On this day in 1917, Irish priest Father Edward J. Flanagan founded what would become known as "Boys Town" in Omaha, Nebraska. Beginning as a home for troubled and neglected children, only six boys entered the home upon its establishment. Flanagan, who had previously run the Workingman's Hotel, a haven for downtrodden workers, understood that neglected orphans were at a higher … [Read more...] about December 12, 1917
September 25, 1917
Thomas Ashe, member of the Gaelic League, the Irish Republican Brotherhood and one of the founders of the Irish Volunteers, died from a hunger strike on this day in 1917. Ashe, who was born in Co. Kerry, took part in the Easter Uprising of 1916 as a commander of the Fingal Battalion of the Irish Volunteers. On May 8, 1916, both Ashe and De Valera were court martialled by the … [Read more...] about September 25, 1917
May 29, 1917
John F. Kennedy, 35th President of the United States, great grandson of Irish immigrants, was born on Tuesday, May 29, 1917, at at his family's home in Brookline, MA to Joseph P. Kennedy and Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy. He was named after his maternal grandfather John “Honeyfitz” Fitzgerald. Often ill as a child and given the last rites 5 times, the first when he was a newborn, he … [Read more...] about May 29, 1917
April 29, 1916
Ireland's Easter Rising came to an end on this day in 1916. After five days of rebellion, the Irish leaders occupying Dublin's GPO were encircled by the larger British forces, but managed to flee to new headquarters nearby at 16 Moore Street. James Connolly, who had initially been in command, passed the leadership role to Patrick Pearse after sustaining a bullet wound to his … [Read more...] about April 29, 1916
April 26, 1916
On this day in 1916, Irish patriot, journalist, suffragist, and vegetarian Francis Sheehy-Skeffington was murdered by British forces. Skeffington was a supporter of the Women's Social and Political Union which lobbied for women's rights in Britain, and adopted his wife, Hanna’s, surname (Sheehy) as part of his own. Hanna was a teacher and the primary breadwinner, while Francis … [Read more...] about April 26, 1916