On this day in 2005, President George W. Bush proclaimed March 2006 to be Irish-American Heritage Month. The following February, he issued a statement saying, "The histories of Ireland and the United States are deeply intertwined. For generations, the sons and daughters of Ireland have come to America with a spirit of determination and optimism that has strengthened our … [Read more...] about March 7, 2005
Today In History
August 11, 2003
American, Canadian and Irish engineers are successful in their combined efforts to fly the first transatlantic model plane. The plane, named the "Spirit of Butts Farm" after its testing site, landed on August 11, 2003 in Galway, 38 hours after it took off from Canada. The small wood and mylar plane flew a total of 1,888 miles using satellite navigation and an autopilot system. … [Read more...] about August 11, 2003
June 12, 2003
Legendary actor and Oscar winner Gregory Peck died on this day in 2003. Peck, who's grandmother Catherine Ashe came from Dingle, studied at the Neighborhood Playhouse in New York and debuted in his first Broadway show The Morning Star after graduation. His role in The Keys of the Kingdom in 1944 won him an Academy Award nomination. He became well known for his rugged screen … [Read more...] about June 12, 2003
April 25, 2003
Sinead O'Connor announced retirement from the music business for the second time on April 25, 2003. The provocative Irish singer rose to international fame in the late 1980s and early '90s. She was acclaimed for her unique sound and strong message, and also noted for her changeable relationship with the public. O'Connor's first retirement came in 1992, shortly after scandal … [Read more...] about April 25, 2003
September 11, 2002
In an effort to show solidarity and support for the United States just a year after the 9/11 World Trade Center attacks, all Irish businesses, schools and shops came to a close at 1:46pm on this day in 2002. This time marked the exact moment, in Irish time, that the first plane hit the North Tower of the World Trade Center in New York City. A year earlier, on the day of 9/11, … [Read more...] about September 11, 2002