Tian'anmen Square, the largest square in the world, encompasses 440,000 square metres, about the size of 60 soccer fields, 880 metres from north to south and 500 metres from east to west, big enough to hold half a million people. The square has witnessed the Chinese people's struggle against foreign aggression and reactionary rule at home. 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 against the Japanese aggression and Chiang Kai-shek's policy of non-resistance.  They held a demonstration in the square. On April 5,1976, lots of people gathered here to commemorate Zhou Enlai (1898-1976) and oppose the "Gang of Four (referring to Jiang Cling ½­Çà, Zhang Chunqiao ÕÅ´ºÇÅ, Yao Wenyuan Ò¦ÎÄÔª, and Wang Hongwen ÍõºéÎÄ). "Many domestic and overseas visitors to Tian'anmen Square would like to have their pictures taken in front of the white marble Jinshuiqiao (Golden Water Bridges). The bridges were named after the Golden Water River they span. Seven bridges, each supported by three arches, cross the Outer Golden Water River in front of Tian'anmen, Zhongshan Park, arid the Beijing Working People's Palace of Culture.  Five one-arched bridges cross the Inner Golden Water River inside the Forbidden City between Wumen (Meridian Gate) and Taihemen (Gate of Supreme Harmony).  The outer bridges, together with two graceful Huabiao (ornamental columns) and two stone lions nearby, set off Tian'anmen, making it look more imposing. The inner bridges make the spacious square look harmonious.
   During the Ming and Qing dynasties, the middle one of the seven outer bridges, which is larger than the others was called Yuluqiao (Bridge of the Imperial Way) Óù·ÇÅ and was used exclusively by the emperor. The two bridges on each side were called Wanggongqiao ( Royal Bridges)Íõ¹¬ÇÅ and were used by the royal family members. The two bridges farther out were the Pinjiqiao (Ranking Bridges) Æ·¼¶ÇÅ and were used by civil and military officials above the third rank. Those of the fourth rank and below could use only the outer two bridges, which were called Gongshengqiao (Public Bridges)¹«ÉýÇÅ.
   The Beijing municipal government launched a nine-month project to renovate Tian'anmen Square in the heart of the capital. The reconstruction, started in October 1998 and was completed by June 1999, in time for the grand celebrations to mark the 50th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1,1999, improved the worn-out pavement, public address system, and lighting around the periphery of the world's largest square, installing new foundations and repairing  underground pipelines.
  The eastern and western Tain'anmen Square subway stations were built. The Tian'anmen section, part of the Fuxingmen and Bawangfen subway project, was built to help ease excess traffic in the downtown area of the national capital. The western station has two levels, one with three entrances and exits. The three-floor eastern station has seven entrances and exits.