Today In Irish History

October 4: TODAY in Irish History:

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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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1917: Victoria Cross for Royal Dublin Fusilier

James Ockendon of the Royal Dublin Fusiliers is involved in an action that wins him the Victoria Cross for his bravery at the Battle of Langemark. On 4 October 1917 east of Langemark, Belgium, Sergeant Ockendon was acting as company sergeant-major, and seeing the platoon on the right held up by an enemy machine-gun, he immediately rushed the gun, regardless of his own safety and captured it, killing the crew. He then led a section to the attack on a farm, where under very heavy fire he rushed forward and called on the garrison to surrender. As the enemy continued to fire on him he opened fire, killing four, whereupon the remaining 16 surrendered.

In total, seven Fusiliers won the Victoria Cross.

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SEE: Website dedicated to Royal Dublin Fusiliers

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1939: German U-Boat Lands Survivors at Dingle, Co. Kerry

In one of the more intriguing episodes of World War II, German U-Boat 35 under the command of Kapitan Werner Lott disembarked 28 men at Dingle, Co Kerry from the Greek cargo ship Diamantis. About 15.40 hours on 3 Oct, 1939, the Diamantis was torpedoed by U-35 and sank 40 miles west of the Scilly Islands. Because the lifeboats were not suited for use in the bad weather, Lott decided to take all crew members aboard and landed them the next day in Dingle Bay, Ireland. Lott survived the war.

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1944: Death of Al Smith

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In 1928, Alfred Emanuel “Al” Smith was the first Catholic to represent any of the major political parties in a presidential election. Smith’s grandmother hailed from County Westmeath. Smith grew up on the Lower East Side of Manhattan in a melting pot that included Irish, Germans, French, Polish, Italian emigrants. Smith was known as a “man of the people” and is memorialized as such by The Alfred E Smith Foundation, founded by Francis Cardinal Spellman. Today it is a significant fund raiser for charity. Each election year, presidential candidates are expected to attend, make witty remarks and profound commentary about Smith. In 2008, then candidate Obama spoke eloquently of a man who  a man who fought for many years to give Americans nothing more than fair shake and a chance to succeed. He touched the lives of millions as a result.”
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1960: JFK on the Campaign Trail 1960

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John Fitzgerald Kennedy on the campaign trail in Indiana showed his wit (or maybe that of speechwriter Ted Sorensen)

” Mr. Nixon in Boston the other day said I was another Truman, and I returned the compliment and said he was another Dewey. And he has not said I was another Truman since, but I wish he would. I regard it as a compliment.”

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2010: Irish Help Europe to Ryder Cup Victory

Graeme McDowell, Rory McIlroy and Padraig Harrington all play on the European team which beats USA in the Ryder Cup held at The Celtic Manor Resort, Wales. In additon, two of the team vice-captains were Paul McGinley and Darren Clarke. Europe won 141/2 to 13/12

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WATCH: A Short History of Ireland

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.

Visit Conor’s YouTube channel IrishmanSpeaks to Laugh and Learn.

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