Irish America

Today in History

Remembering Michael Collins, Pilot of The First Moon Landing, and a True Pioneer

By Patricia Harty, Editor-In-Chief and Gregory Chestler, Editorial Assistant

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The most trusted designated driver of all time has died. Astronaut Michael Collins passed away at his home in Florida on April 28. He was 90 years old, and he had been battling cancer.  On July 20, 1969, two American astronauts landed on the moon and became the first humans to walk on the lunar surface. As the astronaut in charge of orbiting the Moon as his crewmates, Neil … [Read more...] about Remembering Michael Collins, Pilot of The First Moon Landing, and a True Pioneer

Astronaut Michael Collins on the Moon Landing

By Gregory Chestler, Editorial Assistant
July 20, 2019

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The most trusted designated driver of all time reflects on the ride 50 years after lift-off and offers wisdom to those who will be behind the wheel in years to come. Today (July 20) marks the 51th anniversary of the moon landing, the one where that Armstrong guy took “one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” With Neil Armstrong having passed on nearly seven years … [Read more...] about Astronaut Michael Collins on the Moon Landing

Striking Gold – Transcontinental Railroad Turns 150

By Mary Gallagher, Assistant Editor
May 10, 2019

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Irish contributions to American history received a special recognition this week. The 150th anniversary of connecting the First Transcontinental Railroad was commemorated in a two-day celebration in Utah May 9 and 10 at Promontory Point, the state landmark where the Golden Spike connecting the track’s east and west branches was struck on May 10, 1869. The railroad was six years … [Read more...] about Striking Gold – Transcontinental Railroad Turns 150

August 1

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Officially known in the Celtic calendar as Lughnasa and the first day of Autumn, August 1st marks the celebration of the old Celtic god Lugh. Gaelic tradition holds that Lughnasa was a common time for handfastings, or trial marriages of the time. It is believed that Lugh chose August 1st as the day for a harvest festival as a way of remembering his dead foster-mother. Today, … [Read more...] about August 1

July 25

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July 25th marks the feast of St. James in the liturgical calendar of the Roman Catholic Church. Dubliners celebrate this day by holding an annual drinking festival, which has been a tradition since the medieval era. Likewise, Irish pilgrims who choose to honor St. James and walk the Santiago de Compostela in Spain, often leave from St. James's Gate in Dublin, where the Guinness … [Read more...] about July 25