The Cathedral of Assumption of Blessed Virgin Mary, the first U.S. Catholic cathedral, is dedicated in Baltimore. The cathedral, now a Basilica, was envisioned by John Carroll, America's first bishop, who was the founder of the American Catholic hierarchy and Georgetown University. It was designed by renowned architect Benjamin Henry Latrobe. Carroll, whose father was born in … [Read more...] about May 31, 1821
Today In History
February 17, 1821
Lola Montez, actress, dancer, courtesan, mistress and Countess of Landsfeld, was born Eliza Gilbert in Co. Sligo on February 17, 1821. After her birth, her family moved to India, but Lola was sent to several boarding schools in England. She eloped at the age of 16 with Lieutenant Thomas James, but the two separated after five years. It was at this time that Lola Montez adopted … [Read more...] about February 17, 1821
March 28, 1820
On this day in 1820, Sir William Howard Russell was born in Tallaght, County Dublin. Russell is considered one of the first modern war correspondents, though he is known to have despised the term. As a young reporter, Russell spent twenty-two months covering the Crimean War, which was one of the first wars to be documented extensively in both written reports and in photographs. … [Read more...] about March 28, 1820
October 25, 1818
On this day in 1818, Irish Opera singer Catherine Hayes was born in Limerick. Hayes had a house cleaning position at Lord Limerick's house. There Dr. Knox, Bishop of Limerick for the Church of Ireland, overheard her singing. He launched her career and arranged her education. She went on to study in Paris and Milan for five years. Hayes made her debut at the Italian Opera in … [Read more...] about October 25, 1818
April 5, 1818
On this day in 1818, Bernardo O'Higgins helped to secure the independence of Chile from Spain in the Battle of Maipú. O'Higgins, then Commander in Chief of the Chilean Army, was the illegitimate son of Ambrosio (formerly Ambrose) Bernardo O'Higgins, an Irishman from Co. Sligo who had moved to Spain as a young man and received colonial postings of increasing importance from the … [Read more...] about April 5, 1818