History of 50 years ago-Kent State Massacre which changed America

By Neha Garg Last updated May 6, 2020 48 0

Kent State Massacre — *** FILE *** Mary Ann Vecchio gestures and screams as she kneels by the body of a student lying face down on the campus of Kent State University, Kent, Ohio on May 4, 1970. A static-filled recording was released Tuesday May 1, 2007 of the 1970 Kent State University shooting that killed four students raising questions not only about whether someone called on National Guardsmen to fire, but also who might have given the order. The tape was released by Alan Canfora, 58, one of nine students wounded in the 1970 shootings. He played two versions of the tape _ the original and an amplified version _ in which he says a Guard officer issues the command, "Right here! Get Set! Point! Fire!" (AP Photo/John Filo)

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From 50 years from now, the students of Kent State University were protesting against the War of Vietnam when the guard of Ohio National fired at them. In these four of the students were killed and around nine were injured.

The incident which happened on May 4, 1970, also known as the Kent State massacre which changed the nation to a great extent.

Due to this, there is a strike that happens throughout the nation which made many of the colleges as well as universities to be shut down. Magazines and newspapers cover this story with a full incident that happens and some with photographs also.

After shooting the opinion of people had changed against the war of Vietnam. Even some of the official from politics says that it is one of the reasons in the Nixon administration downfall.

Kent State has done the event with a program where the candle has been burnt, plays on the radio, interviews on the radio with the students of Kent State, etc.

The massacre of Kent State-A Flashback

In 1968 when Richard Nexon has been elected as the President of a United States, then he promised that he will end the Vietnam war.

On May 1, 1970, the students of Kent State University had protested on the campus. They spoke in against war and according to them, Congress had not declared the war officially which they showed by burring the Constitution copy. This is there as per the article by the university.

The peaceful protest which is going around the streets in Kent had become violent among the local police and demonstrators. Emergency has been declared by the city mayor and police forces used tears gas for dispersing the crowd.

On May 4, 1970, students gathered to protect against the Ohio National Guard’s presence on the campus and for war. There were around 3000 people who have gathered on the campus.

On May 6, 1970, when the guard ordered to disperse and crowd refuses to do so. Then guardsmen fired with tear gas and after several warnings when they did not move off then they moved towards them and fired them. In this, four of the students got killed and nine got wounded. The universities were closed and students protested against the incident.

Kent State Massacre