1972 In a referendum on Ireland’s membership of the European Community, almost five to one voted ‘Yes’—1,041,890 in favour, 211,891 against. 1869 The 1,776-mile US transcontinental railroad was completed when the Central Pacific Railroad from the west and the Union Pacific Railroad from the east met in Utah. 1994 Nelson Mandela was sworn in as … Read more
1567 Shane O’Neill of Tyrone was heavily defeated by Hugh O’Donnell at the Battle of Farsetmore, near Letterkenny, Co. Donegal. 1916 Éamonn Ceannt (34), Michael Mallin (36), Con Colbert (25) and Seán Heuston (25) executed. 1987At Loughgall, Co. Armagh, an eight-man IRA unit, about to attack the local RUC station, was wiped out by a … Read more
1992 Eamon Casey, bishop of Galway, resigned after it was revealed that he had fathered a son by an American woman, Annie Murphy. 1812 Robert Browning, English poet and playwright, born in Camberwell, London. 2008 Brian Cowan (48), minister for finance and tánaiste, was elected taoiseach by Dáil Éireann.
1970 Taoiseach Jack Lynch dismissed from cabinet Minister for Finance Charles J. Haughey and Minister for Agriculture Neil Blaney. Minister for Local Government Kevin Boland resigned in sympathy with his two colleagues. 1882 Whilst strolling in Dublin’s Phoenix Park, Chief Secretary Lord Frederick Cavendish and his under-secretary, Thomas Burke, were set upon by a six-man … Read more
1821 Napoleon Bonaparte (51), outstanding military leader and emperor of the French (1804–14), died from cancer as a prisoner of the British on the island of St Helena. 1980 The Iranian Embassy siege in London ended after five days when the SAS stormed the building, killing all but one of the six members of an … Read more