When did Ireland get independence?
458389
The Anglo-Irish Treaty was narrowly ratified by the Dáil in December 1921 but was rejected by a large minority, resulting in the Irish Civil War which lasted until 1923. In 1922, in the middle of this civil war, the Irish Free State came into being. For its first years the new state was governed by the victors of the Civil War. However in the 1930s Fianna Fáil, the party of the opponents of the treaty, were elected into government. The party introduced a new constitution in 1937 which renamed the state to simply "Éire or in the English language, Ireland" (preface to the Constitution).\n\nThe state was neutral during World War II but offered some assistance to the Allies, especially in Northern Ireland. In 1949 the state declared itself to be a republic and that henceforth it should be described as the Republic of Ireland. The state was plagued by poverty and emigration until the mid-1970's. The 1990's saw the beginning of unprecedented economic success, in a phenomenon known as the "Celtic Tiger". By the early 2000's, it had become one of the richest countries (in terms of GDP per capita) in the European Union, moving from being a net recipient to a net contributor and from a population with net emigration to one with net immigration.
982886
Ireland cos they are not part of the UK
361415
British involvement in Ireland goes back at least 800 years -  back to 1169 to be precise. \n\nParts of Ireland have been English speaking almost since that time. Dublin for instance was completely English speaking in the 13th century. \n\nNevertheless, Irish was still widely spoken in many areas even up to the 1700's. Ireland joined the United Kingdom in 1801 however, so all public affairs were then carried out solely in the English language. To improve your lot in life you would have had no choice but to speak English. By the mid 1800's, the language was in rapid decline. \n\nThere have been huge efforts to revive the Irish language since Ireland became an gained independence from Britain in 1921. There are Irish language newspapers, radio stations, television stations, road signs, compulsory Irish in schools and a requirement to speak Irish to get into the Civil Service. However all these efforts have had little success. In the end, people see the English language as much more useful in everyday life, purely because you can communicate with almost anybody in the world.
87755
The U.S.A. has  been a country for 229 years. Declared independence in 1776
951263
The United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland are on excellent terms and have been for decades.  \n\nAs for peace in Northern Ireland, it is in the process of happening.  We have had both the Good Friday "Belfast" agreement and there is another round of talks going on right now.  Peace in Northern Ireland is occuring due to diplomacy of all the parties involved.  The Provisional IRA has disbanded and the main aggitators are Loyalist Paramilitaries and dissended republicans.\n\nIrish re-entry into the UK is and never will be considered nor will a commonwealth.  I found that deeply offensive as would many Irish people. Irish people are happy and love their independence from the crown and we have one of the most stable democracies on the planet.  \n\nIrish re-unification is honestly not on the cards for a very long time if ever.  Many Irish people do not what Northern Ireland and the Republic to unify as it would harm us in both economic terms, and many Irish dont want the trouble of the northern irish parties.\n\nBack to the issue of a commonwealth.  The UK and Republic of Ireland are in something similar, its called the EU.
291714
Scotland is, 400 years after "unification" still solidly independent.  Federalizing the British state strengthens it by making it a voluntary union, rather than a remnant of empire (my ancestors were organizers of the '45 rebellion.  *I* haven't forgotten how the UK was formed, which means that others haven't also).
