Thirty years ago, at 9:02 a.m. on April 19th, 1995, a devastating event irrevocably shaped the nation’s history – the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City. This horrific act, now recognized as the deadliest domestic terrorism incident in American history, claimed the lives of 168 individuals, including nineteen children, and left nearly seven hundred more wounded.
Speaking at a memorial event marking this solemn anniversary, former President Bill Clinton emphasized the profound responsibility felt by the nation. “Do better,” he declared, reflecting on the enduring debt owed to those who perished. He underscored that these words represented a tribute to “the people who made the ultimate sacrifice.”
The tragedy unfolded as Clinton was nearing the conclusion of his first term in office. Recalling the day’s events, he described how his morning began with an optimistic jog alongside winners from the Boston Marathon – a seemingly ordinary activity abruptly shattered by the arrival of devastating news.
“Thirty years ago, I thought I was going to have a very different day when I woke up,” Clinton stated. “I went jogging with the winners of the Boston Marathon, giving me the illusion, and an illusion it was, that I was somehow pretty fit. And then I got back to the White House and the devastating news.”
Central to Clinton’s remarks was the concept of the “Oklahoma Standard,” a powerful symbol of resilience and unity forged in the aftermath of the bombing. He passionately believed that this ethos – “I wish every American would get a copy of the Oklahoma Standard in the mail or on their cell phone tomorrow. I bet you it would have a terrific impact” – deserved widespread recognition. He urged Oklahomans to share this spirit nationally, expressing sincere gratitude for its emergence.
The attack was perpetrated by Timothy McVeigh, a former Army soldier and security guard who parked a rented Ryder truck outside the building before detonating the bomb. This act of violence targeted innocent civilians and represented an appalling display of cowardice and malice.
According to a Department of Justice transcript from April 19th, 1995, Clinton stated unequivocally: “The bombing in Oklahoma City was an attack on innocent children and defenseless citizens. It was an act of cowardice and it was evil. The United States will not tolerate it. And I will not allow the people of this country to be intimidated by evil cowards.”
McVeigh, along with his accomplices, were apprehended and convicted following a lengthy legal process. On August 14th, 1997, more than two years after the attack, McVeigh received a death sentence, which was ultimately carried out on June 11th, 2001 – three months before the September 11th attacks further underscored America’s vulnerability to terrorism. The Oklahoma City bombing remains the most significant terrorist event in U.S. history prior to 9/11.
A particularly harrowing account emerged of one survivor’s experience: “I was getting ready to die after being trapped in ten feet of rubble.”
