June 4th, 2009, marked the 20th anniversary of the military crackdown on pro-democracy protesters that gathered in Tiananmen Square in Beijing, China. It began in April of 1989, when thousands of students and other citizens started gathering in groups protesting many issues. By mid-May of 1989, hundreds of thousands of protesters occupied the square. Chinese authorities responded and sent soldiers and tanks from the People's Liberation Army. Late on June 3rd, 1989, the tanks and armored personnel carriers rolled into the square.

By chance I was there on a vacation visit on June 4th, 2009; 20 years later. I witnessed higher security coming into the square and the presence of security personnel everywhere at the square, the surrounding streets and even in the Forbidden City. I read later that 18,000 security personnel were deployed on this day. As it turned out, everything went on as usual, as tourist thronged into the square and surrounding places of attraction, unhindered by the presence of high security checks and personnel guarding the place.

Quote by Confucius: "The father who does not teach his son his duties is equally guilty with the son who neglects them."