576660
You need to draw a distinction when giving opinions on the situation in Ireland, as there are two very different situations in place. The Republic of Ireland is a democratic independent country for nearly 80 years, while Northern Ireland is still part of the UK. The history of both states has been very different since the 1920's, when the partition of the country was introduced.\n\nIn the Republic of Ireland, things were very tough, right up to the 1990's, with widespread emigration, high unemployment and very low income per capita. It was a poor country, often referred to as the "sick man of Europe". It was primarily an agricultural country, and the Catholic Church had huge prominence in the country, because the government did not have the resources to invest in schools and hospitals. The only thing it did have going for it was a good education system. But since the 1990's things have improved significantly. EU membership and massive inward investment, particularly from US IT companies and healthcare companies, propelled Ireland from the bottom of the league right to the top. It is now one of the richest countries in Europe, and huge amounts of money are being spent on bringing the infrastructure up to date. The Catholic church's influence has declined greatly and the country is at full employment. Most people in Ireland look at the country primarily from an economic perspective. Politically it is very stable and democratic, with no major conflicts and issues internally or with other countries. Most issues these days tend to be economic and how to cope with the demands of an increasing economy. \n\nNorthern Ireland was set up as a kind of British enclave, on the lines of a Protestant state for a Protestant people, notwithstanding the fact that it had a sizable Catholic population in its midst. Demands for greater Catholic civil rights in  the 1960's lead to riots and eventually the onset of the Troubles where the IRA decided to fight Britain using guerrilla warfare tactics. 3500 dead people later, the IRA decided to call it quits, and now things have begun to normalise in Northern Ireland. It's a much more peaceful place with an economy that is beginning to find its own feet. However huge scars still exist - Catholics and Protestants are still very divided, and it will probably take generations for these old divisions to be properly sorted out. The real issue for Northern Ireland nowadays is how the two communities can reach an accomodation with each other, and how the political leaders in the region can take full ownership over their own local problems. Re-integration with the rest of Ireland is a long way down the road. Nobody, except the most hardline, want to go back to the bad old days of the Troubles.
95308
On July 4, 1776 the Declaration of Independence was signed. It is known as the day that America was officially an independent nation. Before this date America was under the rule of Britain.
747433
I think that Scotland and Wales both have their own identity and language and there are probably separatist movements.  Northern Ireland should be returned to Ireland IMHO.
459717
Independence of China: 221 BC (unification under the Qin or Ch'in Dynasty); 1 January 1912 (Manchu Dynasty replaced by a Republic); 1 October 1949 (People's Republic established)\n\nMore on this link: http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/fields/2088.html\n\nScroll down to China and click the link.  It will direct you to more info.
616496
The Netherlands declared itself independent from Spain on\nJuly 26, 1581. Spain didn't grant them independence until January 30, 1648.
219819
Presidents\n1938 - 1945   Douglas Hyde\n1945 - 1959   Sean Thomas O'Kelly \n1959 - 1973   Eámon de Valera \n1973 - 1974   Erskin Childers \n1974 - 1976   Cearbhall O'Dalaigh \n1976 - 1990   Patrick Hillery \n1990 - 1997   Mary Robinson \n1997 - today   Mary McAleese
578533
1776 the year that the declararion of independence was signed.
415224
This summer, the Irish Republican Army promised to stop having violent confrontations with the United Kingdom.\n\nThis past spring, terrorists bombed some subways and a bus.
1047608
The USA gained independence on July 4th 1776, so that would make it 230 this year.  I always remember it because it's kind of like Canada's which is 1867  --  '67 / '76 - I don't know, it seems to help me.
272285
Dr. Midnight - IRELAND IS NOT PART OF THE UK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We gained our independence over 90 years ago. There is 6 counties still under British rule, known as Northern Ireland.\n\nOk rant over, with regards to your question, I know that Ireland has been the beneficary of almost $50 billion worth of EU agricultural and other subsidies since 1973. But as to where you'll find out what we have given the EU, I haven't got a clue. You could try www.oasis.gov.ie, see if there is anything on it that could help you.
370363
25th August 1825\nThe independence was from both the "United Provinces of the South" (that was becoming the republic of Argentina) and the Empire of Brazil (occupying the territory).\n\nThis was because both big nations wanted this stripe of land in their territories because of its strategic value.\n\nEngland cut into the discussion and between local authorities (segregationists), Buenos Aires, Brazil and England created a new country which was "independent" since 25th August 1825 (not so much because for 10 years both argentina and brazil could mess with internal affairs, England had de rights of navigation of all fluvial waters with no exception).\n\nRegarding leadership, the "freedom crusade" (cruzada libertadora) was a movement lead by a group called the 33 orientals (oriental is the name of the people of uruguay, because its east of the river uruguay), the 33 orientals were not only 33, but were freemasons, thats why the symbolic number. The leader of the group was Juan Antonio Lavalleja.\n\nIn the 18th of July of 1830 the first constitution of the country was sworn. The two traditional political parties of te country were already established, today they are still working, making the colorado and national party the eldest political parties in the world.