In January 1969 a local activist , long believed to be John " Caker " Casey , but who might have been Liam Hillen , painted graffiti on a gable wall at the end of a housing terrace stating " You are now entering Free Derry " . When the British Home Secretary , Jim Callaghan , visited Derry in August 1969 , the " Free Derry " wall was painted white and the " You are now entering Free Derry " sign was professionally re-painted in black lettering by John " Caker " Casey . The area in front of the wall became known as Free Derry Corner by the inhabitants . It and the surrounding streets were the scene of the Battle of the Bogside in 1969 and Bloody Sunday in 1972 . The houses on Lecky Road and Fahan Street were subsequently demolished , but the wall was retained . It has been repainted at frequent intervals . As currently situated , it now lies in the central reservation of Lecky Road , which was upgraded to a dual carriageway sometime following the demolition of the original terraced houses
Bloody Sunday
Bloody Sunday (1972)
Free Derry Corner