Liu Xiaobo was a Chinese writer, literary critic, and human rights activist born on December 28, 1955. He is best known for his advocacy of political reform and democracy in China. Liu played a significant role in the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests, where he called for greater freedoms and government accountability. In 2009, Liu was sentenced to 11 years in prison for "inciting subversion of state power" due to his involvement in drafting Charter 08, a manifesto demanding political change. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2010 while still imprisoned, highlighting his commitment to nonviolent activism and human rights. Liu Xiaobo passed away on July 13, 2017.