1989 Tiananmen Square protests
The Government's loudspeaker announced The beginning of the Clearance of the Square
Tian'anmen Square, Beijing, China
At 4 am, the lights on the Square suddenly turned off, and the government's loudspeaker announced: "Clearance of the Square begins now. We agree with the students' request to clear the Square." The students sang The Internationale and braced for a last stand. Hou returned and informed student leaders of his agreement with the troops.