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On this day

February 14

1895
Culture

February 14, 1895

Oscar Wilde's Trial Begins

On February 14, 1895, Oscar Wilde's libel case against the Marquess of Queensberry commenced. This pivotal legal battle ultimately led to Wilde's own prosecution and subsequent imprisonment on charges of gross indecency. The events surrounding the trial represent a significant and tragic chapter in Irish literary history, highlighting the societal attitudes and legal constraints of the late 19th century regarding personal freedoms and artistic expression. It profoundly impacted Wilde's life and career, marking a dramatic downfall for the celebrated playwright.

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1921
Battles

February 14, 1921

Clonmult Ambush

The Clonmult Ambush occurred on February 14, 1921, during the Irish War of Independence. British forces launched a surprise attack on a training camp of the Irish Republican Army (IRA) volunteers in Clonmult, County Cork. The engagement resulted in substantial casualties for the IRA, making it one of the costliest encounters for the republican movement during the conflict. The ambush was a severe blow to the IRA's operational capacity in the region and remains a somber reminder of the intense fighting during Ireland's struggle for independence.

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1981
Politics

February 14, 1981

Republican Hunger Strike Plans

On February 14, 1981, Republican prisoners held in Long Kesh (Maze) Prison in Northern Ireland began making plans for a new hunger strike. These preparations were a precursor to the highly publicized 1981 Irish hunger strike, which sought to regain political prisoner status for paramilitary inmates. The decision to embark on this extreme form of protest had profound and lasting implications for the Republican movement, Northern Irish politics, and Anglo-Irish relations, drawing international attention to the conflict.

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