To some people, May 4 is a day to celebrate "Star Wars," but to the Kent State community, it means something much more gloomy. On May 4, 1970, members of the Ohio National Guard opened fire on a peaceful protest that was taking place on Kent State's campus. Four students were shot dead and a total of nine students were injured.
In late April 1970, the United States invaded Cambodia. This decision was announced on national television and radio on April 30, 1970, by President Nixon, who stated that the invasion of Cambodia was designed to attack the headquarters of the Viet Cong. The Vietnam War was already unpopular among the masses, and this drove the divide deeper within our country.
For Kent State students, May 4 started like any other day. Most students were coming from class when they noticed a peaceful protest taking place on the student green. Shortly before noon, General Canterbury, of the Ohio National Guard, made the decision to order the demonstrators to disperse.
The Kent State police made the announcement using a bullhorn. When this had no effect on the students, several Guardsmen got into a jeep, where they were met by angry students and quickly retreated. Soon after this, Canterbury ordered his men to load their weapons. Tear gas canisters were thrown into the crowd of students by the Victory Bell, then the Guard began to march across the green to disperse the protest.
When several of the Guardsmen reached the top of the hill, they turned around and suddenly began to fire into the crowd of students. Some reports say that there were between 61 and 67 shots fired within a 13-second time frame.
On May 4, 1970, four students were killed by the Guardsmen. Jeffrey Miller, Allison Krause, William Schroeder, and Sandra Scheuer lost their lives that day. Four students who all have promising futures ahead of them were suddenly gone. Their families were left in shock by the shootings, knowing that their loved one would never come home again.
The shooting that occurred on May 4, 1970, needs to be remembered for many reasons. The shootings symbolize a great American tragedy that happened during a time when our country was divided by politics. Today, May 4 and the Vietnam War era as a whole are still extremely controversial. May 4 needs to be remembered so that history does not repeat itself. Many mistakes were made on May 4 as far as protocol and safety. There is a signed statement by the Guardsmen that states there are better ways to deal with situations such as May 4.
May 4, 1970, will forever be engraved in the minds of Americans for many years to come. The lives and memory of Jeffrey Miller, Allison Krause, William Schroeder, and Sandra Scheuer live on 48 years later. May 4 did not need to happen, and I hope I live in a world where such violence would not even be thought of.
