Irish-Americans, dates, facts, etc
Irish born Patrick Maguire was the first man of Christopher Columbus' crew to step on North American soil.
Perhaps the greatest stage actress of the 20th Century, Laurette Taylor first starred on Broadway in "Peg O' My Heart".
During the World War II Battle of the Solomon Islands the American ship Juneau sank with the five Sullivan brothers of Waterloo, Iowa aboard.
Charles Carroll of Maryland was the longest-lived and only Catholic signer of the Declaration of Independence.
Sharon Christa Corrigan McAuliffe, school teacher, was the first American civilian to give her life to the National space program.
Grand opera was introduced to this county by New York industrialist Dominic Lynch.
Audie Murphy, the most decorated soldier of World War II with 28 citations for bravery, including the Medal of Honor.
Margaret Hayes, heroine of the Battle of Monmouth in 1779, become known to history as "Molly Pitcher".
Comedic genius and creator of the Keystone Cops, Mack Sennett was the son of Irish immigrants born in Nova Scotia.
From housemaid to socialite to heroic survivor of the Titanic tragedy, Margaret Brown becomes immortalized as "The Unsinkable Molly Brown".
Hero in two World Wars, William "Wild Bill" Donovan became the first chief of American counter-intelligence
Recognized as one of baseball's greatest managers, John McGraw won ten pennants.
A pioneer of modern movements in American painting Georgia O'Keefe won fame for her starkness and simplicity in her work.
Irish born James Hoban, County Killkenny, was the Architect of the White House, rebuilt the White House after its burning in 1814 and later assisted in building the United States Capitol. James Hoban participated in the laying of the cornerstones both at the White House and Capitol.
Oliver Pollock, a wealthy merchant, advanced the United States $300,000 during the Revolutionary War which helped assure his close friend George Washington's victory.
Leaving school at a young age to become a cowboy, Will Rogers became one of America's greatest humorists.
John L. Sullivan, the world's first recognized Heavyweight Boxing Champion held the title for ten years.
Beginning as a scout for the U. S. Army and later a guide for Teddy Roosevelt, Tom Mix is one of America's greatest western film heros.
Once described as the fastest pitcher ever to play the game, Walter Johnson won 416 games and pitched 113 shutouts despite playing for a losing team throughout his career.
A schoolteacher, James Holland born in County Cork, moved to the United States and invented an "underwater cigar" which became the world's first submarine.
After opening her own bakery Margaret Haughery is credited with the notion of selling packaged crackers which enable her upon her death in 1882 to leave more than $1 million to charity.
Victor Herbert was the first American composer to write an original score for the movies and is often called "The Prince of Operetta".
John Gregg invented the Gregg system of shorthand, which later was adapted to 14 other languages.
Credited with many innovations in both newspapers and the printing industry, it was John Dunlap of Philadelphia who printed the Declaration of Independence.
One of America's greatest agricultural advances, the reaper, was invented by Cyrus McCormick.
Edgar Allen Poe, author of America's best known poem "The Raven" and the father of modern mystery and detective fiction.
John Barry won the first and last naval battles of the American Revolution, thus earning him the title of "Father of the American Navy".
A leading pioneer in the aviation industry and one of America's first women pilots and military instructors was Nancy Corrigan.
Mary Harris Jones, one of America's early labor champion, is known to many as "Mother Jones".
Bobby Jones who never took a golf lesson in his life is one of America's greatest golfers ever to step on the links.
After having her own sight restored Anne Sullivan Macy, educator and teacher of Helen Keller, broke down the walls of silence by communication through means of finger spelling.
Andrew McNally began as a journeyman printer and then teamed up in 1892 with William Rand to found the Rand-McNally empire.
Banished to Australia from England, Thomas Francis Meagher, a native of County Waterford, escaped to America and commanded the famed Irish Brigade and volunteers in the battles of Manassas, Antietam, Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville during the Civil War.
Twelve of the heros who defended and died at the Alamo were of Irish ancestry, among them Davey Crockett, Jim Bowie, and Bill Travis.
Second Lt. John J. McCinty, III, born in Boston, and a resident of South Carolina, recipient of the Medal of Honor in Vietnam.
Colin P. Kelly, Jr., a pilot shot down on December 10, 1941, was the first decorated hero after the December 7th attack on Pearl Harbor.
The Medal of Honor our highest decoration awarded to members of the Armed Forces, was instituted by President Abraham Lincoln. The Medal of Honor was first presented in 1861. The 202 Irish-born recipients constitute the largest group of immigrants to receive this award from President Lincoln.
Henry Ford (1863-1947) son of Irish immigrants, inventor of Model T and founder of automotive industry.
William Randolph Hearst (1863-1951) legendary editor and publisher.
Howard Hughes (1905-1976) U.S. aviator, pioneer and industrialist.
James Cagney (1904-1986) legendary American films "tough guy".
John Ford (1895-1973) famed director and winner of four Oscars including "Grapes of Wrath".
