Puerto Rican nationals opened fire from the gallery, spraying the floor of the House of Representatives in a hail of some 30 bullets. Five Representatives were shot and seriously wounded in the attack before the Nationals, Lolita Lebron, Rafael Miranda, Andres Cordero and Irving Rodriquez were arrested.

It served as an unpleasant wakeup call to those who felt the Halls of Congress and elected officials were immune to acts of violence. Something which, no doubt makes it all that much more apparent today. And something which, sadly is taken for granted in 2011.