April 26, 2016: Historic verdicts at the Hillsborough inquests
On April 26, 2016, the jury at the Hillsborough inquests returned landmark verdicts which brought truth and justice for the 96 victims of the disaster, their families, survivors and campaigners.
After more than two years of proceedings at the court in Warrington, six women and three men concluded that each of the supporters who lost their lives had been unlawfully killed.
The jury also stated that fans had played no part in causing the tragedy at the FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest on April 15, 1989.
The historic verdicts on that spring day prompted an emotional outpouring inside and outside the court at Birchwood Park, from those who have battled for justice on behalf of their friends and loved ones across three decades.
A civic event was held at St George’s Hall the following day, when thousands of people in the city came together to remember the 96 and pay tribute to the families, survivors and campaigners.
The victims of Hillsborough were posthumously awarded the Freedom of the City of Liverpool in September 2016, and earlier this month respects were paid by Liverpool FC and around the city on the 28th anniversary of the disaster.