May 4th Memorial Kent, OH 44243
About the Business
The May 4th Memorial is a tourist attraction located in Kent, Ohio, United States. Situated on a 2 1/2-acre wooded site overlooking Kent State University's commons, the memorial commemorates the tragic events of May 4, 1970, when four students were killed and nine were wounded during an anti-war protest on the campus.
Designed by Chicago architect Bruno Ast, the memorial features carnelian granite construction surrounded by 58,175 daffodils symbolizing the country's losses in Vietnam. The plaza, bound by a granite walkway, extends onto the hillside with a jagged, abstract border representing disruptions and conflicting ideas.
Engraved with the words "Inquire, Learn, Reflect," the memorial encourages visitors to explore the reasons behind the events, engage in a learning process, and reflect on peaceful conflict resolution. Polished black granite disks lead to four free-standing pylons representing the four students killed, with a fifth disk acknowledging the wider impact of the event.
A 48-foot bench along the granite walkway provides a place for visitors to rest and reflect on the memorial's significance. The May 4th Memorial offers a peaceful retreat for interpretation and contemplation, inviting visitors to remember and honor the lives lost on that fateful day.
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Reviews
"A well laid-out memorial on the grounds of Kent State University explaining the tragedy of May 4, 1970 when 4 students were killed by the National Guard while protesting the expansion of the Vietnam War. Markers are numbered, making it easy to follow the events. Unfortunately, the May 4th Museum (in Taylor Hall) was not open. If you stop by be sure to see Donald Drum's Solar Totem (on the opposite side of Taylor Hall). A very sad day in our country's history."
"I remember the day quite well. I was in the 6th grade at Preston Elementary School in CFO and working as a 'patrol boy' at the school crossing on Tallmadge Av. Car after car came blowing through the school zone at high rates of speed and they were full of hippies headed to the Kent State riot. They were yelling and hanging out the car windows like they were headed to a big party. I guess in their warped minds rioting was a party. I guess throwing rocks and bottles at the National Guard was fun for them and setting fires at the school was fair game. Many were not even students, just Marxist anarchists. I see some things never change. However, rioting and burning is all fun and games until someone gets shot."
"Extremely moving. I would encourage anyone who has the chance to visit."
"While I was only fifteen was this happened, I'll remember the reactions from the school faculty that was a serious issue. Crosby Stills Nash and Young reminded me over the years of how bad this was. So while visiting the Independence , Ohio, I drove down to see this memorial. It is as it was back then with minor changes. What brought me to my knees was the exact spot were these students died in six pillar to mark the spot were they had fallen."
"Chilling, sad, but uplifting. Beautiful memorials to 4 students cut down way too early in life."
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