Something not many people know: for two days in 1922, all of #Ireland was not part of the #UK. At least in theory.

The Irish Free State Constitution Act 1922 was passed at Westminster on 5 December 1922, and entered into force on the 6th. It provided that #NorthernIreland would continue to exist, but that the reserved powers would be exercised by Dublin rather than London.

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Effectively, Northern Ireland became a devolved govt of an independent Ireland. (OK, the so-called "#IrishFreeState" was technically a "dominion" of the British Crown like Canada and Australia, rather than an independent state, but it was not part of the UK).

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However, Article 12 of the Act provided that Northern Ireland could opt out of the #IrishFreeState provided that it chose to do so within a month.

Predictably, it did so ASAP. On 7 December the Parliament of Northern Ireland unanimously passed a motion a motion to ask the King of the UK "pray your Majesty that the powers of the Parliament and Government of the Irish Free State shall no longer extend to Northern Ireland"

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The Northern Ireland Prime Minister #JamesCraig then ran off on the boat and train to London, and on 8 December 1922 presented the 'humble address' to King #GeorgeV.

The deal was ratified the same day, and #Northern Ireland rejoined the #UK after two days absence.

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