The Survivor Tree, an American elm, survived the blast and is part of the Memorial.What was once an ignored, unassuming urban tree is now an iconic symbol of hope.
At 9:02 am April 19, 1995 a bomb exploded at the Murrah Federal Buidling in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, destroying one side of the building, damaging several adjacent buildings, injuring 680 people and killing 168 people, including 19 children.
Until September 11, 2001, it was the deadliest terrorist attack on United States soil; it remains the worst domestic terrorist attack.
A memorial and museum now stand in silent tribute and remembrance.
ABOVE: The Reflecting Pool and Field of Empty Chairs; the museum entrance, and window overlooking the memorial
the chainlink fence displays mementos
We come here to remember those who were killed, those who survived and those changed forever. May all who leave here know the impact of violence. May this memorial offer comfort, strength, peace, hope and serenity.
mission statement of the memorial and museum
sections of the original building as they were immediately after the bombing
There is chair for each person who died that day, 168.
The Survivor Tree, an American elm, survived the blast and is part of the Memorial.
What was once an ignored, unassuming urban tree is now an iconic symbol of hope.
Museum website
at a church across the street
words written on the remaining wall of the Journal Record Building, also damaged that day
Tiles painted by children from all over the country, gifted to the museum, and displayed at the outside ntrance.
The Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum is privately funded. The memorial is free and open to the public. An admission is charged to tour the museum.
The Oklahoma City National Memorial Foundation is a private 501(c)(3) organization which owns and operates the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum.
It does not receive any annual operating funds from the federal, state or local government.
The Survivor Tree
sharing the HEART of remembering those we have lost to violence
Use these links to share the heart of health wherever you connect.
At 9:02 am April 19, 1995 the bomb exploded, destroying one side of the federal building, damaging several adjacent buildings, injuring 680 people and killing 168 people, including 19 children.
Until September 11, 2001, it was the deadliest terrorist attack on United States soil; it remains the worst domestic terrorist attack.
An annual event, the Oklahoma Challenge Ballroom Dance competition draws dancers from Oklahoma, surrounding states and as far away as Toronto, Ontario. Many return every year to compete against dancers who have now become dance friends.
The competition occurs at the Cox Convention Center in downtown Oklahoma City. Nearby is the Bricktown historic district with trendy restaurants, hotels,clubs, shops and the Chesapeake Arena, home of the Oklahoma City Thunder basketball team.
Also not far away is the site of the biggest “challenge” the city and our state has ever faced- the 1995 domestic terrorist attack on the Murrah Federal Building. On a spring morning in April, a terrorist parked a rental truck on the street in front of the building; the truck contained a 5000 pound bomb made of ammonium nitrate and fuel oil.
A morning of terror
At 9:02 am April 19, 1995 the bomb exploded, destroying one side of the federal building, damaging several adjacent buildings, injuring 680 people and killing 168 people, including 19 children.
Until September 11, 2001, it was the deadliest terrorist attack on United States soil; it remains the worst domestic terrorist attack.
THERE IS A TIME TO WEEP, AND A TIME TO LAUGH; A TIME TO MOURN, AND A TIME TO DANCE; ECCLESIASTES 3:4, ESV
A day of remembrance
On April 19, 2000 ,the Oklahoma City National Memorial was dedicated ; the Museum opened a year later. I have visited several times, and always come away having seen and learned something new. If you ever travel through Oklahoma, I recommend you put this on your must-see list. When you come, here are some of the images you will see and experience.
the West Gate of the memorial looking northwest toward the new federal buildingOklahoma City National Memorial and Museum entrancewindow from the museum overlooking outdoor memorial168 lighted chairs sit on the south lawn of the Memorial.
There is a gold chair for each person who died from the bombing that day.
168 Oklahomans lost their lives there that day, including 19 children.
A lifetime of honor
In the days ,weeks and months following the attack ,we learned all the details about the bombing- the perpetrators, the victims, the rescuers, the survivors.
My husband and I visited the site after the wreckage was imploded and the site was fenced off. The fence became a makeshift memorial, as people left mementos of all kinds- dolls, stuffed animals, photos, pictures, flowers, crafts, flags, shirts, letters.
We visited the official memorial and the museum established on April 19, 2000. Sections of the fence were left intact, and people still leave mementos; others became part of the museum collection.
A long section of the original fence has been left intact, as well as parts of the original federal building wall.
Until 9/11, it was the deadliest act of terrorism on United States soil.
On the wall of the Journal Record Building which was also damaged by the blast; the museum now occupies part of it.
The perpetrators were caught and brought to justice. The driver of the truck was convicted, sentenced to death, and died by execution. The another remains in prison for life.
That day in Oklahoma City showed the best in our state and our country as people, some with no training, risked their lives to help rescue people who were injured and trapped inside. Firefighters and police came from all over the United States to help. People donated food and first aid supplies.
Schools regularly bring students to visit the memorial and museumTiles hand painted by children were sent to the city as a show of support and sympathy.
Pansies are popular in Oklahoma in the fall and spring.
I was proud to be an Oklahoman then and now, and still grieve for the lives we lost that day.
The Survivor Tree, an American elm, survived the blast and is part of the Memorial.
statue of a grieving Christ, in the courtyard of a church across the street from the memorial
“We remember that moment that is framed forever by these twin gates. Our place of remembrance is filled with those symbols (ribbons, angels, flags) and also filled with love-the love of countless Americans whose ideas and support and contributions helped create this beautiful memorial.
On April 19 five years ago the flag of our nation was flying over the Murrah building. It is flying over our memorial today, and flies proudly in our hearts.
For those who perpetrated this act, we have one message:
In America you can speak and vote and complain, but there is no right to maim and bomb and kill…and if you think you’ll bring that flag down, there is your answer.
We are all Oklahomans today, and we are all Americans. May God continue to bless our beloved land. “
Oklahoma Governor Frank Keating, April 19, 2000
quote from The Official Record of the Oklahoma City Bombing, published by Oklahoma Today Magazine
exploring andremembering the HEART of health
Use these links to share the heart of health wherever you connect.
watercress words by Dr Aletha 
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