14 Photos of Tiananmen Square, Before the Tanks Rolled In

Daniel Bonfiglio Published 04/01/2025 in wow

Everyone knows the haunting image of a single man standing in front of a line of tanks in Tiananmen Square. The photo shared around the world came one day after the Chinese Communist Party authorized the removal of Tiananmen Square protestors by any means necessary.

But what came before the massacre on June 4th, 1989? What sparked the Chinese government to kill hundreds, if not thousands of its own citizens?

Here are 17 photos of Tiananmen Square, before the tanks rolled in.

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1. Student Activists
Mourning the death of Communist Party chief and reformer Hu Yaobang. April, 1989.

Jian Liu
2. Student Protest, Tienanmen Square
Students were protesting in general against economic policy, and for greater democratic freedom.

Jiri Tondl
3. May Protests
Broadcast around the country.

Jian Liu
4. The Goddess of Democracy
A figure built by protestors to represent their demands.

Jian Liu
5. Watching the Protests
Beijing, 1989.

Jian Liu
6. Pu Zhiqiang
Student protester at Tiananmen. Taken on May 10th. The words say, "We want the freedom of newspapers, freedom of associations, also to support the 'World Economic Herald,' and support those just journalists."
7. A Focused Student
On hunger strike, 1989.

Jian Liu
8. Motorcycle Parade
The "Flying Tigers" ride to support the students. May, 1989.

Jian Liu
9. Jackie Chan
At the benefit concert in Hong Kong, in support of Tiananmen Square protesters. May, 1989.
10. The Beijing Students’ Autonomous Federation
A collection of university organizing groups.

Jian Liu
11. Hunger Strikes
Mass hunger strikes in mid-May galvanized support for the students around the country, pushing the government into action.

Jian Liu
12. Protestors Block Soldiers
The initial wave of soldiers in late May came unarmed.

Jian Liu
13. Clashing With Police
Student protests.
14. Injured Protestor
Helped by students.

Jian Liu

1. Student Activists
Jian Liu

Mourning the death of Communist Party chief and reformer Hu Yaobang. April, 1989.
2. Student Protest, Tienanmen Square
Jiri Tondl

Students were protesting in general against economic policy, and for greater democratic freedom.
3. May Protests
Jian Liu

Broadcast around the country.
4. The Goddess of Democracy
Jian Liu

A figure built by protestors to represent their demands.
5. Watching the Protests
Jian Liu

Beijing, 1989.
6. Pu Zhiqiang
Student protester at Tiananmen. Taken on May 10th. The words say, "We want the freedom of newspapers, freedom of associations, also to support the 'World Economic Herald,' and support those just journalists."
7. A Focused Student
Jian Liu

On hunger strike, 1989.
8. Motorcycle Parade
Jian Liu

The "Flying Tigers" ride to support the students. May, 1989.
9. Jackie Chan
At the benefit concert in Hong Kong, in support of Tiananmen Square protesters. May, 1989.
10. The Beijing Students’ Autonomous Federation
Jian Liu

A collection of university organizing groups.
11. Hunger Strikes
Jian Liu

Mass hunger strikes in mid-May galvanized support for the students around the country, pushing the government into action.
12. Protestors Block Soldiers
Jian Liu

The initial wave of soldiers in late May came unarmed.
13. Clashing With Police
Student protests.
14. Injured Protestor
Jian Liu

Helped by students.

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14 Photos of Tiananmen Square, Before the Tanks Rolled In

1. Student Activists
Mourning the death of Communist Party chief and reformer Hu Yaobang. April, 1989.

2. Student Protest, Tienanmen Square
Students were protesting in general against economic policy, and for greater democratic freedom.

3. May Protests
Broadcast around the country.

4. The Goddess of Democracy
A figure built by protestors to represent their demands.

5. Watching the Protests
Beijing, 1989.

6. Pu Zhiqiang
Student protester at Tiananmen. Taken on May 10th. The words say, "We want the freedom of newspapers, freedom of associations, also to support the 'World Economic Herald,' and support those just journalists."

