Oral+History+Research

O n April 19, 1995 a bomb went off at the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City. It was considered domestic terrorism and had Americans on their heels. A militia movement against the FBI and of Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms began. Until 9/11 this was the domestic terrorist attack in the history of the US.

Timothy McVeigh was the cause of the bombing. Early on in the investigation, Muslims, Bin Laden, and Al Qaida was suspects high on the list of culprits. The bomber however, was an American, Timothy McVeigh. This came as a surprise to Americans. McVeigh was a veteran of the Persian Gulf War, along with his buddy, Terry Lynn Nichols. They were both charged, found guilty, Nichols was charged with conspiracy and manslaughter and sentenced to life. McVeigh was sentenced to death and was executed on June 11, 2001.

McVeigh began plotting in September of 1994 and also bought the first ton of ammonium nitrate from a farm. In October, another ton of fertilizer is and racing fuel is bought. In April of 1995, he got his getaway car and checks into his hotel, Dreamland Motel. He leaves the car in OKC and drives back to Kansas with a friend. The bombing occurs on the nineteenth and kills 168 people, including 19 kids, and injuring countless others. Later that day, he is arrested in Oklahoma.

Sources:

"Oklahoma City bombing." American History.ABC-CLIO, 2012. Web. 1 June 2012.

"The Oklahoma City Bombing." The Indianapolis Star. Indystar.com, 9 Aug. 2004. Web. 1 June 2012. .

Oklahoma City Bombing ." About.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 June 2012.

Other Media

Here are some images and a video from the day of the bombings:

video link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWwrEEP8EBk image 1 source: "Timothy McVeigh." Image. AP/Wide World Photos. American History. ABC-CLIO,2012. Web. 1 June 2012. image 2 source: "Oklahoma City bombing disaster." Image. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). American History. ABC-CLIO,2012. Web. 1 June 2012.



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