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April 19

1775
Battles

April 19, 1775

Irish Involvement in American Revolutionary War

On April 19, 1775, the American Revolutionary War began with skirmishes at Lexington and Concord. Irish individuals played a significant role on both sides of the conflict. Many Irish immigrants and those of Irish descent joined the Continental Army, with some estimates suggesting up to half of George Washington's forces had Irish roots. Notably, ten of Washington's generals were Irish-born. Conversely, two Irish regiments, 'the Volunteers of Ireland' and 'the Roman Catholic Volunteers,' fought for the British, composed partly of Irish deserters from the Continental Army.

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1875
Politics

April 19, 1875

Home Rule Conference in Dublin

On April 19, 1875, Isaac Butt, a prominent Irish lawyer and politician, convened a significant Home Rule conference in Dublin. This gathering aimed to unite various factions of constitutional nationalism under the banner of self-governance for Ireland within the United Kingdom. The conference was a crucial step in the development of the Home Rule movement, demonstrating a broad desire for legislative independence and laying groundwork for future political campaigns that sought to restore an Irish parliament.

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1972
Politics

April 19, 1972

Widgery Tribunal Report on Bloody Sunday

On April 19, 1972, the Widgery Tribunal published its report into the events of 'Bloody Sunday' in Derry, Northern Ireland. The tribunal, led by Lord Widgery, the Lord Chief Justice of England, largely exonerated the British Army soldiers who had fired on unarmed civil rights marchers, killing 13 people and injuring many more. The report controversially placed blame on the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association (NICRA) for organizing the march, despite widespread condemnation from nationalist communities and human rights groups who viewed it as a whitewash.

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