Jackie Gleason (1916-1987) creator of the "Honeymooners" and famed comic entertainer.
Grace Kelly (1929-1982) legendry film star and Princess of Monaco.
John McCormack (1884-1945) famed Irish tenor born in County Westmeath, became a U.S. citizen in 1917.
Spencer Tracy (1900-1967) 30 years a film actor, including "Boys Town" and "Captain Courageous".
Matthew Brady (1822-1896) photographer and historian documented the Civil War and America in the 1860's.
Margaret Mitchell (1900-1949) author received Pulitzer Prize for "Gone with the Wind" a novel about an Irish immigrant family living in the South during the Civil War.
Walt Disney (1901-1966) famed animator, studio owner and pioneer in the motion picture industry.
James Michael Curley, famed Mayor of Boston, and friend to working "charwomen".
Elizabeth Cady Stanton, feminist and social reformer.
John Edward O'Connor, born County Cork, agile acrobat feature of Ringling Barnum and Baily Circus and father of famed dancer Donald O'Connor.
Catherine McCarthy, known as the jolly Irishwoman of the Lower East Side and mother of notorious outlaw Billy the Kid.
Bat Masterson, famed gunfighter who returned to New York City after assisting Wyatt Earp, to pursue a career in journalism.
Annie Moore, at age fifteen first immigrant to enter Ellis Island in 1892, from County Cork.
Nellie Bly, New York journalist, who traveled around the world in 72 days, 6 hours and 11 minutes.
Kate Smith, a star for decades, famous for her 1938 singing of "God Bless America" and her unceasing patriotic devotion to bond fund rallies during World War II.
Johanna Butler, known as "Mother Butler" educator and religious superior, founder of Marymount in Tarrytown, New York and 14 other schools throughout the nation.
Eliza Marie Gillespie, educator, religious leader and civil war heroine, founded eight military hospitals during the Civil War, known as the "Angel of the Battlefield". Also, founded St. Mary's College across from Notre Dame University.
Sister Julie McGroarty, founder of Trinity College, Washington, D.C.
Mary Flannery O'Connor, novelist published under the pen name of Flannery O'Connor.
Mary O'Hara, novelist of the American West, most famous work "My Friend Flicka".
Nellie Taylor Ross, first woman governor in the Nation. Elected governor of Wyoming in 1924, later appointed to first woman Director of the U.S. Mint 1933 and was the first woman to have her likeness on a mint medal. Ms. Ross' name appears on the cornerstone of the U. S. Gold Depository at Fort Knox, Kentucky.
Maureen Connolly, nicknamed "Little Mo" 1951 Tennis Hall of Fame, won every tennis match she played, including three times U.S. Singles and three time Wimbledon championships.
1683 Reverend Francis Makemie, County Donegal, founds Presbyterian Church in U.S.
1740 Edward and William Patterson, County Tyrone, first manufacture of tin in America at New Britain, Connecticut.
1765 John Hannon, Irish immigrant, opened first chocolate shop in America, at Dorchester, Massachusetts.
1775 Daniel Boone, accompanied by other Irish origin pioneers McGrady and McBride commence settlement of Kentucky.
3-17-1776 Password of George Washington's troops at Boston this day is "St. Patrick".
1776 Declaration of Independence eight original signers were of Irish decent.
1784 Daniel McCormack elected first president of newly formed Friendly Sons of St. Patrick.
1810 Thomas O'Connor publishes first Irish-American newspaper "Shamrock". He was also a leader of Tammy Hall.
1813 Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry, Victor at the Battle of Lake Erie, opens door to Japan. His mother was born in County Down.
3-17-1820 First celebration of St. Patrick's Day in St. Louis, Missouri.
1824 Andrew Jackson born, President and Victor of the Battle of New Orleans, his parents were from County Antrim.
1847 American ship Jamestown arrives in Cork, Ireland, with food to aid famine.
1861 Archibal Mellon, from County Tyrone, settles in Pennsylvania, his grandson Andrew is appointed Secretary of the Treasury and his family remain prominent in industry, banking and art patrons.
1862 Confederate General Patrick Cleburn, born County Cork, cited for valor at the Battle of Shiloh.
1873 The "Big Bonanza" of the Comstock Lode made by Irish-Americans John Mackay, James Fair, James Flood and William O'Brien.
1888 Irish-American playwright Eugene O'Neill born.
1952 Pvt. First Class Alford McLaughlin, a native of Alabama, received the Medal of Honor in Korea.
1987 Patrolman Thomas Delahanty, received the Distinguished Service Award for his valor in the assassination attempt on President Reagan, Washington, D.C.
9-11-01 So many made the ultimate sacrifice for our Nation, among them were citizens, policemen, firemen and rescue workers both Irish born and Irish-Americans. God bless them, we shall never forget.
For additional information you may refer to the following or numerous other sources:
1001 Things everyone should know about Irish American History by Edward T. O'Donnell
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