On the morning of April 19, 1995, a truck bomb exploded outside the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in downtown Oklahoma City, killing 168 people and injuring hundreds more. It was the deadliest act of homegrown terrorism in United States history—a moment that shattered lives and forever changed a city. As we mark the 30th anniversary on April 19, 2025, we remember each life lost and honor the families, survivors, and first responders who lived through the unthinkable. Thirty years later, the stories of courage, heartbreak, and resilience still echo—across Oklahoma and throughout the nation.
A Father Remembers His Only Daughter, Killed in the Oklahoma City Bombing
Julie Marie Welch was just 23 years old when her life was cut short in the Oklahoma City bombing. In the years since, her father, Bud Welch, has become a voice for healing and remembrance. At StoryCorps, he shared memories of Julie—and the journey he took to honor her through compassion.
A Father and Son Reflect on the Oklahoma City Bombing
PJ Allen was just a baby when he was pulled from the rubble of the Oklahoma City bombing. One of only six children to survive from the building’s daycare center, he faced a long road of recovery from burns, broken bones, and lung damage. Years later, PJ sat down with his father, WIllie Watson, to reflect on survival, healing, and the bond that carried them through it.
In the Aftermath: A Mother and Son’s Reflection
Christopher Nguyen was just four years old when he survived the Oklahoma City bombing. He had been at the daycare center inside the Murrah Federal Building, just above where the truck bomb detonated. His mother, Phuong, worked nearby, Decades later, the two reflect on the lasting impact of that day — and the strength they’ve found together in the aftermath.
An Imam Reflects on Being Targeted Following the Oklahoma City Bombing
In the immediate aftermath of the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing, before the true perpetrators were identified, false rumors circulated that Muslim terrorists were responsible for the blast. Imad Enchassi was running a restaurant in Oklahoma City at the time. At StoryCorps, he remembered how the suspicion against his community led him to become an Imam.
Oklahoma City: After the Bombing
Thirty years ago, they lived through the Oklahoma City bombing. On this episode of the StoryCorps Podcast, we share voices from our archive—stories of those who were there that day.