Today in History

The Irish Nationalist League is formed on this day in 1882. Founded by Ireland's "uncrowned king" and nationalist politician Charles Stewart Parnell, the Irish Nationalist League was the successor to the former Irish Land League. The two parties had different goals though. The former Land League fought for land reform in Ireland, but the Nationalist League campaigned for Home … [Read more...] about October 17, 1882

Padraic O Conaire, one of the most important yet lesser known figures in the Gaelic Revival movement, was born on February 20, 1882 in Galway. After emigrating to London in 1899, O Conaire got a position with the Board of Education. It was through this position that he first became involved with the work of the Gaelic League. He returned to Ireland in 1914 and taught at … [Read more...] about February 20, 1882

The Land League, under the guidance of Charles Stewart Parnell, who was imprisoned at Kilmainham Gaol, issued the "No Rent Manifesto" on this day in 1881. The manifesto called for a national tenant farmer rent strike in order to combat the Second Land Act of 1881. The Land League was immediately suppressed by the British upon the issue of this manifesto. This would eventually … [Read more...] about October 18, 1881

Edward Augustine Walsh was born in Pennsylvania to a family of Irish immigrants. At age 12, he began working in the coal fields. He grew to be 6'.1" and at 193 lbs became known at "Big Ed." In 1902, urged on by a friend, he tried out for the Wilkes-Barre baseball team. He joined the Chicago White Sox in 1904, becoming one of the top pitchers in the American league. Walsh is … [Read more...] about May 14, 1881

The term "boycotting"- a form of non-violent protesting - entered the English language on this day in 1880. Coined by Charles Stewart Parnell in his speech on land tenants at Ennis, he said, "I wish to point out a better way, a more Christian way which will give the lost man an opportunity of repenting. When a man takes a farm from which another has been evicted, you must shun … [Read more...] about September 19, 1880