Tiananmen Square, Then and Now

Twenty-three years ago today, the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) violently cleared Beijing's Tiananmen Square of protesters, ending a six-week demonstration that had called for democracy and widespread political reform. The protests began in April of 1989, gaining support as initial government reactions included concessions. Martial law was declared on May 20, troops were mobilized, and from the night of June 3 through the early morning of June 4, the PLA pushed into Tiananmen Square, crushing some protesters and firing on many others. The exact number killed may never be known, but estimates range from several hundred to several thousand. Today, China's censors are blocking Internet access to the terms "six four," "23," "candle," and "never forget," broadening extensive efforts to silence talk about the 23rd anniversary of China's bloody June 4 crackdown. Here is that story, in images and words, Please share it widely.

Read more
Hints: View this page full screen. Skip to the next and previous photo by typing j/k or ←/→.
2 more free articles this month
Thank you for reading The Atlantic.

Thank you for reading The Atlantic.

Enjoy unlimited access to all of our journalism.

Most Recent

  • Luca Zennaro / AP

    The Life of Pope Francis, in Photos

    Images of the remarkable life of the first pope to come from the Americas

  • Yawar Nazir / Getty

    Photos of the Week: Holy Week, Tapir Calf, Whale Kites

    A colorful tulip festival in England, the Irish World Dancing Championships in Dublin, ice climbing in Nepal, performances from the first weekend of Coachella, and much more

  • Lauren DeCicca / Getty

    Scenes from Thailand’s Songkran Water Festival

    Images from this year’s Songkran festival, marking the traditional Thai New Year

  • Yukia Watanabe / The Yomiuri Shimbun / Reuters

    Photos: Osaka Expo 2025

    Images from the opening weekend of the 2025 Osaka World Exposition