In 1989, Tiananmen Square in Beijing became the site of pro-democracy protests that escalated into a large-scale movement demanding political reforms and greater freedoms. These protests were primarily led by students and intellectuals who sought to address issues such as government corruption and lack of political representation. The situation culminated in a tragic crackdown on June 3-4, when the Chinese government deployed troops and tanks to forcibly remove protesters from the square. This event became known as the Tiananmen Square Massacre, resulting in a significant loss of life and severe repression of dissent, and it remains a highly sensitive topic in China.