Northern Ireland has two flags which divided people.
Irish = Catholic = Nationalist or Republican
British = Protestant =Nationalist
Irish speak Irish/Gaelic, play Gaelic football or hurling
British speak English, play football or cricket
In1921 the island of Ireland was divided into two states and Northern Ireland was formed. New government formed.
Sir James Craig, First Prime Minister, said Northern Ireland will be a free state and a Protestant state.
Protestants got better jobs, houses, schools.
To vote now you had to be over 21, and own a home and land.
In the 1960s the Civil Rights Movement began.
Matches soon became tens of thousands of people. They soon removed the votingrequirement to own land.
Martial Law was enacted by the British Army. Catholic communities reject the Army and form private armies.
1970 IRA formed
Protestant side started forming their own armies, too
Internment law said resistant members could be attested and held In prison indefinitely without a trial. 2000 were arrested, only 12 were Protestant.
U2 wrote a song Sunday Bloody Sunday about Lonsonderry. A march took place against internment.
At 9:05 eleven shots were fired and eleven women and children were killed. The British Army shot them as they tried to return home before the 9:00 curfew.
In 1972, northern Ireland was no longer able to elect their own government.
1973 at City Hall the IRA set off eleven bombs simultaneously.
Peace Walls began to be raised higher. Many feel they should now be removed.
Bobby Sands attested as an IRA member. Margaret Thatcher was angered by Internment Law, and renamed political prisoners. Republican community/freedom fighters angered and began to protest in the prison.
1. Refused to wear uniforms and only wore blankets.
2. Refused to use bathrooms and smeared it on the walls.
3. Hunger strike. Bobby Sands died after 57 days.
He became a Member of Parliament while in prison. Never released to take a seat in Parliament.
Jerry Adams with the Clintons in 1997. All parties brought together in 99 days of negotiations.
Referendum said anyone over 18 could now vote. This 32-page book was sent, 16 pages for and against.
New Police laws said 50% had to be Catholic on the force
Now Northern Ireland can be known for tourism
Belfast safest capital city in Europe
Manchester United best player from Northern Ireland
Keep focused on the road ahead! Younger generation will deliver the new Northern Ireland. The future will be painted for all sides!
Northern Ireland is appreciative of the US and their role in The Troubles.
