Skip to content
NorthFactsFacts first, Canada's reference desk
History

Oklahoma City Bombing

What is oklahoma city bombing?

· James MacDonald

Key facts

Date April 19, 1995[2]
Time 9:02 a.m.[2]
Location Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma[2]
Type Domestic terrorism[1]
Death toll 168[2]
Key perpetrator Timothy McVeigh[1]

The Oklahoma City bombing was a domestic terrorist attack on April 19, 1995, when a truck bomb exploded outside the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, killing 168 people and injuring hundreds more.

Context

The Oklahoma City bombing occurred on April 19, 1995, when a truck bomb exploded outside the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The attack killed 168 people and injured hundreds more, making it the deadliest act of domestic terrorism in U.S. history at the time [1]. The bomb was placed in a rented Ryder truck, and the explosion caused extensive damage to the building [1]. Timothy McVeigh was identified as the key perpetrator, and Terry Nichols was also linked to the attack [1]. The bombing is often confused with the September 11 attacks, as it was the deadliest U.S. terrorist attack until 2001 [1].

Documented claims

  • The bombing was the deadliest act of domestic terrorism in U.S. history. [1]
  • The bomb was placed in a rented Ryder truck. [1]
  • The explosion damaged or destroyed a large part of the Murrah Federal Building. [1]
  • Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols were linked to the bombing. [1]

Questions and answers

Did any children survive the Oklahoma bombing?

Yes, some children survived the bombing, though the attack killed 168 people, including many children [2].

How many kids died at the Oklahoma bombing?

The sources do not specify the exact number of children who died, but the total death toll was 168 [2].

How was Timothy McVeigh caught?

Timothy McVeigh was identified as the key perpetrator of the bombing, but the sources do not detail how he was caught [1].

Sources

  1. Oklahoma City bombing | Facts, Motive, Timothy McVeigh, Waco ... — britannica.com (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  2. Oklahoma City Remembrance — clintonlibrary.gov (retrieved August 3, 2026)

Sources last checked August 3, 2026. · More in History