Fifteen years ago, as inconceivable as it might have been, it happened.
At 9:02 a.m. April 19, 1995, a bomb ripped apart the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, killing 168 people and injuring hundreds of others.
It’s still considered today as the worst single act of domestic terrorism committed in the United States. It was a senseless, horrendous crime and unbelievable that it had occurred in the downtown sector of Oklahoma’s capital city on a cool and sunny April morning.
Monday, Oklahoma and the rest of the nation will pause to observe the 15th anniversary of the bombing.
It’s only fitting that at 9:02 a.m. Monday we stop a moment to pay tribute to those who were killed and to those who survived the blast set off by Timothy McVeigh, who since has been executed for this horrible crime.
As horrible as the bombing was, it may have strengthened and made us a stronger state. When the national tragedy of Sept. 11, 2001, occurred, Oklahomans knew the feelings of those survivors, rescuers and families of the dead and critically injured. They stood ready to help and assist in any way they possibly could.
Just as life for Oklahomans changed forever following the Oklahoma City bombing, the same can be said for the remainder of the nation. We’re more watchful and better aware of our surroundings today.
Just possibly the nation also is stronger, with the firm resolve to ensure that this kind of act is never repeated on American soil.
The memories of the OKC bombing will be with us forever. Fifteen years have provided some amount of healing to the survivors and those who lost loved ones. But the horror of that day will never be forgotten.
Thanks to state lawmakers and Gov. Brad Henry, the terrible events that unfolded that morning will be captured forever in Oklahoma history books.
State lawmakers this session unanimously approved a bill adding the bombing to the core history curriculum in Oklahoma public schools. It becomes law July 1, following the governor signing the legislation in a ceremony recently at the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum.
The sad part is that it took 15 years to recognize the bombing was not part of the core curriculum for our students. But at last that has been remedied. The legislation requires school districts to add the new curriculum to the next cycle of textbooks they order, although not all districts may be able to purchase them immediately.
Sen. Ron Justice, R-Chickasha, one of the bill’s co-authors, has said the legislation is important to teach students how Oklahoma came together as a state in a time of tragedy.
Rep. Lee Denney, R-Cushing, the bill’s author, said the state owes the bill’s education to the 168 lives lost in the bombing and those who survived it.
“History is a powerful educational tool if we teach the right lessons today, and that’s what this is all about,” Henry said.
We couldn’t say it more appropriately. We wholeheartedly agree as we reflect on the 15th anniversary of the bombing.
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Fifteen years ago, as inconceivable as it might have been, it happened.
At 9:02 a.m. April 19, 1995, a bomb ripped apart the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, killing 168 people and injuring hundreds of others.
It’s still considered today as the worst single act of domestic terrorism committed in the United States. It was a senseless, horrendous crime and unbelievable that it had occurred in the downtown sector of Oklahoma’s capital city on a cool and sunny April morning.
Monday, Oklahoma and the rest of the nation will pause to observe the 15th anniversary of the bombing.
It’s only fitting that at 9:02 a.m. Monday we stop a moment to pay tribute to those who were killed and to those who survived the blast set off by Timothy McVeigh, who since has been executed for this horrible crime.
As horrible as the bombing was, it may have strengthened and made us a stronger state. When the national tragedy of Sept. 11, 2001, occurred, Oklahomans knew the feelings of those survivors, rescuers and families of the dead and critically injured. They stood ready to help and assist in any way they possibly could.
Just as life for Oklahomans changed forever following the Oklahoma City bombing, the same can be said for the remainder of the nation. We’re more watchful and better aware of our surroundings today.
Just possibly the nation also is stronger, with the firm resolve to ensure that this kind of act is never repeated on American soil.
The memories of the OKC bombing will be with us forever. Fifteen years have provided some amount of healing to the survivors and those who lost loved ones. But the horror of that day will never be forgotten.
Thanks to state lawmakers and Gov. Brad Henry, the terrible events that unfolded that morning will be captured forever in Oklahoma history books.
State lawmakers this session unanimously approved a bill adding the bombing to the core history curriculum in Oklahoma public schools. It becomes law July 1, following the governor signing the legislation in a ceremony recently at the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum.
The sad part is that it took 15 years to recognize the bombing was not part of the core curriculum for our students. But at last that has been remedied. The legislation requires school districts to add the new curriculum to the next cycle of textbooks they order, although not all districts may be able to purchase them immediately.
Sen. Ron Justice, R-Chickasha, one of the bill’s co-authors, has said the legislation is important to teach students how Oklahoma came together as a state in a time of tragedy.
Rep. Lee Denney, R-Cushing, the bill’s author, said the state owes the bill’s education to the 168 lives lost in the bombing and those who survived it.
“History is a powerful educational tool if we teach the right lessons today, and that’s what this is all about,” Henry said.
We couldn’t say it more appropriately. We wholeheartedly agree as we reflect on the 15th anniversary of the bombing.
