Historical Milestone: May 4 Marks the Tragic Day of Four Fatalities during Kent State University Protest
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Is it Sunday, 4th May, 2025 already? Man, time flies! Let's take a trip down memory lane and see what happened on this day in history.
On this very date in 1970, tragedy struck Kent State University when National Guardsmen opened fire during an anti-war protest, claiming the lives of four students and injuring nine others. That was a dark day in American history.
A few other noteworthy events on May 4 include:
- In 1886, a deadly riot erupted at Haymarket Square in Chicago during a labor demonstration demanding an 8-hour workday.
- In 1904, the U.S. took over construction of the Panama Canal from the French.
- In 1942, the Battle of the Coral Sea, the first naval clash fought with carrier aircrafts, began during World War II.
- In 1961, the first group of Freedom Riders set off to challenge racial segregation on interstate buses and in terminals.
- In 1998, Unabomber Theodore Kaczynski was sentenced to life in prison plus 30 years in a plea agreement that avoided the death penalty.
- In 2006, Zacarias Moussaoui was given life in prison for his role in the 9/11 attacks.
- In 2011, President Obama announced that photos of Osama bin Laden's death would not be released due to their graphic nature and potential to incite violence.
- In 2023, former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio and three other members were convicted of a plot to attack the U.S. Capitol. Tarrio was later pardoned by former President Trump.
But it's not all gloom and doom, folks! May 4 has also witnessed some pretty incredible birthdays. Jazz musician Ron Carter turns 88 today, alongside political commentator George Will, actor Richard Jenkins, country singer Randy Travis, and many more talented individuals. So let's celebrate their birthdays and remember the history that this day holds!
Enrichment Data:- May 4 has been marked by significant events, such as the Battle of Tewkesbury (1471) during the Wars of the Roses in England and the May Fourth Movement (1919) in China, which protested against foreign control and advocated for national independence.- The day has also left a lasting impact on the country music industry, with milestones like Loretta Lynn's stroke recovery, Jennifer Nettles breaking a rib, and damaging floods in Nashville affecting the Grand Ole Opry. Major achievements on May 4 include Chris Stapleton’s "Tennessee Whiskey" being certified Platinum in 2016 and Dierks Bentley’s song "Somewhere on a Beach" receiving RIAA Gold certification.
- A student enthusiastic about sports might have written an article on May 4, 2025, about the anniversary of earlier significant events in sports history, such as the Battle of Tewkesbury in 1471, which could be compared to modern-day sporting events like basketball competitions.
- Amidst general-news reports about the life sentence imposed on former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio in 2023, there could be a section discussing his love for basketball and how it helped him cope behind bars during his imprisonment.
- When crime-and-justice coverage focuses on the May 4, 2025, trial of a politically influential individual accused of corruption, journalists might delve into this individual's hobbies to humanize the story, uncovering a passion for politics and a dislike for sports, with the exception of following basketball games during his free time.
