The Boston Marathon Bombing was a tragic event that significantly impacted the entire world. On April 15, 2013, two bombs exploded near the finish line of the Boston Marathon, which left three dead and over 260 individuals injured. One of the world’s premier athletic events was transformed into a scene of terror and tragedy by two brothers, Tamerlan and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev.
Timeline of Events
The Boston Marathon is a yearly event that is held on Patriots’ Day, which is observed on the third Monday of April as a Massachusetts holiday. In 2013, the marathon’s 117th year, the runners were ready to compete in the world-renowned marathon. At 2:49 pm, chaos broke out near the finish line of the marathon as two homemade bombs exploded.
The first bomb was set off near the sidewalk in front of the Boston Public Library, and the second bomb exploded around 13 seconds later about 190 yards away. Most people immediately recognized that it was an act of terrorism as they remembered the September 11th attacks. The FBI determined that the bombs were homemade and were made with pressure cookers.
Planning and Motive
The bombing had been planned for months, and the two suspects responsible were brothers, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev and Tamerlan Tsarnaev. They were Chechen Muslim immigrants who had moved to the United States with their family. Tamerlan Tsarnaev became more radicalized in 2009 and 2010, while Dzhokhar Tsarnaev followed his older brother’s extremist views later.
The Tsarnaev brothers had been radicalized online due to certain religious and political beliefs. They decided to create a bomb that would cause maximum damage and were inspired by the Al-Qaeda terrorist network. They used pressure cookers filled with shrapnels, such as nails and ball bearings, to increase lethal force.
Death Toll and Aftermath
The bombing resulted in a death toll of three individuals, including an eight-year-old boy, Martin Richard, Krystle Campbell, and Lu Lingzi. More than 260 people were injured, with many requiring immediate medical attention, including amputations and surgeries.
Following the bombing, there was massive media coverage and an outpouring of grief and support toward the victims and their families. Over $60 million was donated to help the victims and their families, and the One Fund, Boston was established to distribute the money.
The Tsarnaev brothers were identified as the primary suspects and were initially unknown; however, security footage revealed them to law enforcement agencies. They robbed a convenience store, murdered an MIT police officer, and then engaged in a gun battle with the police before Tamerlan was killed, and Dzhokhar was captured. Dzhokhar was sentenced to death in May 2015, and to this day, the attacks remain a stark reminder of the cost of terrorism.
In conclusion, the Boston Marathon Bombing is a tragic event with substantial personal, social, and political consequences. The attack highlighted the importance of community collaboration and the impact of terrorist attacks on our daily lives. It took a long time for the city and the victims to rebuild from the devastating tragedy of the bombings, but through strong leadership and the outpouring of support, they were able to restore public safety and the spirit of the marathon.
