Did the Tiananmen Square protests and crackdown happen in 1989?

Yes, the Tiananmen Square protests and the subsequent military crackdown occurred in 1989.

Here is a brief timeline and overview of the events:

•April 15, 1989: The protests were sparked by the death of Hu Yaobang, a former leader of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) who was seen as a symbol of political reform and anti-corruption. University students gathered in Beijing's Tiananmen Square to mourn him and demand democratic reforms, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and government accountability.

•April–May 1989: The student-led movement quickly grew, attracting millions of supporters from various walks of life—including workers, intellectuals, and ordinary citizens—and spreading to dozens of other Chinese cities.

•May 20, 1989: As the protests continued and the government struggled to regain control, Chinese authorities declared martial law in Beijing.

•June 3–4, 1989: The Chinese government ordered the military (the People's Liberation Army) to clear Tiananmen Square. On the night of June 3 and into the early morning of June 4, troops equipped with tanks and assault rifles advanced on the square, opening fire on unarmed protesters and citizens who tried to block their path.

The crackdown resulted in the deaths of hundreds, and by some estimates thousands, of protesters and civilians, and drew widespread international condemnation.

Citations (4)

1britannica.comEncyclopedias and referencequality 0.83
britannica.com
Backs: “Yes, the Tiananmen Square protests and the subsequent military crackdown occurred in 1989.”
2pbs.orgNews and mediaquality 0.87
pbs.org
Backs: “April 15, 1989: The protests were sparked by the death of Hu Yaobang, a former leader of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) who was seen as a symbol of political reform and anti-corruption.”
3apnews.comNews and mediaquality 1.00
apnews.com
Backs: “April 15, 1989: The protests were sparked by the death of Hu Yaobang, a former leader of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) who was seen as a symbol of political reform and anti-corruption.”
4amnesty.orgNonprofits and think tanks
amnesty.org
Backs: “University students gathered in Beijing's Tiananmen Square to mourn him and demand democratic reforms, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and government accountability.”