Nick Maxwell

1981 The ‘Friends of Ireland’ organisation, to support initiatives for peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland, was launched by leading members of the US Congress.

2009 Two British soldiers were shot dead by the Real IRA outside Massereene Barracks in Antrim town. 1967 Minister of Home Affairs William Craig banned commemorations in Northern Ireland to mark the centenary of the Fenian Rising. He also banned Republican Clubs, which he described as a front for the IRA. 1936 German troops occupied … Read more

1836 The Siege of the Alamo ended when the forces of General Antonio López de Santa Anna overran the former Franciscan mission near San Antonio, Texas, which 184 settlers had heroically defended for thirteen days. The final assault by a Mexican army of between 1,800 and 6,000 men lasted less than an hour, and on … Read more

1971 In an interview with the BBC, Taoiseach Jack Lynch stated that the constitutional claim by the Republic to jurisdiction over the six counties of Northern Ireland was fundamental and could not be abandoned. 1976 Secretary of State Merlyn Rees announced the ending of special- category status for political prisoners in Northern Ireland.