Kent State Shootings day | History., Facts

 Kent State Shootings

Crowd of Northwestern University students face off with police during a protest regarding the Kent State shootings, Evanston, Illinois, May 12, 1970(Getty)

On May 4, 1970, the Ohio National Guard opened fire on unarmed college students who were protesting against the Vietnam War on the campus of Kent State University in Ohio, United States. The shooting claimed the lives of four students and injured nine others, and it had a significant impact on American society, becoming a turning point in public perception of the Vietnam War.

Although the exact events leading up to the shooting remain controversial, the National Guard was called in to disperse the student protesters, who were demonstrating against the Nixon administration's decision to invade Cambodia as part of the Vietnam War. When tear gas failed to disperse the crowd and some students began throwing objects at the soldiers, the National Guard opened fire on the unarmed students.

The incident sparked protests across the United States and caused the closure of numerous universities and colleges. It also prompted a government inquiry and legal proceedings, but no one was held accountable for the shooting.

what happened to the national guardsmen who killed the students at kent state?

On May 4, 1970, a group of unarmed college students who were protesting against the Vietnam War at Kent State University in Ohio were fired upon by members of the Ohio National Guard. The tragic incident resulted in the deaths of four students and left nine others injured.

Following the shooting, a grand jury was convened and charged 25 individuals with crimes ranging from murder to civil rights violations. However, due to a lack of evidence, all charges were ultimately dropped.

The families of the slain students filed a civil lawsuit against the National Guard and Ohio Governor James A. Rhodes. In 1979, the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit determined that the Guardsmen were not protected from prosecution under the Civil Rights Act of 1871, but Governor Rhodes was immune from prosecution.

In 1987, a settlement was reached where the federal government agreed to pay $675,000 to the families of the four students who were killed. Additionally, the Ohio National Guard agreed to pay $1.00 in damages to each of the nine wounded students.

It's important to note that the individual guardsmen responsible for firing the shots were never conclusively identified, and none were criminally charged or convicted for their actions in connection with the shootings.

Why were students protesting at Kent State University on May 4, 1970

On May 4, 1970, a group of students at Kent State University in Ohio gathered to protest against the U.S. government's decision to invade Cambodia as part of the ongoing Vietnam War. The conflict had been a source of tension and controversy in American society for several years, with many opposed to the loss of life and resources associated with the conflict.

The announcement of the Cambodia Campaign by President Richard Nixon and the subsequent invasion further escalated the situation, intensifying protests across the country. The students at Kent State University were part of a broader nationwide movement opposed to the Vietnam War and the policies of the Nixon administration.

The protest at Kent State was intended to peacefully express opposition to the war and the government's decision to extend military involvement in Southeast Asia. However, the events that unfolded that day, including the shooting of unarmed protesters by National Guard troops, were tragic and deeply disturbing. The incident only served to strengthen the anti-war sentiment and fuel further protests across the nation.

kent state shooting victims

The Kent State shooting, also known as the May 4 massacre, occurred on May 4, 1970, at Kent State University in Kent, Ohio, United States. National Guard troops fired on unarmed student protesters, killing four and injuring nine others.

The four students who were killed in the shooting were Allison Krause, Jeffrey Miller, Sandra Scheuer, and William Schroeder.

Allison Krause was a 19-year-old freshman at Kent State who was passionate about social justice issues. She was shot in the chest while protesting the Vietnam War.

Jeffrey Miller was a 20-year-old sophomore who was also protesting the Vietnam War. He was shot in the mouth and died instantly.

Sandra Scheuer was a 20-year-old junior studying speech therapy. She was walking to class when she was shot in the neck.

William Schroeder was a 19-year-old freshman who was walking to a class when he was shot in the chest. He died several hours later in the hospital.

The Kent State shooting was a pivotal moment in the anti-war movement in the United States and sparked national outrage. The tragedy is still remembered today as a symbol of the dangers of government overreach and the importance of protecting the right to peacefully protest.