7. A Focused Student
On hunger strike, 1989.

8. Motorcycle Parade
The "Flying Tigers" ride to support the students. May, 1989.

9. Jackie Chan
At the benefit concert in Hong Kong, in support of Tiananmen Square protesters. May, 1989.

10. The Beijing Students’ Autonomous Federation
A collection of university organizing groups.

11. Hunger Strikes
Mass hunger strikes in mid-May galvanized support for the students around the country, pushing the government into action.

12. Protestors Block Soldiers
The initial wave of soldiers in late May came unarmed.

13. Clashing With Police
Student protests.

14. Injured Protestor
Helped by students.

1. Student Activists

2. Student Protest, Tienanmen Square

3. May Protests

4. The Goddess of Democracy

5. Watching the Protests

6. Pu Zhiqiang

7. A Focused Student

8. Motorcycle Parade

9. Jackie Chan

10. The Beijing Students’ Autonomous Federation

11. Hunger Strikes

12. Protestors Block Soldiers

13. Clashing With Police

14. Injured Protestor

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eBaum's Picks

1. Student Activists Mourning the death of Communist Party chief and reformer Hu Yaobang. April, 1989.

2. Student Protest, Tienanmen Square Students were protesting in general against economic policy, and for greater democratic freedom.

3. May Protests Broadcast around the country.

4. The Goddess of Democracy A figure built by protestors to represent their demands.

5. Watching the Protests Beijing, 1989.

6. Pu Zhiqiang Student protester at Tiananmen. Taken on May 10th. The words say, "We want the freedom of newspapers, freedom of associations, also to support the 'World Economic Herald,' and support those just journalists."

7. A Focused Student On hunger strike, 1989.

8. Motorcycle Parade The "Flying Tigers" ride to support the students. May, 1989.

9. Jackie Chan At the benefit concert in Hong Kong, in support of Tiananmen Square protesters. May, 1989.

10. The Beijing Students’ Autonomous Federation A collection of university organizing groups.

11. Hunger Strikes Mass hunger strikes in mid-May galvanized support for the students around the country, pushing the government into action.

12. Protestors Block Soldiers The initial wave of soldiers in late May came unarmed.

13. Clashing With Police Student protests.

14. Injured Protestor Helped by students.

1. Student Activists

2. Student Protest, Tienanmen Square

3. May Protests

4. The Goddess of Democracy

5. Watching the Protests

6. Pu Zhiqiang

7. A Focused Student

8. Motorcycle Parade

9. Jackie Chan

10. The Beijing Students’ Autonomous Federation

11. Hunger Strikes

12. Protestors Block Soldiers

13. Clashing With Police

14. Injured Protestor

Share This Image

0 Comments

eBaum's Picks

1. Student Activists
Mourning the death of Communist Party chief and reformer Hu Yaobang. April, 1989.

2. Student Protest, Tienanmen Square
Students were protesting in general against economic policy, and for greater democratic freedom.

3. May Protests
Broadcast around the country.

4. The Goddess of Democracy
A figure built by protestors to represent their demands.

5. Watching the Protests
Beijing, 1989.

6. Pu Zhiqiang
Student protester at Tiananmen. Taken on May 10th. The words say, "We want the freedom of newspapers, freedom of associations, also to support the 'World Economic Herald,' and support those just journalists."

7. A Focused Student
On hunger strike, 1989.

8. Motorcycle Parade
The "Flying Tigers" ride to support the students. May, 1989.

9. Jackie Chan
At the benefit concert in Hong Kong, in support of Tiananmen Square protesters. May, 1989.

10. The Beijing Students’ Autonomous Federation
A collection of university organizing groups.

11. Hunger Strikes
Mass hunger strikes in mid-May galvanized support for the students around the country, pushing the government into action.

12. Protestors Block Soldiers
The initial wave of soldiers in late May came unarmed.

13. Clashing With Police
Student protests.

14. Injured Protestor
Helped by students.