Kent State - May 4 Shootings

NOTICE:  THIS VIDEO INCLUDES SCENES OF FATAL SHOOTINGS ON THE CAMPUS OF KENT STATE UNIVERSITY.  PARTS OF THE HISTORICAL FOOTAGE ARE NOT EASY TO WATCH.  PROCEED WITH CAUTION.

On April 30, 1970, President Nixon announced the bombing of Cambodia. The war, by this time, was widely criticized throughout the U.S. since approximately 50,000 Americans had already lost their lives in Vietnam.

Viewing the Cambodian attacks as an escalation of the conflict, students at Kent State set fire to an ROTC building which was already planned for demolition. On the following Monday, 4 May 1970, the Ohio governor sent members of the Ohio National Guard to the campus. What happened thereafter resulted in the deaths of four students.

This video clip combines historical footage of the Kent State shootings, news coverage about the tragedy and President Nixon's announcement of bombing in Cambodia.

Credits

Video clip online, courtesy CNN.

To see an online documentary about the 13 Seconds which changed a nation, follow the link to Factual TV's interpretation (based on archives from Kent State and other sources).