Four Dead In Ohio

The events of May 4, 1970, at Kent State University in Ohio, will forever be etched in the memories of Americans as a tragic and pivotal moment in the nation's history. On that fateful day, the National Guard opened fire on a crowd of student protesters, resulting in the deaths of four young people and injuring nine others. This incident, which became known as the Kent State shootings, was a culmination of the escalating tensions between the government and the anti-war movement during the Vietnam War era.

Background and Context

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, the United States was deeply embroiled in the Vietnam War, a conflict that had sparked widespread protests and opposition across the country. President Richard Nixon’s decision to invade Cambodia in April 1970 further inflamed the anti-war movement, leading to a surge in demonstrations and rallies on college campuses. Kent State University, located in northeastern Ohio, was one such campus where students had been actively protesting the war and the government’s policies.

The Events Leading Up to the Shootings

In the days preceding the shootings, tensions had been rising on the Kent State campus. On May 1, 1970, a group of students had gathered on the university’s commons to protest the invasion of Cambodia, and the demonstration had turned violent, with some protesters clashing with police. In response, the National Guard was deployed to the campus on May 2, and a curfew was imposed. Over the next two days, the situation continued to escalate, with students and Guardsmen engaging in confrontations and skirmishes.

On the morning of May 4, a large crowd of students had gathered on the commons to protest the presence of the National Guard and the government's policies. The atmosphere was tense, with some students throwing rocks and tear gas canisters at the Guardsmen. At around 1:00 p.m., the National Guard formed a line and began to advance on the crowd, firing tear gas and warning shots. Suddenly, a group of Guardsmen turned and fired their rifles into the crowd, dischargeing a total of 67 shots over a period of 13 seconds.

The Aftermath

The Kent State shootings resulted in the deaths of four students: Jeffrey Glen Miller, 20; Allison Krause, 19; Sandra Lee Scheuer, 20; and William Knox Schroeder, 19. Nine other students were injured, including one who was paralyzed from the chest down. The incident sparked widespread outrage and protests across the country, with millions of Americans condemning the government’s actions and demanding an end to the war.

Investigations and Legacy

In the aftermath of the shootings, several investigations were conducted to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident. The President’s Commission on Campus Unrest, established by President Nixon, concluded that the shootings were “unnecessary, unwarranted, and inexcusable.” The commission’s report also criticized the National Guard’s actions and recommended reforms to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Remembering the Victims

Today, the Kent State shootings are remembered as a tragic reminder of the importance of protecting civil liberties and the need for governments to respect the rights of citizens to protest and express their opinions. The victims of the shootings are honored at the Kent State University campus, where a memorial was dedicated in 1990. The incident has also been commemorated in music, art, and literature, including the iconic song “Ohio” by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young.