Historical Context
The 1916 Easter Proclamation of an Irish Republic was read out on 24th April by Patrick Pearce on the steps of the General Post office in Dublin. It was the beginning of a week-long attempt by Irish rebels to end British control in Ireland.
Printed just the day before, the document proclaims openly the rebellion's objectives, their belief in their right to sovereignty, through arms if necessary, and the names of those leading it.
After British troops regained control, 15 leaders of the rebellion including signatories of the Proclamation were executed by British firing squads. However the Proclamation and the events that surrounded it turned public opinion and lead directly to the establishment of political party Sinn Féin and the 1919 Declaration of Irish Independence.
Document Info
Location signed: Dublin, Ireland
Related Events
- 1916-04-24 Easter Rising of Irish republicans against British occupation begins in Dublin
- 1916-04-29 Irish republicans abandon the post office in Dublin and surrender unconditionally, marking the end of the Easter Rising
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