Brighton hotel bombing facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Brighton hotel bombing |
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 The Grand Hotel on the morning after the bombing |
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| Location | Brighton, England, United Kingdom |
| Coordinates | 50°49′17″N 0°08′50″W / 50.82139°N 0.14722°W |
| Date | 12 October 1984 02:54 (GMT) |
| Attack type | Bombing, assassination attempt |
| Weapon(s) | Time bomb |
| Deaths | 5 |
| Injured | 31 |
| Perpetrator | Provisional IRA |
The Brighton hotel bombing was a serious attack that happened at the Grand Hotel in Brighton, England. It took place on October 12, 1984. A member of the Provisional Irish Republican Army (PIRA), Patrick Magee, planted a time bomb in the hotel.
The main goal of the attack was to kill the Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher, and her government ministers. They were staying at the hotel for a meeting of the Conservative Party. Prime Minister Thatcher was not hurt, but five people died and 31 were injured.
Contents
What Happened at the Grand Hotel?
The Grand Hotel in Brighton was a busy place. It was chosen because many important people were staying there. These included the Prime Minister and her team. They were in Brighton for their party's yearly meeting.
The bomb was set to go off very early in the morning. This was meant to cause maximum damage and harm. The explosion caused a lot of destruction to the hotel building.
Who Was the Provisional IRA?
The Provisional Irish Republican Army (PIRA) was a group that wanted Northern Ireland to be separate from the United Kingdom. They used violence to try and achieve their goals. The Brighton bombing was one of their most well-known attacks in England.
Why Target the Prime Minister?
The PIRA saw the British government as their enemy. They believed that by attacking leaders like Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, they could force political changes. This bombing was an attempt to strike at the heart of the British government.
The Aftermath of the Bombing
The bombing caused widespread shock and sadness. Rescue workers quickly arrived to help those who were trapped or hurt. The hotel was badly damaged, and it took a long time to repair.
Impact on People
Five people were killed in the attack. These included two important members of the Conservative Party. Many others suffered serious injuries. The event left a lasting impact on the survivors and their families.
Prime Minister Thatcher's Response
Despite the attack, Prime Minister Thatcher showed great strength. She insisted that the Conservative Party conference would continue. She gave a famous speech the next day, saying that the attack would not stop democracy.
Images for kids
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The Grand Hotel, Brighton, 1986 (restoration almost completed after bomb damage)
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The Grand Hotel at night, 2006
See also
In Spanish: Atentado del Grand Hotel de Brighton de 1984 para niños
