The Sterling Hall Bombing Rocked Madison

On Aug. 24, 1970, UW-Madison’s Sterling Hall was bombed in protest of the Vietnam War. The explosion killed a physics researcher, injured others, and caused millions of dollars of damages. Three of the four alleged bombers served prison sentences, while the fourth, Leo Burt, has never been seen since.  A UW Libraries oral history project from 2010 archives the memories and accounts of Madisonians who lived through the blast. Some of their voices are featured on this episode. Plus, host Bianca Martin chats to UW oral historian Troy Reeves about the event and its lasting impact on the Madison community 56 years later. This episode was originally published on Aug. 25, 2025.  👋 Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Instagram!  📧 You can get more Madison news delivered right to your inbox by subscribing to the City Cast Madison morning newsletter.  🏠 Get more from City Cast Madison when you become a City Cast Madison Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events, and more. Join the City Cast Madison Neighbors program! Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads. Learn more about the sponsors of this August 25th episode: Bike The Barns Dane County Humane Society