Good Friday Agreement Comes into Effect

December 2, 1999

On December 2, 1999, the Good Friday Agreement, officially known as the Belfast Agreement, formally came into effect. This landmark accord, signed in April 1998, was a crucial step in the Northern Ireland peace process, aiming to end decades of conflict. Its implementation led to the establishment of devolved government in Northern Ireland, power-sharing arrangements, and a framework for future political stability. The agreement was a result of extensive negotiations between the British and Irish governments and political parties in Northern Ireland, marking a new era of cooperation and reconciliation.