Annually, on April 19, National Oklahoma City Bombing Commemoration Day is observed. This day honours those who perished, were injured, and volunteered during the catastrophic incident. The terrorist attack was carried out by Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols, two antigovernment extremists. They did this with racial supremacists and terrorist sympathisers on the right.
At 9:02 a.m., a device exploded at the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, killing at least 168 people, injuring over 680 others, and destroying more than a third of the building.
The background of National Oklahoma City Bombing Commemoration Day
On April 19, 1995, ex-Army soldier and security officer Timothy McVeigh parked a rented Ryder truck in front of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in downtown Oklahoma City. There, he decided to commit mass slaughter. The explosive was extremely potent. It was a lethal mixture of agricultural fertiliser, diesel fuel, and additional compounds. McVeigh exited the rented vehicle containing the bomb, secured the door, and proceeded to his getaway vehicle. He ignited the first timed fuse, then the second. At 9:02, the device detonated.
In a matter of seconds, a third of the building was reduced to debris, along with many floors. The surrounding area appeared to be in ruins. More than 300 adjacent buildings were damaged or destroyed, along with dozens of automobiles. The human consequences were even more devastating: 168 lives were lost, including 19 minors, and hundreds more were injured.
It was the worst incident of terrorism in the history of the United States. The F.B.I. arrived swiftly to assist rescue efforts and investigate the incident. They discovered clues in the area they searched. The rear axle of the Ryder truck allowed the vehicle identification number to be traced to a body shop in Junction City, Kansas, on April 20. Employees assisted the F.B.I. in rapidly creating a composite drawing of the van-renting individual. Local hotel employees provided the name Tim McVeigh after F.B.I. agents began showing the illustration around town.
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5 TERRORIST ATTACKS IN HISTORY
AMIA explosion
It occurred in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1994.
U.S. Embassy Bombings
It occurred in Kenya and Tanzania in 1998.
September 11 assaults
It occurred in New York, United States, in 2001.
Christmas slaughters
In 2008, it occurred in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
7/7 strikes
These events occurred in London and resulted in the deaths of 56 people.
NATIONAL OKLAHOMA CITY BOMBING COMMEMORATION DAY DATES
Year | Date | Day |
---|---|---|
2023 | April 19 | Wednesday |
2024 | April 19 | Friday |
2025 | April 19 | Saturday |
2026 | April 19 | Sunday |
2027 | April 19 | Monday |