National Politics

Historian draws parallels between Minneapolis and Kent State

WBUR | By Here & Now Newsroom

Published January 27, 2026 at 11:54 AM EST

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A general view shows tear gas and students during an anti-Vietnam war protest at Kent State University in Kent Ohio, May 4, 1970. U.S. National Guardsmen opened fire during the protests killing four students and wounding five. (Larry Stoddard/AP)

The killing of two people at the hands of federal officials has Princeton University historian Julian Zelizer thinking back to May 4, 1970, when National Guard troops opened fire and killed four students protesting the Vietnam War at Kent State University in Ohio.

Here & Now’s Robin Young speaks with Zelizer.

This article was originally published on WBUR.org.