William Armstrong papers

May 4 Collection - Box 173

Finding Aid

Author: Marsha Keith, June 27, 2000
Revisions: Updated by Haley Antell, October 2018

Descriptive Rules: DACS
Inclusive Dates: 1970
Extent: .16 cubic foot (1 slim document case)
Physical Location: 12th floor
Language of Materials: English

Biographical Note: William George Armstrong was an undergraduate student at Kent State University at the time of the Kent State shootings of May 4, 1970. After working for the Record-Courier for a year as a student, Armstrong was hired as the editor of the Daily Kent Stater (DKS) in March of 1970. The DKS suspended publication following the shootings. Armstrong was then hired for a short-term position by the University News Service to help cover the aftermath of the shootings. He graduated from Kent State with a B.A. in political science in 1970.

Scope and Content: This collection contains materials gathered by William Armstrong in the days preceding and following the Kent State shootings. Materials include letters sent to Armstrong in his capacity as the editor of the Daily Kent Stater, leaflets, and other printed material related to student movements in 1970. Also included are six black and white photographs. Some of the photographs were taken by Howard Ruffner; the source of the other photographs is unknown.

Statement of Arrangement: Materials are arranged alphabetically by type of item.

Restrictions on Use: The photographs in this collection are not owned by Kent State University and most are from unknown sources. Permission for use beyond personal research use cannot be provided by Special Collections and Archives.

Alternate Form Available: This collection has been digitized and a portion of it is available online. The inventory below includes links to the digital content.

May 4 Collection -- Box 173
Folder -- Contents

1. Correspondence: to/from William Armstrong: May 1970
   Scope and Content: Correspondence sent from people across the United States to William Armstrong, editor of the Daily Kent Stater at the time of the Kent State shootings of May 4, 1970. Letters include senders' opinions on the shootings, the Vietnam War, and student strikes. This file includes one letter sent by Armstrong to fellow Kent State students.
2. Correspondence: to William Armstrong: undated
3. Leaflet: Action Group West: undated
4. Leaflet: Associated Students of the University of California: May 6, 1970
5. Leaflet: Coalition for Economic Dissent: May 8, 1970
6. Newsletter: Washington Watch, no. 76: May 4, 1970
   Author: Coffin, Tristram
7. Petition: Asian Information Project: May 7, 1970
8. Poetry: Morris, D.: May 5, 1970
   Scope and Content: Includes two poems, titled Kent State Requiem: Sandy and Kent State Requiem: Allison.
   Author: Morris, D.
9. Postcard: International Union of Students: undated
   Scope and Content: Postcard for the Campaign of Latin American Youth and Students for Democratic Freedom and the Release of Political Prisoners in Columbia.
10. Press Release: National Student Association: May 1, 1970
    Scope and Content: Statement by the National Student Association and Student Body Presidents calling for the impeachment of Richard Nixon.
11. Photograph: Confiscated Materials: 1970
12. Photograph: National Guardsman: 1970
13. Photograph: National Guardsmen: 1970
14. Photograph: Rubin, Jerry: 1970
    Author: Ruffner, Howard
15. Photograph: Rubin, Jerry: 1970
    Author: Ruffner, Howard
16. Photograph: Students Fleeing Tear Gas on Commons: 1970