February 24: TODAY in Irish History:
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Submarine Inventor John Paul Holland
Snippets of Irish History by Conor Cunneen IrishmanSpeaks 
Conor is a Chicago based Motivational Humorous Business Speaker, Author and History buff.
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1815: Robert Fulton – Steamboat Pioneer
Robert Fulton, the man credited with developing the first commercially successful steamboat dies in New York age 49. Fulton’s father emigrated from Ireland to Philadelphia.
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1841: Submarine Inventor John Paul Holland
John Paul Holland, the inventor of the first practical submarine is born in Liscannor, Co. Clare. He emigrated to the US in 1873. Holland’s first submarine submission was rejected by the Navy Secretary as “a fantastic scheme of a civilian landsman.” The navy eventually relented and purchased it’s first submarine from Holland’s company in 1900 for $150,000. Holland also had a strong interest in aviation writing a paper in 1891 titled The Practicality of Manned Flight. He is buried in Totowa, New Jersey.
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READ: The Man Who Invented the Submarine
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1865: Brigadier Thomas Francis Meagher is relieved of his command
Thomas Francis Meagher 1823-1867
Brigadier Thomas Francis Meagher is relieved of his command of the Irish Brigade under the instructions of Ulysses S. Grant. Meagher’s drinking had become a major impediment to his ability to lead his command.
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FOR MORE ON THOMAS FRANCIS MEAGHER
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1896: Medal of Honor Recipient Patrick Henry Grace
Death of Irish born Medal of Honor Recipient Patrick Henry Grace. Grace won his medal for bravery during the Korean Expedition of 1871. His citation reads:
“The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Chief Quartermaster Patrick Henry Grace, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in action on board the U.S.S. Benicia during the attack on the Korean forts, 10 and 11 June 1871. Carrying out his duties with coolness, Chief Quartermaster Grace set forth gallant and meritorious conduct throughout this action.”
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During this Korean Expedition FOUR Irishmen were awarded the Medal of Honor. Others to receive the award were James Dougherty, Cork bornJohn Coleman and Michael McNamara from County Clare.
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Want to learn more about Ireland? See these images and more in the acclaimed For the Love of Being Irish
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This history is written by Irish author, business keynote speaker and award winning humorist IrishmanSpeaks – Conor Cunneen. If you spot any inaccuracies or wish to make a comment, please don’t hesitate to contact us via the comment button.
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