Tank Man: The Unknown Hero

In 1989 large parts of China fell into chaos. Hu Yaobang former chair men of the Chines Communist Party had just died, he was adored by many of the people for his liberal views and dream of bringing China into the modern era. Thousands stormed the streets all over China to hold public visuals in his honor. The morning and visuals soon turned to protest as people began to protest for democracy and freedom of the press. Protest where held all over the country but the epicenter was in Tienanmen Square the center of the Chines Capital Beijing.

One the oldest public forms in the country students and city goers alike occupied the square for over a month, demanding reforms and moving from Communism to Democracy. Students even went so far as to erect a monument called the “lady of democracy” which became a symbol for the movement.

After months of protest the Communist party had had enough on June 4th the Party ordered the square to be taken back. Serval thousand soldiers where moved to the outskirts of the square with armored personal caries and tanks. The order was handed down by the Party “clear the square by 6 in the morning by any means”. The several thousand soldiers stationed around the square fallowed their orders, even thought the party had only armed them with military grade weapons.

That night they began to clear the square firing blindly into the crowds, and running over them with tanks and armored personnel carriers. Journalist in a near by hotel documenting the event said they could hear the sound of bodies being crushed from almost a mile away. No one know the death tools Chines reports claim 253 dead, however unofficial reports claim it is closer to 10,000.

The Soldiers stayed in the square for 2 days withdrawing with there heavy equipment. This is when tank man shows up. No one knows his name or who he is, but his brave actions would

inspire millions. A column of roughly 15 tanks was leaving the square that morning, in an act of bravery one resident of Beijing took it upon himself to make one last defiant stand. Stepping In front of the column of tanks he held his ground bring the whole column to a halt. going so far as to jump on top of the lead tank and pounding on the hatch. He was eventually pulled away by some bystanders, and rushed away from the scene.

Western Journalist in a near by building captured the infamous picture barely being able to sneak it out of the country. The image would become a symbol of freedom and rebellion around the world, showing the polite and bravery of the Chines people in their ongoing fight for freedom.