Dean's World

Defending the liberal tradition in history, science, and philosophy.

The Real Tienanmin Square

The best-remembered and known photo of the events in China's Tienanmin Square in 1989 are the famous photo of the man who stood in front of the tank. It is an inspiring photo, and sad, because that man disappeared and was never seen again, and the tank driver who refused to run him over was, by all accounts, imprisoned and also never seen again.

But it's still not what should be best-remembered about that event. This photo would perhaps be better:

Tienanmin Square memorial

Hong Kong blogger Yan has more to say. And has pictures of one of the rare memorials of that day here.

In Hong Kong they still have enough freedom to remember these things. In most of the rest of China, censorship and fear of government has prevented most from even remembering what happened.

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Andrew Cory (mail) (www):
Hell! This photo just makes the tank man one look even more important. If they were willing to do _that_, then the man walking in front of the tank really ought to have expected to die...
6.7.2005 4:14am
Bill:
Hey! The tank driver who, no doubt, defied orders, is the other hero in the picture. The angels will sing his name.
6.7.2005 4:35am