On 16 October, 1890, in a small farm off the windswept southern coast of Clonakilty, County Cork, Ireland, the leader of the Irish Revolution was born: Michael Collins.
Of course, no one could predict this at the time, but like all history, it now seems inexorable.
The youngest of 8 kids, Collins didn’t grow up with a lot of money, but what his family lacked financially his parents made up for with an intense focus on education (it would come to serve him well in the future).
At the turn of the 20th century, when Collins was in his teens studying hard and working a full-time job, hoping for a better life, Irish-British relations were hitting a tipping point.
For hundreds of years prior, the Irish faced subjugation and enslavement at the hands of the British (in fact, the first slaves sent to America were Irish).
At the same time, Irish nationalism was on the rise with underground national pride movements happening around the country.
Collins found himself swept up in the movement at a very young age.
Eventually, he became its leader.
From 1917 to 1921, Collins organized, managed, and led an outnumbered, out-financed, and outgunned revolutionary force against the strongest empire in the world.
And, against all odds...
He won.