Examines the events of June 4, 1989, when thousands of young people who had gathered in Bejiing's Tiananmen Square to protest the rigid policies of the Chinese government were fired upon by military troops, resulting in hundreds of deaths, and discusses the effects of the action on the rest of the world.

Protest in the square -- Emperors and peasants -- Mao's China -- Deng's China -- Changing times -- Voices of protest-- 1988-1989: A hard winter -- April 1989: The protest begins -- An anniversary and a visit -- The government takes action -- A goddess arrives -- The army moves closer -- June 4, 1989: Crackdown -- Days of terror -- The trouble spreads -- The world reacts -- Changes in China -- What if? -- Legacy.