Historical Events tagged with "ira"

Turns out history loves a label—battles, breakthroughs, and the occasional disaster, all neatly tagged for your browsing pleasure. Because sometimes you just need every weird invention in one place.

Military & Warfare

IRA Mortar Attack on RUC in Newry

February 28th, 1985 40 years ago

Members of the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) launched a mortar attack on the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) police station in Newry, Northern Ireland, resulting in the deaths of nine police officers. The assault was part of the ongoing conflict between Irish republicans and British security forces, motivated by the IRA's goal of ending British rule in Northern Ireland. This incident marked one of the deadliest attacks against security forces during the Troubles, a period of conflict in Northern Ireland that spanned several decades.

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Politics & Government

Failed Assassination Attempt on Margaret Thatcher

October 12th, 1984 40 years ago

An assassination attempt on Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and her cabinet took place when a bomb exploded at the Grand Hotel in Brighton during the Conservative Party conference. Although Thatcher survived the attack, five people lost their lives, and at least 31 others were injured in the blast. The Provisional Irish Republican Army claimed responsibility for the bombing as part of their campaign against British rule in Northern Ireland.

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Crime & Law

Provisional IRA Car Bombing at Harrods

December 17th, 1983 41 years ago

A car bomb detonated by members of the Provisional IRA at Harrods Department Store in London led to the deaths of three police officers and three civilians. The attack occurred during the busy Christmas shopping season, showcasing the escalating violence associated with the Troubles in Northern Ireland. The bombing caused extensive damage and panic among shoppers, highlighting the reach of the IRA campaign in mainland Britain and the ongoing conflict's impact on public safety.

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Crime & Law

IRA Prisoners Hijack Lorry for Escape

September 25th, 1983 41 years ago

Thirty-eight prisoners of the Irish Republican Army (IRA), armed with six handguns, hijacked a prison meals lorry to orchestrate a dramatic escape from the Maze Prison in Northern Ireland. This well-planned operation was executed amidst the ongoing conflict surrounding the Troubles, a period marked by intense political and sectarian strife in the region. The prisoners' escape underscored the vulnerabilities in the prison security system and highlighted the extent to which the IRA was willing to go to free its members.

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Military & Warfare

IRA Bombings in Hyde Park and Regent's Park

July 20th, 1982 42 years ago

Two bombs were detonated by the Provisional IRA in Hyde Park and Regent's Park, targeting British soldiers. The attacks resulted in the deaths of eight soldiers and wounded forty-seven others, alongside the tragic loss of seven horses. This incident heightened tensions in Northern Ireland and the British mainland.

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Social Movements & Civil Rights

Bobby Sands' Death in Prison Hospital

May 5th, 1981 43 years ago

Bobby Sands, an Irish nationalist and member of the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA), died in Long Kesh prison hospital after enduring a hunger strike for 66 days. Sands was protesting against the British government's refusal to grant political prisoner status to IRA inmates, a demand reflective of the broader conflict surrounding Northern Ireland. His death garnered international attention and highlighted the complexities of the political situation in Northern Ireland, galvanizing support for the Republican cause.

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Social Movements & Civil Rights

Bobby Sands Commences Hunger Strike

March 1st, 1981 44 years ago

Bobby Sands, a member of the Provisional Irish Republican Army, began a hunger strike in HM Prison Maze on March 1, 1981. This hunger strike was part of a protest against the British government's denial of political status to IRA prisoners. Sands and other prisoners sought to regain rights they believed were stripped away following a change in legislation. The strike was intended to draw international attention to their plight and the broader issue of Northern Ireland's political situation.

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Military & Warfare

Deadly IRA Ambush and Lord Mountbatten Assassination

August 27th, 1979 45 years ago

A significant IRA ambush near Warrenpoint resulted in the deaths of eighteen British soldiers, marking a critical moment in the conflict. Concurrently, an IRA bomb claimed the life of Lord Mountbatten, a British royal family member, along with three others while on his boat at Mullaghmore in the Republic of Ireland. These attacks highlighted the escalating violence during the Troubles and the effectiveness of the Provisional Irish Republican Army in executing complex operations against British targets.

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Military & Warfare

Provisional IRA Bombing at La Mon Restaurant

February 17th, 1978 47 years ago

The Provisional IRA detonated an incendiary bomb at the La Mon restaurant near Belfast, killing 12 people and injuring 30 others, all of whom were Protestant. This attack was part of the ongoing conflict known as The Troubles in Northern Ireland that pitted Catholic nationalists against Protestant unionists. The restaurant was a popular dining destination, and the bombing occurred during a dinner service, exacerbating the tragedy and drawing national attention.

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