1921: Irish Free State declared
The
Irish Free State, comprising four-fifths of Ireland, is declared, ending a five-year Irish struggle for independence from Britain. Like other autonomous nations of the former
British Empire, Ireland was to remain part of the British Commonwealth, symbolically subject to the king. A constitution adopted by the people in 1937 declared Ireland to be a
sovereign, independent, democratic state, and the
Irish Free State was renamed Éire.
The Republic of Éire remained neutral during the
Second World War, and in 1949 the Republic of Ireland Act severed the last remaining link with
the Commonwealth. Conflicts persisted over
Northern Ireland, however, and the
Irish Republican Army, outlawed in the south, went underground to try to regain the six northern counties still ruled by Britain.
1992
In
India, a Hindu mob destroys a
mosque and attacks other Muslim buildings in the north Indian town of Ayodhya.
1989
In Quebec,
Canada, 14 women are killed at the École Polytechnique de Montréal when Marc Lépine enters the college and randomly starts shooting before killing himself.
1983
Swedish journalist, Lars Ljungberg becomes the first person to successfully undergo a heart and lung
transplant operation in Britain.
1978
Spain votes in its first democratic elections for 40 years following the death of dictator, General Franco.
1975
In England, three members of the
IRA men who were on the run from the police, siege two hostages in a flat in London, beginning a six day stand off with the police, which came to be known as the Balcombe Street siege.
1933
In America, a federal
judge rules that
Irish author James Joyce’s book ‘Ulysses’ is not obscene.
1917
Finland declares independence from Russia.
1917
In the harbour of Halifax in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia, the most devastating manmade explosion in the pre-atomic age occurs when the Mont Blanc, a French munitions ship, explodes 20 minutes after colliding with another vessel.
1916
In Britain, David Lloyd George becomes Prime Minister.
1907
At least 361 miners are killed in a pit disaster in West Virginia, USA.
1884
The Washington Memorial, a monument to America’s first president,
George Washington, is completed in Washington DC.
1865
The 13th Amendment to the American Constitution, officially ending
slavery, is ratified.
1534
In
Ecuador, the city of Quito is formally established by Spanish settlers.
1951
Ballet dancer Wendy Ellis1948
Motor racing driver Keke Rosberg, racing driver.1920
Jazz pianist & composer Dave Brubeck 1888
British
music hall entertainer and film comedy
actor Will Hay born at Stockton-on-Tees in the north of England.
