From the 60 Minutes archives: Kent State

Summary

The tragic Kent State University shooting, on May 4, 1970, claimed the lives of four students and left nine wounded when National Guardsmen opened fire on campus. The iconic photo of a grieving Maryanne Veo, kneeling over the body of Jeffrey Miller, symbolized the emotional impact of the Vietnam War and the turmoil in America. However, Maryanne was not a student or war protester; she was a 14-year-old runaway who found herself in the tragic moment by chance. Her personal reflection reveals the raw confusion and fear she felt in the aftermath of the shooting.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Kent State University shooting occurred on May 4, 1970, when National Guardsmen opened fire on students, killing four and wounding nine.
• 😀 The photograph of Maryanne Veo weeping over Jeffrey Miller's body became a global symbol of the tragedy, but was later revealed to be misunderstood.
• 😀 The photo won a Pulitzer Prize and came to represent the wider grief of America during the Vietnam War.
• 😀 Maryanne Veo, the girl in the photograph, was not a Kent State student, nor a war protester—she was a 14-year-old runaway who had no connection to the campus.
• 😀 The image of Maryanne Veo crying over the body of Jeffrey Miller symbolized the emotional impact of the event on the American public.
• 😀 At the time, Maryanne Veo didn't fully comprehend the gravity of what had occurred, as she had never witnessed someone being shot before.
• 😀 She expressed that she cared for the boy in the photo, despite not knowing him or the broader political context of the situation.
• 😀 Maryanne Veo had previously experienced the death of her grandmother, but had never encountered death in such a violent and public manner.
• 😀 After realizing what had happened, Maryanne Veo was scared and simply ran away from the scene.
• 😀 The tragic event and the viral photograph helped to stir national emotions about the Vietnam War and its domestic consequences on American society.

Q & A

What tragic event is described in the script?

The script describes the Kent State shootings on May 4th, 1970, where four students were killed, and nine others were wounded when National Guardsmen opened fire on the campus.

How did the photograph of Maryanne Veo become significant?

The photograph of Maryanne Veo kneeling over the body of Jeffrey Miller became an iconic image representing the grief and tragedy of both the Vietnam War and the state of America at the time. It later won a Pulitzer Prize.

What misconception does the script address regarding Maryanne Veo?

The script clarifies that Maryanne Veo was not a student at Kent State, not a war resistor, and not symbolic of any broader movement. She was actually a 14-year-old runaway who happened to be at Kent State that day.

What is Maryanne Veo's emotional reaction as described in the script?

Maryanne Veo expressed fear and confusion as she knelt over the body of Jeffrey Miller. She didn't understand death fully at the time, except from her experiences with her grandmother's funeral. She was scared and ran away after realizing what had happened.

What does the phrase 'moment of grief for an American Coed' signify in the script?

The phrase represents the initial interpretation of the photograph as symbolizing the grief of America during the Vietnam War, as many people saw it as representing a grieving student in the context of the national tragedy.

What was the general public's reaction to the Kent State shooting?

The shooting and the subsequent photograph gained widespread media attention, with the image being shared globally. It became a symbol of the deep divisions within American society, particularly concerning the Vietnam War and the growing anti-war movement.

How did the event at Kent State affect public opinion about the Vietnam War?

The Kent State shootings were a turning point in public opinion, deepening the divide between those in favor of the Vietnam War and those who opposed it. The deaths of the students and the media coverage, including the iconic photograph, contributed to widespread anti-war sentiment.

How did the National Guard's actions contribute to the tragedy at Kent State?

The National Guardsmen opened fire on students during a protest, leading to the deaths of four students and the wounding of nine others. This action sparked outrage and became a symbol of government overreach and the violent suppression of protests.

What did Maryanne Veo feel after witnessing the shooting?

After witnessing the shooting and realizing what had happened, Maryanne Veo felt overwhelmed and scared. She ran away from the scene, unable to fully comprehend the gravity of the situation.

Why is the Kent State shooting still remembered today?

The Kent State shooting is remembered as a significant moment in American history because it symbolized the violent confrontation between the government and young Americans protesting the Vietnam War. It marked a pivotal moment in the 1960s and 1970s anti-war movement and highlighted the tensions within American society.