OKLAHOMA CITY – Sunday morning, people across the state and country will take time to remember the 168 lives that were lost 20 years ago.
On April 19, 1995, a bomb exploded outside the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building, destroying much of the nine-story structure.
Twenty years ago today in Oklahoma City, two terrorists attacked their own country, killing 168 people and injuring hundreds more. We will never forget the men and women who lost their lives in the bombing that day. The passing of time will never extinguish the pain we feel. But if those murderers hoped to terrorize the American people that day, to break our spirits or shatter the bonds that unite us, then they completely and utterly failed. We will be forever grateful to the first responders who risked their lives to save others, the law enforcement officers and prosecutors who brought the perpetrators to justice, and the ordinary men and women who set an “Oklahoma standard” for resilience that we still hold today.
— President Barack Obama
While the scars have healed since that day, the memories are still fresh in the minds of so many.
The Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum hosts the 20th Anniversary Remembrance Ceremony beginning at 8:45 a.m. on Sunday.
During the program, 168 seconds of silence will be observed at 9:02 a.m.
Following the moment of silence, a program of hope and healing will continue until 10 a.m.
Cox Communications is providing free admission to the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum for all visitors on Sunday.
The museum will open following the ceremony at 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.
“We believe it is important on this special day of remembrance that all visitors to the Memorial be able to tour the museum at no cost,” said Percy Kirk, senior vice president and region manager for Cox’s central region.