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A remembrance ceremony was held today in Oklahoma City to honor the victims of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building bombing, which occurred 30 years ago. The ceremony, moved indoors due to rain, featured former President Bill Clinton as the keynote speaker. Clinton, who was president at the time of the bombing, reflected on the tragedy and the resilience of the community in its aftermath.
On April 19, 1995, a truck bomb detonated outside the Murrah Building, killing 168 people, including 19 children, and injuring hundreds more. It remains the deadliest act of domestic terrorism in U.S. history. During the ceremony, Clinton emphasized the importance of standing against hatred and violence, urging the nation to embrace the "Oklahoma Standard" of service, honor, and kindness. He stated, "When there is talk of hatred, let us stand up and talk against it. When there is talk of violence, let us stand up and talk against it."
U.S. Senator James Lankford also spoke, highlighting the lessons learned from the bombing about healing, faith, and unity. He encouraged attendees to pass these lessons on to future generations. Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt echoed these sentiments, urging the community to continue honoring the legacy of the victims by standing united against evil.
The ceremony concluded with the reading of the names of the 168 victims, a solemn reminder of the lives lost on that tragic day. The Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum continues to preserve the memory of the bombing and promote a culture of caring and resilience, known as the Oklahoma Standard.