Oklahoma Marks the 17th Anniversary of the Oklahoma City Bombing [VIDEO]
Today marks the 17th Anniversary of the Oklahoma City Bombing. One of the most devastating and destructive terrorist acts on American soil! The capitol is hosting memorial events throughout the day in remembrance of those who lost their lives that day!
This year the Remembrance Ceremony is scheduled to begin at 8:55 am at the Outdoor Symbolic Memorial. At 9:02 a.m. city and government officials alongside visitors will take 168 second of silence commemorating the memory of all 168 adults and children who lost their lives.
After the silence, the Edmond North High School orchestra will perform together with special guest Charity Logan.
After the ceremony a field with 168 empty chairs will be open to visitors to take pictures. Short bios of all 168 victims will be placed on the chairs for visitors to read!
The Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum will also offer free admission to all visitors. The museum sponsors the Annual Memorial Motorcycle Run every year to raise money for the memorial. This year the run will be on April 21st, Saturday. The event will start and end at Margarita Island, located at 8139 N.W. 10th St. in Oklahoma City. The cost to sign up is $20 for a single ride and $30 for double riders.
All the proceeds will go to the Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum.
And the final and biggest Memorial event is the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon. This year the city is expecting over 25,000 participants from all 50 states, as well as 7 foreign countries. The marathon is scheduled to being at 6:30 a.m. Sunday, April 29, followed by the Kids Marathon at 8:15.
As many Oklahomans recall on April 19, 1995, shortly after 9 a.m. a bomb exploded in the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building killing 19 children under the age of 6, and 149 adults.
The bomb was designed by Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols, who met in the Army. The two shared mutual interest in gun control, and supported the militia movement. After the explosion, McVeigh was arrested 90 minutes later.
Watch the Shocking Video of the Explosion and the Aftermath!
Where were you when you first heard about the Oklahoma City Bombing in 1995?