May 4, 1970, Kent State Shootings Site National Historic Landmark Nomination
Davis LL, Seeman MF, Keefer BS, Farmer MJ, Boes L. 2016. May 4, 1970, Kent State Shootings Site National Historic Landmark Nomination. National Historic Landmark Nominations. 100000879_NHL. National Park Service. Washington, DC
This document is the National Historic Landmark (NHL) nomination for the May 4, 1970, Kent State Shootings Site in Kent, Portage County, Ohio. The NHL nomination for the May 4, 1970, Kent State Shootings Site documents its national significance under NHL Criterion 1 and Exception 8. On May 4, 1970, members of the Ohio National Guard shot Kent State University students who were protesting against the Vietnam War on this site, killing four and wounding nine. The shootings affected public opinion about the war and protests against it, led to a legal precedent for holding public officials accountable, prompted change in military policy for civil disturbances, and caused the largest student strike in US history. It achieved national prominence again in 1977-1978 as the site of student protests to preserve and recognize the location's tragic history. The period of national significance is May 1-2, 1970, and 1977-1978.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Davis, Laura; Seeman, Mark; Keefer, Bradley; Farmer, Mindy; Boes, Lori
- Date of Issue
- 2016-12-23
- Publisher
- National Park Service
- Keywords
- civil rights, legal, military, National Historic Landmark, Ohio, peace movements, student protests, Vietnam War