The 10 Most Heartbreaking Days in U.S. History

A collection of 10 major events that shaped U.S. history, including terrorist attacks, assassinations, natural disasters, and pivotal moments in war and politics.

1 September 11, 2001 – Terror Attacks on the U.S.

Four coordinated hijackings by al-Qaeda resulted in the destruction of the World Trade Center in New York City, a strike on the Pentagon, and a crash in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Nearly 3,000 people were killed, prompting major changes in U.S. national security.

2 December 7, 1941 – Attack on Pearl Harbor

Japanese forces launched a surprise assault on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, destroying ships and aircraft and killing over 2,400 Americans. The attack led directly to the U.S. entering World War II.

3 November 22, 1963 – Assassination of John F. Kennedy

President John F. Kennedy was fatally shot while riding in a motorcade in Dallas, Texas. He died shortly afterward, and Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson was sworn in as president the same day.

4 April 14, 1865 – Assassination of Abraham Lincoln

President Abraham Lincoln was shot by John Wilkes Booth at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C., while attending a play. He succumbed to his wounds the following morning, just days after the Civil War’s effective end.

5 October 29, 1929 – Stock Market Crash

A dramatic drop in stock prices triggered widespread panic and wiped out billions in market value. Known as Black Tuesday, the crash played a major role in the onset of the Great Depression.

6 April 19, 1995 – Oklahoma City Bombing

A truck bomb exploded outside the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building, killing 168 people and injuring hundreds, including children. The domestic terrorist attack was carried out by Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols.

7 April 4, 1968 – Assassination of Martin Luther King Jr

FILE – In this April 3, 1968 file photo, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. stands with other civil rights leaders on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tenn., a day before he was assassinated at approximately the same place. From left are Hosea Williams, Jesse Jackson, King, and Ralph Abernathy. King is one of America’s most famous victims of gun violence. Just as guns were a complicated issue for King in his lifetime, they loom large over the 30th anniversary of the holiday honoring his birthday. (AP Photo/Charles Kelly, File)

Civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. was shot and killed at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee, where he had come to support striking sanitation workers. James Earl Ray was arrested and convicted of the murder.

8 April 12, 1861 – Start of the Civil War

The Civil War began when Confederate forces fired on Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina. After 34 hours of bombardment, Union forces surrendered the fort, igniting a four-year conflict.

9 January 28, 1986 – Challenger Disaster

The Space Shuttle Challenger broke apart 73 seconds after liftoff from Cape Canaveral, killing all seven crew members, including a civilian teacher. The tragedy halted the shuttle program for nearly three years.

10 September 8, 1900 – Galveston Hurricane

More than 6,000 people were killed and 10,000 left homeless from the Great Galveston Storm.

A catastrophic hurricane struck Galveston, Texas, destroying much of the city and killing an estimated 6,000 to 8,000 people. It remains the deadliest natural disaster in U.S. history.