Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building facts for kids
The Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building was a large government office building. It was located in downtown Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The building opened in 1977. It was a place where many different United States government offices were located. On April 19, 1995, a terrible event happened there. The building was badly damaged by a bombing. After this sad event, the building was taken down. Today, a special memorial stands in its place. This memorial helps people remember what happened.
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What Was the Murrah Building?
The Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building was a big, nine-story building. It was built to hold many offices for the U.S. government. People worked there for different agencies. These included the Social Security Administration and the U.S. Army recruiting office. The building was a busy place where many people worked every day. It was an important part of the Oklahoma City community.
When Was the Building Built?
Construction of the Murrah Building finished in 1977. It was designed to be a modern office space. For nearly two decades, it served as a central hub. Many government services were provided to the public from this location.
A Sad Day in History
On April 19, 1995, the Murrah Building became the site of a very sad event. A bomb exploded outside the building. This caused huge damage to the structure. It was one of the worst acts of its kind in U.S. history. The event deeply affected Oklahoma City and the entire country.
What Happened to the Building?
The explosion caused a large part of the building to collapse. Many people were hurt, and some lost their lives. Rescue workers rushed to the scene to help. They worked tirelessly to find survivors. The building was too damaged to be repaired. It was later carefully taken down. This process is called implosion.
Remembering the Murrah Building
After the building was removed, the site was turned into a special place. It became the Oklahoma City National Memorial. This memorial helps people remember those who were affected by the bombing. It is a place for reflection and peace.
The Oklahoma City National Memorial
The memorial includes a field of empty chairs. Each chair represents a person who died. There is also a large reflecting pool. This pool is a quiet place for visitors to think. The memorial helps ensure that the event is never forgotten. It teaches future generations about the importance of peace.
Images for kids
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Murrah Building during the recovery effort
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Murrah Building during the cleanup and demolition operation
See also
In Spanish: Edificio Federal Alfred P. Murrah para niños
