On this day in ...... 1948 (60 years ago today), the Dail passed legislation by which what once had been known as the Irish Free State left the British Commonwealth and became the Republic of Ireland. In May 1949 the British House of Commons would acknowledge the independence of the Republic in the south, yet retain claim 
on Northern Ireland.
on Northern Ireland.... 1913 (95 years ago today), the 1st published crossworld puzzle, depicted at left, appeared in the Sunday edition of the New York World. Clues and solution to the puzzle are here.
