Oklahoma City Bombing

April 19th 1995, a large truck bomb exploded outside a large government building (the Murrah building) in central Oklahoma City.

168 died following the explosion, 20 of these were children in the childcare centre in the building. 680 were injured. This was the largest act of the domestic terrorism in the history of the USA. The people convicted of the bombing were 3 men who originally met in the US army, Timothy McVeigh, Terry Nichols and Michael Fortier.  They found that they shared similar views. McVeigh had been criticised for his attitude to African Americans. But he had also proven himself an enthuasiastic and brave soldier.  On being discharged from the army, the 3 friends were drawn towards the "Survivalist" movement. Fed on propaganda they developed a hatred for the Federal Government.  

2 items that inflamed them were:

1. Ruby Ridge (Idaho) standoff where 3 people died in an armed standoff with US Marshals and the FBI;

2. Waco (Texas) siege where 75 people led by religious leader David Koresh were killed following siege by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. 

To avenge these groups, the ex-soldiers chose a federal building including security that would yield a large loss of human life to publicise their case.  They had originally considered assassinating the Attorney General , Janet Reno. They had also considered other public buildings, but felt the Murrah Building would lead to the maximum casualties. 

The 3 ex-soldiers used their training and fertiliser to build a 6,000 lb bomb.Shortly after the bombing McVeigh was arrested for a traffic violation. He was identified, convicted and sentenced to death. Nichols and Fortier were also convicted and sentenced to long prison sentences. McVeigh was executed by lethal injection on June 11th 2001.