On this day: April 19 one of the deadliest days for domestic terrorism and shootings
Today is Wednesday, and it may seem a day just like any other: But April 19 is an especially deadly date in U.S. history.
- It was the day of the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing, a domestic terrorism attack
- It was the day of the siege in Waco, Texas against the compound of the cult known as the Branch Davidians in 1993
- The Shot Heard Round the World that kicked off the American Revolutionary War in 1775
The very next day, April 20, is also a very deadly day:
- It was the day the Columbine school shooters made their deadly attack in 1999
- It's Adolf Hitler's birthday, a date often celebrated by the subculture of anti-government extremists
In fact, April itself seems to be the timing of many violent events, such as the Boston Marathon bombing, the mass shooting at Virginia Tech and even the assassination of President Lincoln. Both the Civil War and Revolutionary War began in April.
Why do so many violent events happen in April?
According to research done by Inside Edition, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) is extra vigilant of potential violent or terrorist activity around mid-April.
There are several 'sparks' around April 19 and 20 that may have provided a greater likelihood for terrorist activity throughout the decades.
First of all, Adolf Hitler's birthday is April 20. His birthday seems to be a symbolic date for some extremists, terrorists or active shooters.
Secondly, as more and more violent attacks occur around these dates, it makes them more enticing for copycats to jump on the 'anniversary' of particularly bloody dates.
Finally, some of these historic attacks and tragedies do appear to be connected – such as the Oklahoma City Bombing being directly connected to the siege at Waco.
How does the siege at Waco, Texas connect to the Oklahoma City Bombing?
During that siege between federal agents and the Branch Davidians in 1993, a group of onlookers watched from a nearby hill. One of those onlookers was Timothy McVeigh, who would perpetrate the Oklahoma City Bombing just two years later on the second 'anniversary' of the assault on Waco.
According to a scholarly paper on the motivations of McVeigh, he "may have been motivated by the show of overwhelming force used by the FBI during the tragedy at the Branch Davidian Compound in Waco, Texas, in 1993 and, more importantly, the government's unwillingness to admit to errors in judgment."
Other deadly and violent events have taken place in April throughout history:
- Civil War begins on April 12, 1861
- Jewish Community Center shootings on April 13, 2014
- President Lincoln is assassinated on April 14, 1865
- Boston Marathon Bombing on April 15, 2013
- Mass shooting at Virginia Tech on April 16, 2007
- Poway Synagogue Shooting: April 27, 2019
- The Ludlow Massacre on April 20, 1914
