Oklahoma City Memorial & Museum Marks 25 Years

The memorial honors the 168 victims of the 1995 bombing and those forever changed by the tragedy.

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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Thursday marked the 25th anniversary of the opening of the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum, which provides a place of peace and remembrance for the victims of the 1995 bombing. Visitors expressed deep emotions as they experienced the museum and paid their respects, with one saying it "kind of broke my heart." Former President George W. Bush, who attended the opening ceremony, reflected on the transformation of the site, noting that "the debris is gone, and the building is no more. Now this is a place of peace and remembrance."

Why it matters

The Oklahoma City bombing was a tragic event that shook the nation, and the memorial and museum serve as an important place to honor the victims and reflect on the community's resilience in the face of such a devastating act. As the memorial reaches this milestone, it continues to be a powerful symbol of remembrance and a reminder of the importance of coming together in the aftermath of tragedy.

The details

The memorial and museum opened to the public 25 years ago, on February 20, 2001. It features exhibits and displays that tell the stories of the 168 people who were killed in the bombing, as well as those who were forever changed by the event. Visitors to the museum expressed deep emotions as they experienced the displays, with one saying it "kind of broke my heart." The museum has also focused on enhancing its offerings through technology to reach new generations and teach the story in different ways.

  • The Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum opened to the public on February 20, 2001.
  • Thursday, February 20, 2026 marked the 25th anniversary of the memorial's opening.

The players

George W. Bush

Former President of the United States, who attended the opening ceremony of the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum.

Lizabeth Bundy

A visitor to the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum, who expressed deep emotions while experiencing the exhibits and learning about the 1995 bombing for the first time.

Hanna Cox

The digital archivist at the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum, who spoke about the importance of preserving the stories of the victims and those affected by the tragedy.

Nasstasja Yargee

A visitor to the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum, who described the solemn atmosphere of the memorial and visited it before participating in the annual memorial race.

Skye Conley

The registrar director of research at the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum, who highlighted the ongoing efforts to enhance the memorial's offerings through technology.

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What they’re saying

“The debris is gone, and the building is no more. Now this is a place of peace and remembrance.”

— George W. Bush, Former President of the United States (wbal.com)

“It kind of broke my heart. Watching those videos and stuff, but I think it's sweet they did this, and it was really cool learning about all of it.”

— Lizabeth Bundy (wbal.com)

“I don't know how to explain it, you kind of just get the feel for it, you know. You feel it in the air, it's solemn.”

— Nasstasja Yargee (wbal.com)

“I just thought that it was insane that somebody would do that. And I thought it was really sweet, and it warmed my heart after it broke that the people came together like that to help each other.”

— Lizabeth Bundy (wbal.com)

“A lot of the focus on enhancements over the years has been focused on technology, about getting to the state of the art to teach the story in different ways, especially with new generations coming up, and meeting people where they are with how they may interact with what's in the museum.”

— Skye Conley, Registrar Director of Research, Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum (wbal.com)

What’s next

The Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum will continue to evolve and enhance its offerings to ensure that the stories and memories of the 1995 bombing are preserved and shared with future generations.

The takeaway

The Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum stands as a powerful symbol of resilience and community in the face of tragedy. As it marks 25 years since its opening, the memorial remains a place of peace, remembrance, and a testament to the enduring human spirit.