20 May The Siege Of Derry (1690)
During the Williamite War, on April 18, 1690, Derry (Londonderry) locked out James 2 with cries of ” No surrender!” thus beginning the siege. Major Baker (replaced after his death by John Mitchelbourne) and Reverend Walker took over the command of the thirty thousand civilians, mostly refugees, and seven thousand troops in the city. The Jacobites lacked cannons, equipment, and troops for an attack but blockaded the city. On July 28, two ships broke through the blockade in Lough Foyle, ending the siege. In commemoration of the siege, the Apprentice Boys of Derry parade annually in August. T.C.