June 5, 1989: unknown man stops Chinese tanks

On this day in 1989, a single man stood in front of a line of advancing Chinese tanks in Tiananmen Square, soon becoming an international icon for nonviolent resistance to oppression.

Protests began on April 22, 1989, after the death of Hu Yaobang, a former General Secretary of the Communist Party. Hu had been a liberal voice in a corrupt Chinese government; although his colleagues forced his resignation, he won the support of young Chinese intellectuals.

Each day, up to 1 million protestors packed into Tiananmen Square in Beijing, calling for expanded freedoms for the Chinese people. Hunger strikes spread to 400 cities nationwide.

On May 20, Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping (he did not have a formal title) declared martial law, and mobilized as many as 300,000 troops to reclaim the capital. On the night of June 3-4, the Army used “any means necessary” to secure the Square, including the use of live ammunition; protestors, for the most part, remained nonviolent.

As tanks approached on June 5, a single man, a shopping bag in each hand, stood in front of the lead vehicle; it swerved, trying to avoid him, but he moved in its path. The tank stopped, and the man climbed on the tank to have a brief conversation with its crew. He was soon removed by two people – perhaps scared bystanders.

No one knows who he is, or what became of him – but his act of courage has inspired countless people around the world since. (It’s worth noting that according to Stuart Franklin, who took the image above, journalists at the time were unaware of the power of this image.)

Don’t even think of talking about this event in China, though: discussion is strictly prohibited.

For more on Tank Man, watch this Frontline documentary.