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On this day

January 21

1876
Other

January 21, 1876

Fenian Jailbreak in Fremantle

On January 21, 1876, the daring Catalpa rescue successfully freed six Fenian prisoners from Fremantle Prison in Western Australia. This audacious escape was meticulously organized by Irish-American supporters, who chartered the whaling ship Catalpa for the mission. The incident garnered significant public attention and became a celebrated tale of Irish republican resistance against British rule. It deeply embarrassed British authorities and highlighted the enduring commitment to Irish independence, even from distant shores.

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1919
Battles

January 21, 1919

First Shots of War of Independence

On January 21, 1919, the first engagement of the Irish War of Independence took place at Soloheadbeg, County Tipperary. Volunteers from the Irish Republican Army (IRA) ambushed Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) officers who were transporting gelignite explosives. The ambush resulted in the deaths of two RIC constables, marking an unauthorized but pivotal escalation in the conflict. This event is widely considered the effective beginning of the military campaign for Irish independence from British rule.

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1981
Politics

January 21, 1981

Bernadette Devlin's Maiden Speech

On January 21, 1981, Bernadette Devlin McAliskey delivered her maiden speech in the British House of Commons, having been elected as an independent Unity candidate for Mid Ulster. At 21 years old, she became the youngest woman ever elected to the House of Commons. Her powerful and passionate address primarily focused on the pressing issues of civil rights and political unrest in Northern Ireland, bringing a new and assertive voice to the parliamentary debate on Irish affairs.

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