other nations. China's military is nothing compared to the USA, NATO, CIA, etc. etc.

    June 5, 2011 at 9:52 am | Report abuse |
  3. saywhat

    Well our main stream media religiously revokes memories of Tinanmen square.
    But they do not have the gall to report Israeli army firing on unarmed protesters & killing six just yesterday or Israeli tanks facing off stone throwing kids routinely.
    Or thousands of Jews coming out in Israel today to protest against the brutal occupation of Palestine land.
    Bravo CNN !

    June 5, 2011 at 10:03 am | Report abuse |
    • RUFFNUTT

      those people over there like to fight and kill each other.. no one really cares as long as my gas stays cheap..

      June 5, 2011 at 10:11 am | Report abuse |
  4. Jeff Frank ( R-Ohio )

    Epiphany's Case Files
    Just promise us, after the local sheriffs dept. got you in custody, you come on here from time to time to give us your view. A lot of people already miss you. Creep.

    June 5, 2011 at 10:19 am | Report abuse |
  5. sandyk

    I love the post from just wondering lol. It is Sunday maybe it has a day off!!

    June 5, 2011 at 10:35 am | Report abuse |
  6. saywhat

    You are on the mark with "as long as my gas stays cheap" @ RUFFNUT
    However those "people over there" are people just like you and me with problems like putting food on the table and seeking a roof over their head. They " do not like killing each other". People in Palestine are struggling against occupation & oppression, seeking liberty & justice and their own land back. This is what gives birth to violence.
    We Americans suddenly wake up &fall in love with the oppressed people of Iraq, China,Libya,Syria ,Afghanistan and are prepared to sacrifice our soldiers and natioinal treasure for liberating them but would keep our faces averted from what has been going on in the occupied territories in Palestine.
    Thanks though to the courageous American Jews in organizations like JStreet,Jewish Voice for Peace and Rabbis of North America for Peace who chose to stand on the side of Truth,Justice & Peace and their efforts against formidable odds, Americans are s;owly beginning to see thru the fog of propaganda.

    June 5, 2011 at 5:10 pm | Report abuse |
  7. Pix

    Patton, just who in the hell do YOU think would be good for our country?
    I'm curious.
    All I ever see are your thoughts on who you DON'T like.
    Please tell me, who DO you like?

    June 5, 2011 at 5:11 pm | Report abuse |
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