Today in History

Irish American actor George Clooney makes his first debut in television's "Facts of Life" on this day in 1985. Clooney, who was unknown at the time, gained the reappearing role as the handyman on "Facts of Life," the popular tv sitcom. He was on the show for 17 episodes, but did not shoot to fame until his role as Dr. Doug Ross on "ER" beginning in 1994. Clooney went on to star … [Read more...] about September 21, 1985

329 passengers were killed in a plane crash off the coast of Ireland. Air India flight 182 was en route from Montreal to Dehli, when it was blown up in Irish airspace by a bomb. Investigation into the flight led Canadian officials to believe that a Sikh militant group called Babbar Khalsa was responsible for the bombing. 280 Canadian citizens, 27 British citizens and 22 Indian … [Read more...] about June 23, 1985

The men's tennis Wimbledon final on this day in 1984 is a showdown between two great Irish Americans, John McEnroe and Jimmy Connors. McEnroe defeated Connors 6-1, 6-1, 6-2, giving him his 7th Grand Slam title and his 3rd Wimbledon win. … [Read more...] about July 8, 1984

On this day in 1983, thoroughbred stallion race horse Shergar, named Europe's Horse of the Year in 1981, was kidnapped from a farm in County Kildare. Shergar was owned by the Aga Khan and worth approximately $13.5 million. On the night of February 8th, armed men arrived at the home of James Fitzpatrick, one of Shergar's grooms. The kidnappers demanded Fitzpatrick lead them to … [Read more...] about February 8, 1983

Irish American actress and Princess of Monaco Grace Kelly tragically died in a car accident on this day in 1982. The former actress, who got her first break in High Noon (1952), went on to star in such hits as Rear Window (1954) and Dial M for Murder (1954). She won the Oscar for Best Actress for her performance in The Country Girl (1954). Kelly reportedly suffered a stroke … [Read more...] about September 14, 1982