Today in History: martial law in Beijing 26 May

Although the numbers were diminishing, about twenty thousand studentdemonstrators – many of them from outside the Beijing area – continuedto occupy Tiananmen Square throughout the day. Many left at nightfall.In an attempt to build up some of the enthusiasm lost in the past fewdays, students voted to stay in the square and put pressure on thegovernment by organising a massive worldwide demonstration.Speeches ans other documents criticising Zhao circulated amongministers and senior officials in preparation for a formal decision todismiss Zhao as Communist Party leader.The Beijing military region finally expressed its support for Li Peng; it was the last one to do so.