November 28, 1905

Arthur Griffith founded the Irish political party Sinn Fein on this day in Dublin in 1905. At the first annual Convention of the National Council, Griffith outlined what he called the “Sinn Fein” policy. The policy planned “to establish in Ireland’s capital a national legislature endowed with the moral authority of the Irish nation.” At first, support and membership were not very strong, however the party grew following the Easter Rising of 1916. Today, the party is led by Gerry Adams and is one of the largest political parties, with elected representatives in both Northern Ireland and the Republic.