Located at the downtown area of Beijing, Tiananmen faces the Chang'an Avenue. It was once the front gate of the Forbidden City during the Ming (1368 - 1644) and Qing Dynasties (1644 - 1911), where many important ceremonies were held such as the enthronization ceremony of a new emperor, emperors' wedding ceremonies, and the ceremony of an emperor's personal military expedition. On Oct. 1st, 1949, Chairman Mao announced the establishment of the PRC, standing on Tiananmen which is then the symbol of China.