Thousands of people were massacred in and around Beijing’s main square, Tiananmen, 25 years ago today. Student-lead, unlimited hunger strikes were part of mass pro-democracy protests against the Chinese government in Beijing. Since the bloody event, China has attempted to erase any reference to the Tiananmen crackdown from books, television and the Internet, to rid it from public discussion.

25 Years ago - Protests on Tiananmen Square in Bejing

Students from Beijing University gathered for an unlimited hunger strike as part of mass pro-democracy protests against the Chinese government in Beijing. (Photo: Newscom)

25 Years ago - Protests on Tiananmen Square in Bejing

Wuer Kaixi, a leader of the student protests. Kaixi’s headband reads ‘Jueshi’ (hunger strike). (Photo: Newscom)

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CHINA-TIANANMEN-ANNIVERSARY-FILES

Students forced soldiers of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) sit in front of the Great Hall of the People at Tiananmen Square on June 3, 1989. (Photo: Newscom)

Chinese workers filling the streets of Beijing to support the students' pro-democracy movement and their hunger strike.

Chinese workers filling the streets of Beijing to support the students’ pro-democracy movement and their hunger strike. (Photo: Newscom)

An archived photo, dated May, 19, 1989, shows dpa correspondent Edgar Bauer standing amongst a crowd of protesting students.

An archived photo, dated May, 19, 1989, shows correspondent Edgar Bauer standing amongst a crowd of protesting students. (Photo: Newscom)

A student asks soldiers to go home on June 3, 1989. (Photo: USNews via Twitter)

A student asks soldiers to go home on June 3, 1989. (Photo: USNews via Twitter)

The protests widened in Chinas capital but were eventually violently beaten down. (Photo: The Economist via Twitter)

The protests widened in China’s capital but were eventually violently beaten down. (Photo: The Economist via Twitter)

tankman

A famous photo of a Chinese man, later known as “Tank Man,” who stands alone against military tanks. (Photo: History Pics via Twitter)

Participants hold candles during a vigil to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square crackdown in Hong Kong, China on June 4, 2014. Hong Kong is the only place on Chinese soil where large scale events to commemorate the tragic day.

Participants hold candles during a vigil to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Tienanmen Square crackdown in Hong Kong on June 4, 2014. Hong Kong is the only place on Chinese soil where large-scale events commemorate the tragic day. (Photo: Newscom)

Tiananmen

Chinese paramilitary policemen currently deployed at Tiananmen Square. (Photo: Newscom)

Chinese paramilitary policemen currently deployed at Tiananmen Square. (Photo: Newscom)

Authorities have deployed uniformed and plain-clothes police, paramilitary officers, security guards, and volunteers to monitor and control Beijing's 20 million people. (Photo: Newscom)

Authorities have deployed uniformed and plain-clothes police, paramilitary officers, security guards, and volunteers to monitor and control Beijing’s 20 million people. (Photo: Newscom)

Around 200,000 people were set to take part in a candlelight vigil in Hong Kong on June 4 to commemorate the 25th anniversary. (Photo: Newscom)

A candlelight vigil in Hong Kong to commemorate the 25th anniversary. (Photo: Newscom)

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