July 23rd: Today in 1803 Robert Emmet led an uprising against the British rule of England. The attempt was a disastrous failure and led to his execution several months later, but it was another step towards eventual Irish independence. In order to secure a conviction against Emmet his defense attorney was paid off with cash and a pension, but Emmet’s speech from the sentencing was long remembered:

Let no man write my epitaph… When my country takes her place among the nations of the earth, then shall my character be vindicated, then may my epitaph be written.

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