Twenty-five years ago, nearly a million protesters, many of whom were students, crowded the streets of Tiananmen Square; however, they were unaware of the tragic consequences they would be forced to face just weeks later. The group of protesters held daily vigils, marched and chanted for three weeks, then armed Chinese troops stormed the square. Many of the student protesters tried to escape, but some chose to fight back against the Chinese forces. According to Marquand, “The victims were not just students, but ordinary people who were outraged that soldiers of a people's army had been given a mandate to shoot people” (Hay 47). The Tiananmen Square massacre remains a significant historical event because it was the first major pro-democracy protest in China, and the incident sparked similar protests across the country. The events before, during and after the massacre were both inspiring and tragic. In mid-May 1989, three weeks before the harrowing Tiananmen Square massacre, nearly a million protesters gathered in the square. Most of the pro-democracy protesters were young students. This was the first of three major events that occurred during the accident. The next major event took place when the Chinese government sent tanks into central Beijing. In early June, Chinese troops and Chester 2 security police charged into central Beijing, firing aimlessly at the group of protesters. Most of the young protesters attempted to run away, but some attempted to fight back. “I couldn't believe the students were so brave. They rushed towards the vehicles. Many were killed” (Hay 142). The cruel killing of the protesters was the final event of the massacre. Tiananmen Square...... center of card ......ssion, also a result of the brutal killings in Tiananmen Square, took place in Chicago. Thousands of students from Midwestern universities marched in this mock parade to mourn the loss of the Chinese protesters. The protest that took place in central Beijing has had an impact in China as well as in many other countries, and reflects the Chinese people's discontent with their government. The Tiananmen Square massacre was a tragic event, however it must be remembered to prevent similar events from happening again in the future. Works Cited Hay, Jeff, ed. The Tiananmen Square protests of 1989. Detroit: Gale Cenage Learning, 2010. Print.Szczepanski, Kallie. “The Tiananmen Square Massacre, 1989.” About.com. About.com, 2014. Web. February 26, 2014. "The Tiananmen Square Massacre Happens." This day in history. A&E Television Networks, 2014. Web. Jan. 13. 2014.