Tiananmen Square is one of the world's largest public squares, located in central Beijing, China. Here's an overview of its history and significance:

## Physical Description
- Covers about 100 acres (440,000 square meters)
- Can hold hundreds of thousands of people
- Named after the Tiananmen ("Gate of Heavenly Peace") on its north side

## Historical Significance
The square has been a gathering place for major historical events since its expansion in 1958-1959, including:
- The founding ceremony of the People's Republic of China on October 1, 1949
- Various political rallies during the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976)
- The 1976 Tiananmen Incident (protests after Premier Zhou Enlai's death)

## 1989 Protests
From April-June 1989, the square was the center of large-scale demonstrations:
- Started as student-led protests calling for democratic reforms, press freedom, and action against corruption
- Grew to include workers and other Beijing residents
- Ended on June 3-4 when the government declared martial law and cleared the square using military force
- Casualty estimates vary widely from hundreds to thousands
- Remains a heavily censored topic within China

## Modern Day
- Major tourist destination with heavy security presence
- Site of daily flag-raising ceremonies
- Surrounded by important buildings including the Great Hall of the People, National Museum, and Mao Zedong's Mausoleum
- Continues to hold symbolic importance both domestically and internationally

The square remains one of Beijing's most recognizable landmarks and a focal point of Chinese political life.
