Who Was David Koresh?
David Koresh was the leader of the Branch Davidians, a religious sect that emerged from the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Born Vernon Howell in 1959, he adopted the name David Koresh in the late 1980s and became the group's central figure, claiming to be its final prophet.
What Were the Branch Davidians?
The Branch Davidians were a millenarian religious community near Waco, Texas, tracing their roots to earlier Adventist offshoots. The group studied biblical prophecy, lived communally, and followed Koresh's teachings, which included distinctive interpretations of scripture and apocalyptic expectations.
What Happened During the 1993 Siege?
In early 1993, a federal raid on the Branch Davidian compound near Waco led to a 51-day standoff. The siege ended on April 19, 1993, when a fire destroyed the building, killing Koresh and many followers. The event remains a key case study in U.S. law enforcement and religious history. For more background, see the Waco siege overview.
