Today on Celtic History on

August 20th

Total Events: 11

Sat 20 Aug 1927

The Currency Act establishes a separate currency for the Irish Free State

Wed 20 Aug 1919

The Irish Republican Army is established by the Dail Eireann

Fri 20 Aug 1897

Ronald Ross, the first Scot to win a Nobel prize (in, 1902) dissected a mosquito and established the link with malaria.

Fri 20 Aug 1880

Death of Ellen Kean, one of the greatest actresses of her time

Sun 20 Aug 1876

The Irish Republican Brotherhood Supreme Council withdraws its support from the Home Rule movement

Tue 20 Aug 1872

Sectarian rioting in Belfast which began on August 15 continues through this date

Mon 20 Aug 1860

An expedition led by Robert OHara Burke, an Irish policeman, leaves Melbourne with the intention of making the first European crossing of Australia. They will make the crossing, but Burke and fellow-explorer, William Wills, will die on the return journey

Thu 20 Aug 1818

Birth in Dublin of scientist and Alpine traveller, John Ball

Mon 20 Aug 1798

Richard R. Madden - writer, historian, traveller and abolitionist - is born in Dublin

Thu 20 Aug 1778

Birth of Bernardo OHiggins, of Co. Meath origins, first Chilean head of state

Mon 20 Aug 1488

Treaty of Sable, Charles VIII of France makes peace with Fransez II of Brittany.