December 20

1799

Nicholas Callan, priest, physicist, writer, and inventor of the induction coil, is born in Dromiskin, Co. Louth

Ireland

Nicholas Joseph Callan (22 December 1799 – 10 January 1864) was an Irish Catholic priest, writer, and physicist. He was professor of natural philosophy at Maynooth College in …

1935

Robert Knox, Scottish surgeon and zoologist, died

Ireland

Robert Knox, FRSE FRCSE, born on September 4, 1791, and passing away on December 20, 1862, was a Scottish anatomist and ethnologist, whose career and reputation were significantly …

1935

Martin O'Meara, VC, was an Irish-born Australian recipient of the Victoria Crossy, died

Ireland

Martin O’Meara, VC (6 November 1885 – 20 December 1935) was an Irish-born Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy …

2004

A gang of thieves steal £26.5 million worth of currency from the Northern Bank in Belfast, one of the largest bank robberies in British history

Ireland

On 20 December 2004, a total of £26.5 million in cash was stolen from the headquarters of Northern Bank on Donegall Square West in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Having taken family …