The True Story Behind A U2 Classic

This U2 classic was inspired by actual events. Learn the story of the song “Sunday Bloody Sunday” here.
DERRY, NORTHERN IRELAND - MARCH 15:  Two residents walk past Free Derry Corner in the Catholic Bogside area of Derry on March 15, 2010 in Northern Ireland. The Bloody Sunday Inquiry chaired by Lord Saville was established in 1998 to look at the shooting dead of 14 civil rights marchers by the British Army in Derry, Northern Ireland on January 30, 1972. Lord Saville and his fellow judges have spoken to 921 witnesses during the longest legal proceedings in British and Irish history. The report is due to be sent to the Government by the end of March 2010.  (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images)

Credit: Peter Macdiarmid

Credit: Peter Macdiarmid

DERRY, NORTHERN IRELAND - MARCH 15: Two residents walk past Free Derry Corner in the Catholic Bogside area of Derry on March 15, 2010 in Northern Ireland. The Bloody Sunday Inquiry chaired by Lord Saville was established in 1998 to look at the shooting dead of 14 civil rights marchers by the British Army in Derry, Northern Ireland on January 30, 1972. Lord Saville and his fellow judges have spoken to 921 witnesses during the longest legal proceedings in British and Irish history. The report is due to be sent to the Government by the end of March 2010. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images)

On January 30th 1972 a protest march was held in the city of Derry in Northern Ireland.

In some places you will see the city listed as “Londonderry”.

That is a result of the disagreements that have plagued the area for centuries.

But on Sunday January 30th 1972 thirteen unarmed protesters were shot and killed by British soldiers.

A fourteenth person injured that day died at a later date from the injuries sustained that day.

The day would come to be known as “Bloody Sunday”.

The events of that day inspired the U2 song “Sunday Bloody Sunday”.

In 2010 the British government after many proceedings determined the soldiers were in the wrong and they even apologized.

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