Orangemen’s Day is the commemoration of the Battle of the Boyne from 1690 that takes place every year mainly in Northern Ireland on July 12. Also called the Glorious Twelfth, the date is actually a result of the switch from Julian to Gregorian calendar in Europe, which postponed all dates by eleven days; after all, the Battle of the Boyne had occurred on July 1 according to the Julian calendar.

The Twelfth is sometimes also associated with the Battle of Aughrim, which used to occur on July 12, but was moved forward when the calendar was replaced. The festivities during the holiday involve the parading and marching Lodges of the Orange Order, wearing black suits and carrying various flags in their hands: the Union Jack, Orange Order, Scottish, or Ulster. Since the conflict on the river Boyne polarized two fractions inside one and the same country, the celebrations nowadays are controversial and some groups find them offensive.

The Battle of the Boyne was a confrontation between the deposed James II who supported Catholicism, and William III of Orange, recently inaugurated as king of England, Scotland and Ireland. Although it was supposedly a fight between the two religious factions, William was actually backed by Pope Alexander VIII. Moreover, historical sources claim that the armies on both sides were mixed, not purely Protestant or Catholic. Nevertheless, William’s victory, the Glorious Revolution, was the cause for Protestant ascendancy in Ireland and endurance of the Ulster colonies called Plantation. Today, it is disputed whether the Battle of the Boyne has been commemorated since 1690, or whether the change into Gregorian calendar in 1752 made it so. Either way, the Orange Order was established in 1795, and by the end of the century, Orangemen’s Day came to public existence.

The Orange Order marches provoke mixed reception from the national public; not only are the parades Protestant-oriented, but the organization itself politically declares to be unionist. These traits do not resonate well with the Irish nationalists, hence the marches often end in violence in Ulster. Notwithstanding, most events are peaceful and do not generate public outrage. The marchers wear dark suits with collarettes that form a “V” shape on their chests; in addition, if it is not too hot, bowler hats and white gloves complement their costumes. Among the many major flags, there are also displays of lodge emblems on the banners.

The controversial character of the holiday does not show in every place in North Ireland, because some festivities are very large and successful. The Twelfth is a bank holiday there, which gives most workers a day off. Majority of schools and businesses close, so even the most outraged spectators have a paid holiday in July.