BBC News
By Chris Andrews
image copyrightMirrorpix/Getty Images
image captionCrowds gathered outside Belfast City Hall in June 1921 for the opening of NI s first parliament
The front pages on Christmas Eve 1920 lacked the usual festive cheer, instead focused on a political story which would shape a century of Irish politics.
The previous day, parliament was told that the Government of Ireland Act had received royal assent, legislating for the partition of the island.
By design, Northern Ireland and Southern Ireland (later to become known as the Irish Free State) would have their own parliaments, with London maintaining control over issues such as foreign policy and the military.
Partition 100 Years On: The Government of Ireland Act 1920, a ghastly Christmas gift
On this day a century ago the Government of Ireland Act 1920 became law, allowing for the formal division of Ireland. In the latest in his series of articles on Partition, historian Cormac Moore examines the genesis and legacy of this defining piece of legislation Ian MacPherson, Chief Secretary of Ireland, introducing the Bill to the House of Commons in February 1920 in a sketch published in The Illustrated London News under the headline: Designed To Settle Once And For All This Age-Long Difference 23 December, 2020 01:00
King George V gave royal assent to the Government of Ireland Act 1920 100 years ago today