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

Belfast Car Bombing Sparks Violent Clash

May 13th, 1972 52 years ago

A car bombing near a crowded pub in Belfast led to a violent clash involving the Provisional IRA, the Ulster Volunteer Force, and the British Army. The explosion killed seven individuals and injured over 66 others, igniting a tense, two-day confrontation in the city. This incident reflects the deepening sectarian conflict in Northern Ireland.

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Military & Warfare

Provisional IRA's first car bombing in Belfast

March 20th, 1972 52 years ago

In Belfast, a car bomb detonated by the Provisional IRA killed seven individuals and injured 148 others. The attack marked a significant escalation in the conflict in Northern Ireland, showcasing the group’s increasing use of violence. The bombing targeted a crowded area, emphasizing the risks faced by civilians amid the violence of The Troubles.

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Military & Warfare

IRA Car Bombing at Aldershot Barracks

February 22nd, 1972 53 years ago

The Official Irish Republican Army detonated a car bomb outside Aldershot barracks, resulting in the deaths of seven military personnel and injuries to nineteen others. The attack occurred in the English town of Aldershot, known as the home of the British Army. This incident marked a significant escalation in the conflict between Irish republicans and the British government, highlighting the growing use of violence by the IRA during this period of unrest.

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Politics & Government

Operation Demetrius and Mass Arrests in Northern Ireland

August 9th, 1971 53 years ago

In Northern Ireland, British authorities initiated Operation Demetrius, which involved the mass arrest and internment without trial of suspected members of the Provisional Irish Republican Army (PIRA). The operation sparked widespread unrest, leading to significant riots, protests, and the dislocation of thousands from their homes. The initiative aimed to suppress the escalating violence associated with the conflict but resulted in further tensions and societal divisions.

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Military & Warfare

Ulster Volunteer Force vs. Irish Republican Army

May 21st, 1966 58 years ago

The Ulster Volunteer Force declared a campaign against the Irish Republican Army, signaling increased tensions in Northern Ireland. This announcement came during a time when sectarian violence was intensifying in the region, with the UVF vowing to combat the IRA's activities. The declaration marked a significant escalation in the efforts by loyalist paramilitaries to counter perceived threats from republican groups advocating for Irish nationalism.

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Crime & Law

Coventry Bombing by Irish Republican Army

August 25th, 1939 85 years ago

The Irish Republican Army executed a bombing in Coventry, UK, resulting in the deaths of five civilians. The attack was aimed at political objectives in Britain leading up to World War II, reflecting tensions related to Irish nationalism. The bombing struck a crowd near a busy intersection, causing immediate chaos and casualties.

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Politics & Government

Assassination of Kevin O'Higgins by the IRA

July 10th, 1927 97 years ago

Kevin O'Higgins, a leading figure in the Irish Free State, was assassinated by members of the Irish Republican Army in Ballaghaderreen, County Roscommon. He served as the Vice-President of the Executive Council and was a prominent politician during a tumultuous period in Ireland's history. O'Higgins had played a significant role in the establishment of the Free State and in the subsequent political landscape, characterized by ongoing tensions between differing factions. His assassination marked a turning point in the violence associated with the IRA, who opposed the Free State government’s policies and actions.

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Social Movements & Civil Rights

Irish Republican Prisoners Launch Hunger Strikes

October 14th, 1923 101 years ago

Thousands of Irish republican prisoners initiated hunger strikes to protest their internment without trial in 1923. This large-scale protest emerged after the Irish Civil War, highlighting the unresolved grievances among republicans against the new Free State government. The prisoners demanded recognition of their rights and an end to their detention without due process, drawing significant attention both nationally and internationally.

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Politics & Government

Irish Free State Executes IRA Leaders

December 8th, 1922 102 years ago

Liam Mellows, Rory O'Connor, Joe McKelvey, and Dick Barrett were executed by the Irish Free State government shortly after its establishment. These four men were leaders of the Irish Republican Army, which opposed the Anglo-Irish Treaty that created the Irish Free State. Their execution reflected deep divisions in Ireland over the Treaty, leading to further conflict and civil strife.

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