| Date | Record | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 1989-04-15 | Death of Hu Yaobang; Beijing students mourn in Tiananmen Square | Wikipedia |
| 1989-04-22 | Hu Yaobang memorial service; student representatives kneel on the steps of the Great Hall of the People to present a petition | Wikipedia |
| 1989-04-26 | People's Daily editorial “It is necessary to take a clear-cut stand against disturbances” | Wikipedia |
| 1989-04-27 | Mass student march in Beijing | Wikipedia |
| 1989-05-04 | May Fourth 70th anniversary march; Zhao Ziyang speech to the Asian Development Bank | Wikipedia |
| 1989-05-13 | Hunger strike begins in Tiananmen Square | Wikipedia |
| 1989-05-15 – 18 | Mikhail Gorbachev's state visit | Wikipedia |
| 1989-05-19 | Zhao Ziyang visits the hunger strikers (“We came too late”); martial law announced that night | Wikipedia |
| 1989-05-20 | Martial law takes effect | Wikipedia |
| 1989-05-30 | “Goddess of Democracy” erected in the square | Wikipedia |
| 1989-06-02 | Hunger strike by Liu Xiaobo, Hou Dejian, Zhou Duo and Gao Xin | Wikipedia |
| 1989-06-03 night | Troops advance on the square; shooting at Wukesong, Muxidi and elsewhere on Chang'an Avenue | Wikipedia · National Security Archive |
| 1989-06-04 early | Square cleared; students withdraw | Wikipedia |
| 1989-06-05 | “Tank Man” on Chang'an Avenue | Wikipedia: Tank Man |
| 1989-06-13 | Wanted list of 21 student leaders issued | Wikipedia: Dissidents |
| 2005-01-17 | Zhao Ziyang dies under house arrest | Wikipedia |