On the morning of April 19, 1995, a devastating act of homegrown terrorism occurred in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
The Oklahoma City bombing, which took place in front of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building, resulted in a large number of fatalities and injuries.
The bomb, made from a deadly combination of agricultural fertilizer, diesel fuel, and other chemicals, exploded at 9:02 a.m., leaving the surrounding area resembling a war zone.
A third of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building was reduced to rubble, with many floors completely flattened. Dozens of cars were incinerated, and over 300 nearby buildings suffered damage or were completely destroyed. This heinous act of mass murder claimed the lives of 168 people, including 19 children, and injured hundreds more.
The Oklahoma City bombing was orchestrated by ex-Army soldier and security guard Timothy McVeigh, with assistance from his friend Terry Nichols and acquaintance Michael Fortier. McVeigh parked a rented Ryder truck in front of the building and ignited the bomb before making his getaway in his car.
Thanks to the quick action of authorities, McVeigh was apprehended shortly after the bombing, and traces of the explosive chemicals were found on his clothes.
After a thorough investigation, McVeigh was found guilty on all counts and executed on June 11, 2001. Nichols was also convicted on conspiracy and manslaughter charges and received a life sentence without the possibility of parole. Fortier received a 12-year prison sentence for his involvement in the bombing.
This tragic event remains the deadliest act of domestic terrorism in U.S. history, yet tragically many people are unaware of its significance.
A new HBO documentary titled An American Bombing: The Road to April 19th aims to shed light on this dark chapter in American history and educate a new generation about the devastating impact of the Oklahoma City bombing.
