1690 - Battle of the Boyne Concludes with Jacobite Retreat

The aftermath of the Battle of the Boyne saw James II's Jacobite forces retreat from the battlefield, marking a decisive victory for William of Orange. The defeated Jacobites withdrew to Dublin before continuing south to Duncannon and eventually sailing to France. This retreat effectively ended James II's hopes of regaining his throne through Ireland and solidified Protestant ascendancy in Ireland for generations to come.

1921 - Truce Begins in Irish War of Independence

A formal truce between British forces and the IRA came into effect, bringing a halt to two and a half years of warfare. The ceasefire was negotiated between Éamon de Valera and David Lloyd George's government, paving the way for the Anglo-Irish Treaty talks. The streets of Dublin erupted in celebration as news of the truce spread, with people flooding the streets singing rebel songs and waving flags.

1969 - First Ulster Defence Regiment Established

The British government announced the formation of the Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR) as a locally recruited infantry regiment of the British Army. The UDR was created to replace the disbanded B-Specials and would become the largest infantry regiment in the British Army. Its establishment marked a significant change in security arrangements in Northern Ireland during the early years of the Troubles.

1996 - Drumcree Conflict Intensifies

The ongoing Drumcree conflict reached a critical point as widespread protests and violence erupted across Northern Ireland. The dispute centered around an Orange Order parade route through the nationalist Garvaghy Road area of Portadown. The standoff between protesters and security forces led to significant civil unrest and highlighted the deep divisions that still existed in Northern Irish society.