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Real Event: Great Wall is finished
Although the exact date is uncertain, we know that the Great Wall of China was finished some time in the 17th century. This relates to the protests of 1989 because it's purpose was to protect China, but it would be the start of China boxing itself in and trying to rule everything inside it. -
Real Event: The Red Army is Formed
The Red Army is formed after the Bolshevik Revolution. This relates to the 1989 events because the Red Army became the PLA, who were the soldiers that attacked the students on June 4th, -
Real Event: Treaty of Versailles Protest
On May 4th, nearly 3,000 college students gather to protest the treaty of Versailles. By the time it ended on June 22nd, the students had effectively shut down the city of Beijing. This relates to the human rights movements of 1989 because it was also about students protesting to the government, but this time it was about their poor response to the treaty. It also happened near Tian An Men square, at Tian An Men gate. -
Real Event: Long March
This was the most famous long march which started in October of 1934, and ended in the same month of 1935. The goal was to escape the Kuomintang. The soldiers marched over 12,500 kilometres. This is relevent to the protests because it started Mao Ze Dong, the father of communist China,'s rise to power. -
Real Event: People's Rebublic is established
The People's Republic of China was established by Mao Ze Dong on October 1st of 149. This event is signifiicant to the human rights acts of 1989 because it was what would eventually bring communism to China. -
Real Event: Beginning of Ten Year Cultural Revolution
Although all sources where unclear as the the exact date, the 10 year cultural revolution started in May of 1966. It was an event that lead to the formation of communist China. It was lead by Mao Ze Dong and relates to the story because it was what began communism. -
Real Event: Zhou Enlai Dies
On the eighth of January, 1976, political figure Zhou Enlai dies of bladder cancer. This event is related to the protests in 1989 because Zhou Enlai was the premier of the People's Republic of China, second to only Mao Ze Dong, meaning he has an important communist figure in China. 8 months later, Mao Ze Dong would also meet his fate. -
Story Event: Alex Jackson is going to China
Today in the book, we learn that Alex Jackson and his dad are going to China to cover Mikhaol Gorbechek's visit. This relates to the protests because they help film it and get tapes back to Canada. -
Real Event: Student demonstration begins
After Hu Yao-bang dies on April 15th, students begin a demonstration to get more democracy and less communism. This is relevent to the human rights acts of 1989 because it was what started it all. -
Real Event: Hunger Strike
Studnets begin to deny food, and some even water, until the government listen to them. This would mean many protestors would have to be carried out via ambulance. -
Real Event: Martial Law
After the students fight harder on May 13th's hunger strike, China must find a better way to counteract them. The way they do that is by putting Beijing under martial law, or complete government control. This is relevent ot the protests because it is how the government tried to stop them. -
Real Event: Goddess of Democracy
The Goddess of Democracy was a statue built by art students during the protest. It relates to the protest because it would become an important symbol in the human rights acts of 1989. It was torn down during the June 4th massacre, but another one would be erected in Hong Kong to commemorate those who died. -
Real Event: June 4th Massacre
Today is the dayy the government is done putting up with the protests, and order soldiers to shoot any or all protestors who do not leave. This is literally the most important part of the human rights movement. -
Story Event: Alex Jackson arrives home
Alex and his dad are able to excape China and get home. This is relevent to the book because they can publish the tapes, letting the whole world know.
