On June 16, 1721, a panic erupted in the Court of King's Bench in Dublin during a trial. A neighboring chimney caught fire, sending smoke into the courtroom, causing a stampede. Several people were killed and many more were wounded in the ensuing chaos, including Mr. John Ormsby, a Member of Parliament. The Lord Chief Justice Whitshed reportedly maintained his composure amidst the pandemonium.
Read the full story →Bloomsday commemorates June 16, 1904, the day depicted in James Joyce's novel Ulysses. It is celebrated annually in Dublin and worldwide, honoring Joyce's life and work. The date was chosen by Joyce as it marked his first outing with Nora Barnacle, who later became his wife. The first organized celebration took place in 1954, on the 50th anniversary of the events in the novel, organized by John Ryan and Brian O'Nolan.
Read the full story →On June 16, 2015, a balcony collapsed in Berkeley, California, resulting in the deaths of five Irish J-1 visa students and one Irish-American, with seven others injured. The group was celebrating a 21st birthday. Investigations revealed that the wooden joists supporting the balcony failed due to dry rot from improper construction. The tragedy led to significant changes in California building codes regarding balcony inspections.
Read the full story →