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Orange Order

The Orange Order is a Protestant fraternal organization founded in 1795 in Ireland. It commemorates the victory of Protestant King William of Orange over Catholic King James II at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. The Order promotes Protestant values and identity and has a significant presence in Northern Ireland, where it is often associated with unionist politics. Members participate in parades and gatherings, especially on July 12, known as the "Twelfth." The Orange Order has a history intertwined with sectarianism and communal tensions, particularly between Protestant and Catholic communities in Ireland and beyond.