As one of the largest city squares in the world, many annual and special celebrations and assemblies are held here. Parades take place here on important days, such as the rallies on May 1, International Labor Day and Oct 1, National Day.
In 1919, the May 4th Movement broke out in Beijing. Students and residents staged a patriotic demonstration in the square. In 1935, students in Beijing launched the December 9th Movement and held a demonstration in the square to against the Japanese aggression and Chiang Kai-shek(Jiang Jie Shi)'s policy of non-resistance. On April 5, 1976, lots of people gathered here to commemorate Zhou Enlai and oppose the “Gang of Four”.
