Oklahoma City bombing
The Oklahoma City bombing was a domestic terrorist attack carried out on April 19, 1995, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, against the Alfred P.
The Oklahoma City bombing was a domestic terrorist attack carried out on April 19, 1995, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, against the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. The explosion killed 168 people, including 19 children, and injured hundreds more. It was the deadliest act of domestic terrorism in U.S. history and remained the deadliest terrorist attack on U.S. soil until 2001.
Background
The attack was driven by anti-government extremist beliefs associated with Timothy McVeigh and his accomplices. It targeted a federal building in downtown Oklahoma City housing government offices and a daycare centre.
The bombing
At 9:02 a.m. on April 19, 1995, a truck bomb exploded at the north entrance of the Murrah Federal Building. The blast destroyed much of the structure and caused severe damage to surrounding buildings.
Casualties and damage
The bombing killed 168 people, including 19 children, and injured hundreds more. The explosion also damaged or destroyed many nearby buildings, making it one of the most destructive terrorist attacks in U.S. history.
Investigation and trials
Authorities quickly identified Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols as key participants. McVeigh was convicted and sentenced to death, and Nichols was convicted in federal and state proceedings.
Memorial and legacy
The Murrah Building was demolished, and the Oklahoma City National Memorial was created on the site. The bombing remains a major reference point in discussions of domestic terrorism and federal security in the United States.
Key facts
- The bombing occurred at 9:02 a.m. on April 19, 1995.
- The attack killed 168 people, including 19 children, and injured more than 500.
- The perpetrators were Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols.
- A homemade ammonium nitrate–fuel oil bomb in a rental truck was used.
- The Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building was later demolished and replaced by a memorial.
The bombing is relevant to Canadian readers as a major North American terrorism case that influenced security, emergency response, and discussions of domestic extremism across the continent.
Frequently asked questions
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References
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/event/Oklahoma-City-bombingSupports: Date, location, casualties, bomb type, and significance of the attack
- Federal Bureau of Investigation — https://www.fbi.gov/history/famous-cases/oklahoma-city-bombingSupports: Perpetrators, casualties, and characterization as a major act of homegrown terrorism
- Oklahoma Historical Society — https://www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry?entry=OK026Supports: Bomb details, casualties, and location
- William J. Clinton Presidential Library and Museum — https://www.clintonlibrary.gov/research/oklahoma-city-remembranceSupports: Perpetrators, casualties, aftermath, trials, and memorial