Clare Election of July 5th 1828

July 5th is a momentous date in the history of democracy in Ireland due to the by-election which occured in County Clare in 1828 on that date. Although disqualified from sitting in the House of Commons because he was a Catholic, Daniel O'Connell contested the election and won. This victory led to the granting of Catholic Emancipation the following year which removed many of the restrictions on Catholics. Read more here...