Thirty years ago a day that no American will forget. April 19 1995. The Oklahoma City bombing. It was the deadliest act of domestic terrorism in US history ripping through the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building and leaving behind a trail of devastation loss and lives forever changed. Now National Geographic is tackling this heavy chapter in American history with a powerful new docuseries Oklahoma City bombing: ONE DAY IN AMERICA.
'Oklahoma City Bombing: One Day in America': A Moment-by-Moment Look at an Unfolding Tragedy and the Resilience that Followed
This isn't your typical history lesson doc. ONE DAY IN AMERICA from the team behind the Emmy-winning 9/11: One Day in America franchise aims to put you right there in the heart of the chaos and the courage of that day. Using rare archival footage and firsthand accounts from people who lived it this three-part series promises a raw and unflinching look at the bombing its aftermath and the incredible human spirit that emerged from the rubble.
The series a production of 72 Films for National Geographic is set to premiere on April 2 at 8/7c on National Geographic channel . If you miss it live no worries. It will be available to stream the next day on Disney+ and Hulu.
Executive producer David Glover of 72 Films explains they aimed to create films that feel like an experience not just a dry recounting of facts. He states that in the darkest historical moments we often witness acts of kindness heroism and the best aspects of humanity. This series is meant to honor the everyday folks of Oklahoma and how they responded to an act of terror.
Firsthand Stories of Survival Grief and Justice: Voices from the Heart of the Oklahoma City Bombing
Oklahoma City bombing: ONE DAY IN AMERICA is packed with powerful testimony. Some of these are stories we've heard before but many are being shared for the first time offering fresh and deeply personal perspectives. You will hear from:
- Former President Bill Clinton and Former Oklahoma Governor Frank Keating: Reflecting on the immense responsibility of leading a nation in mourning.
- Survivor Amy Downs: Reliving the harrowing hours spent trapped in the wreckage desperately hoping for rescue.
- Edye Raines: Recounting the frantic and agonizing search for her two children who were missing after the blast.
- District Fire Chief Mike Shannon: Describing the desperate and often heartbreaking efforts of first responders to save lives in the face of unimaginable devastation.
- FBI Special Agent in Charge Bob Ricks: Detailing the intense race against time to identify the bomber and bring them to justice for this horrific crime.
These voices combined create a comprehensive picture. It is an intimate and sweeping look at survival courage and the long hard road to justice after an unthinkable event. It is about ordinary people caught in extraordinary circumstances and how they responded.
Unfolding Tragedy: Episode Breakdown Reveals the Docuseries Narrative Arc
The three episodes of OKLAHOMA CITY BOMBING: ONE DAY IN AMERICA will take viewers through the timeline of the event and its immediate impact:
- Episode 1: April 19 1995 - Chaos and Response: The day begins like any other in Oklahoma City until the bomb detonates. The episode focuses on the immediate chaos the first responders' race to the scene and the initial frantic search for survivors. The media scrambles for answers and the FBI launches a massive investigation.
- Episode 2: Panic and Investigation: Reports of a potential second bomb trigger mass panic and a forced evacuation forcing rescuers to leave survivors behind. The episode explores the agonizing uncertainty and the nationwide manhunt for those responsible for the attack. The question on everyone's mind: Who would do this?
- Episode 3: Mourning and Justice: President Clinton arrives to comfort the grieving community. Families come together to mourn their losses. The nation grapples with the shocking reality that the bomber is an American a veteran with no remorse. The episode culminates with the trial and the government's pursuit of the death penalty for this act of domestic terrorism.
30 Years Later: Remembering Oklahoma City and the Enduring Lessons of Unity and Resilience
National Geographic's Tom McDonald sums it up well stating that the Oklahoma City bombing was a deep tragedy for America. However in the aftermath he emphasizes we witnessed extraordinary strength compassion and resilience. This docuseries he explains is about honoring the survivors the families and the heroes who responded to ensure this crucial moment in history remains in our collective memory.