November 20th in Irish History

1832 - Tithe War

A major confrontation over tithes occurred in County Kilkenny, with local farmers resisting collection attempts. The incident marked growing organized opposition to the tithe system. Several casualties resulted from clashes between protesters and police, intensifying resistance to tithes.

1917 - Sinn Féin Growth

Sinn Féin secured another by-election victory, demonstrating its growing political strength. The win in Kilkenny reflected the party's increasing dominance of nationalist politics. These electoral successes marked the decline of the Irish Parliamentary Party.

1920 - Bloody Sunday

Violence erupted in Dublin as the IRA carried out a coordinated operation against British intelligence agents. Later that day, British forces opened fire at a football match in Croke Park, killing fourteen civilians. These events marked one of the most significant days of the War of Independence.

1974 - Birmingham Response

The British government rushed through the Prevention of Terrorism Act following the Birmingham pub bombings. The legislation granted police extensive powers of arrest and detention. These measures marked a significant expansion of security powers during the Troubles.

1998 - Decommissioning

The Independent International Commission on Decommissioning reported progress in talks with paramilitary groups. The discussions focused on methods for arms disposal as part of the peace process. These developments marked important steps in implementing the Good Friday Agreement.