The Falls Curfew marked a significant escalation in the British government’s response to the violent conflicts in Northern Ireland during The Troubles. On that day, British troops were deployed en masse around the Falls Road area of Belfast, a nationalist stronghold. The imposition of the curfew was intended as a tactical measure to prevent further violence and to help arrest armed republicans linked to the Provisional Irish Republican Army (PIRA), which had gained notoriety for its involvement in paramilitary actions against British forces and the unionist community.

Local residents were instructed to remain indoors from 6 PM until the curfew was lifted. This led to protests and increased hostilities, as many felt that the curfew unjustly penalized innocent civilians. Clashes ensued as tensions escalated between residents and military personnel, resulting in a significant backlash against the British Army's tactics. The curfew lasted several days and was perceived by many as an oppressive measure, reinforcing divisions between the nationalist and unionist communities in Belfast.

The curfew not only exemplified the growing use of military intervention in domestic affairs but also highlighted public dissent and international scrutiny over the British government’s handling of The Troubles. The event served as an indication of the increasingly militarized response to civil unrest, impacting community relations and fueling cycles of violence that would continue throughout the 1970s and beyond.