Today In History

Born Terence Alan Patrick Sean Milligan, "Spike" Milligan was a comedian and writer famous for "The Goon Show." Milligan was born in India and spent much of his childhood there, but eventually became an Irish citizen in 1962. He joined the British Army and served in World War II. During this time he wrote a full length comic novel called "Puckoon," which is an autobiographical … [Read more...] about February 27, 2002

On February 9, 2002, the Irish pound or punt ceased to be legal tender and was officially replaced by the euro. On January 1, 1999, the euro became the official currency in eurozone countries like Ireland, but the state did not began to withdraw the pound from national circulation until January 1, 2002. The withdrawal of the Irish pound was relatively slower than tender … [Read more...] about February 9, 2002

Thousands of Irish, New Yorkers, and Irish Americans paid tribute to the many Irish and Irish Americans lost in the 9/11 attacks on this day in 2001. The mass took place at the Roman Catholic Holy Trinity Church in Manhattan and was celebrated by Bishop John Buckley of Cork. The Bishop of Killaloe, William Walsh, was also in attendance. … [Read more...] about September 30, 2001

In the wake of 9/11, all Delta, Aer Lingus and Continental flights resumed services to and from Ireland on this day in 2001. The first trans-atlantic flights since air service was cancelled following the terrorist attacks depart from Shannon and Dublin en route to New York, Chicago and Washington. Priority status was given to U.S. residents who had relatives injured or lost in … [Read more...] about September 15, 2001

A first edition draft of a chapter from James Joyce's "Ulysses" is sold for close to £900,000 at an auction on this date in 2001. The scribble-filled manuscript of the chapter, titled Eumaeus, was sold by Sotheby's. It was expected to sell for more than £1m. … [Read more...] about July 10, 2001