This week in...1970 - May 4, 1970: Fueled by President Nixon's April 30 speech that pledged an increase in American troops being sent to Cambodia, the campus of Kent State University erupted with protesters. After causing much commotion at the Ohio University including the burning down of the campus' ROTC building, Governor James A. Rhodes called the state's National Guard to the campus on May 3. He said he "vowed to use every weapon possible to erradicate the problem."
Another student demonstration occurred on May 4. The National Guard enacted martial law to disperse the crowd, but were met with hostile chants and thrown rocks. With angry students cornering the officers, the National Guard fired their gunfire for 13 consecutive seconds. In all, 61 bullets were fired and four students were killed.
Although 25 students and protesters were charged, all 28 of the National Guardsmen escaped legal blame. The event is remembered as perhaps the most violent Vietnam related event that occurred in the United States.
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