BBC News
By Mark Simpson
image copyrightBritish Pathé
image captionThousands of people lining the streets to see King George V open the Northern Ireland Parliament at Belfast City Hall in June 1921
A panel of historians set up to advise the government on Northern Ireland s centenary has settled on 3 May 1921 as the birthdate of the state.
The exact age of Northern Ireland has divided opinion.
Consideration has been given to at least seven other dates, including the day of the first election and the first meeting of the new Belfast parliament.
But 3 May 1921 was the day the legislation which devised the new political structures came into force.
NI 100: Historians declare 3 May as Northern Ireland birthdate
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Historians call for opening of secret Northern Ireland files to mark centenary
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BBC News
By Mark Simpson
image copyrightMirrorpix/Getty Images
image captionKing George V and Queen Mary arrive for the opening of the parliament of Northern Ireland in June 1921
Historians advising the government on how to mark the centenary of Northern Ireland have requested access to secret official files from the early 1920s.
The request includes documents relating to the so-called B Specials, an auxiliary police force known officially as the Ulster Special Constabulary.
Northern Ireland was created in 1921 after Ireland was partitioned.
An eight-strong panel of academics was set up last year to advise the government on centenary matters.
The Centenary Historical Advisory Panel is chaired by Queen s University historian Professor Paul Bew and includes academics from Cambridge University, Sheffield University and Ulster University.
Historians call for opening of secret Northern Ireland files to mark centenary
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