On August 9, 1971, British Army Saracen armored cars rolled out at 4:00 AM onto the streets of Belfast to begin Operation Demetrius, the forcible internment of Irish Catholics suspected of being involved in paramilitary activity without charge or trial. Ironically, the British Army was now interning members of the community that they claimed upon their arrival to be protecting … [Read more...] about The Ballymurphy Massacre
History
March is Irish American Heritage Month
Since 1991, March has been recognized by American presidents of both parties as "Irish American Heritage Month, a time when all Americans are called upon to "celebrate the achievements of Irish Americans and their contributions to our Nation with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and programs." This year, when St. Patrick's Day parades and other annual celebrations of … [Read more...] about March is Irish American Heritage Month
Nellie Bly
There was a time when mouse clicks and tweets did not drive reporters; they actually went out, sometimes at great personal peril, to find the news. One such reporter and a pioneer of investigative journalism was Irish American Nellie Bly. Nellie Bly was born Elizabeth Cochrane on May 5, 1864 in Cochran's Mills, now part of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Her father, Michael … [Read more...] about Nellie Bly
A Historical Reflection in the Year of Covid
The end of a year is a time of reflection and evaluation, and so we should ask why we have a history lesson at every meeting and in every newsletter? One can argue that the history of Ireland and Irish America is often sad; a story of a people who were conquered, oppressed, driven from their homes when a crop failure was turned into an opportunity to clear the land of families … [Read more...] about A Historical Reflection in the Year of Covid
On the Centenary of Bloody Sunday 1920
The sun rose on a beautiful autumn day in Dublin on November 21, 1920, belying the fact that the day would be forever remembered as "Bloody Sunday" in Irish history. It would be a day that would host a series of violent and tragic acts; each alone would more than justify that. (see endnote on other "Bloody Sundays"). For over a year since the suppression … [Read more...] about On the Centenary of Bloody Sunday 1920