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A month before the bloodshed in Beijing, a 10 km long line of protesters stretched across the city. For more than a decade, China had been opening the door to global trade and held the promise that, with greater economic freedom, democratic rights might also be within reach. In an emotional testimony, student organizer Wu’er Caixi explains why he felt the protests and demonstrations were encouraging leaders toward a more progressive China. On May 4, 1989, with huge numbers of people on the streets, it was a moment when many dared to believe that the fight for democracy could be won. But, as Wuer Kaixi told Tom Bonet, it was a brief high point. A month later, tanks and soldiers took to the streets and gave a bloody message – protest will not be tolerated. The accounts of eyewitnesses were brought to life through the archive. Witnessing History is for those who are fascinated and curious about the past. We take you to the events that shaped our world through the eyes of the people who were there. For nine minutes every day, we take you through time and around the world to examine wars, coups, scientific discoveries, cultural moments and much more. Recent episodes reveal everything from how the Excel spreadsheet was developed, to the creation of cartoon rabbit Miffy and how the sound barrier was broken. We take a look at the lives of some of history’s most famous leaders, artists, scientists and personalities, including: the moment Reagan and Gorbachev met in Geneva, the life of Haitian singer Emerante de Pradines and Omar Sharif’s famous film entrance in Lawrence of Arabia. You can learn about all the fascinating and amazing stories, like the invention of the stent that has saved lives around the world; Birth of the G7; And underwater meeting of Maldivian ministers. We cover everything from World War II and Cold War stories to Black History Month and our travels into space. (Photo: Students protest in Beijing in May 1989. Credit: Getty Images)
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