Hu Yaobang was a political leader in China. He was born on November 20th, 1915 and died of a heart attack on April 15th, 1989. He didn't have much education in his younger years since his family were poor peasants. He became a member of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) in 1933 but was appointed as general secretary of the CCP in 1980. He listened to what the protesters had to say and wanted to change the government so that the people would have more freedom. Yaobang was forced to resign for this way of thinking and his death resulted in a sudden wave of protests and demonstrations. The funeral was held in the Great Hall of People on April 22nd. Statues were made for this important figure who was also known as a symbol of hope.