War Cabinet
The British Government sets up a War Cabinet to provide day-to-day political oversight of the campaign
Role range: 1982-1982 – 1979-1990
Historical biography archive · Updated 2026-11-03
Margaret Hilda Thatcher Biography and Timeline — Page 5
Follow Margaret Hilda Thatcher through 580 dated historical records for Great Britain.
Margaret Hilda Thatcher, historical timeline
A chronological timeline drawn from matching World History Database records.
580Distinct records
5 of 15Page
1982–1982Years on this page
1982
War Cabinet
Creates a small War Cabinet for daily campaign control.
Role range: 1982-1982 – 1979-1990
Argentine Invasion of Falklands
A task force is sent by Britain to recapture the Falkland Islands from Argentina
Role range: 1982-1982 – 1979-1990
Declaration of Exclusion Zone
The maritime exclusion zone comes into operation
Role range: 1982-1982 – 1979-1990
Exclusion Zone
200 mile maritime exclusion zone around the Islands declared by Britain to prevent Argentine reinforcements and supplies reaching the Islands from the mainland
Role range: 1982-1982 – 1979-1990
Diplomatic Plan at London
Argentina rejects Haig's 5 point peace plan and London is informed
Role range: 1982-1982 – 1979-1990
Argentine Invasion of Falklands
Reagan terminates Haig's peace mission, declares US support for Britain, imposes economic sanctions on Argentina, and offers Britain materiel and other aid. British destroyer group takes up holding position in mid-Atlantic
Role range: 1982-1982 – 1979-1990
United Nations
Defines rules of engagement as self-defense under United Nations Charter Article 41
Role range: 1979-1990
Argentine Invasion of Falklands
Admiral Sir John Fieldhouse chairs conference at Ascension Island with Admiral Sandy Woodward and 3 Commando Brigade which sets out detailed plans for the retaking of the Islands by force
Role range: 1982-1982 – 1979-1990
Declaration of Exclusion Zone
The exclusion zone comes into force
Role range: 1982-1982 – 1979-1990
Sovereignty Diplomacy
Argentina rejects Haig's plan unless Britain agrees to transfer sovereignty by 31 December 1982 and allow Argentine nationals to settle in the Islands
Role range: 1982-1982 – 1979-1990
Argentine Invasion of Falklands
British War Cabinet orders repossession of Islands
Role range: 1982-1982 – 1979-1990
War Cabinet Order
Orders the repossession of the Falkland Islands.
Role range: 1982-1982 – 1979-1990
Invasion of South Georgia
The South Georgia operation begins
Role range: 1982-1982 – 1979-1990
Argentine Invasion of Falklands
British task force arrives in Falklands waters
Role range: 1982-1982 – 1979-1990
Argentine Invasion of Falklands
Britain warns Argentina that any military or civilian ship or aircraft representing a threat to the task force will be destroyed
Role range: 1982-1982 – 1979-1990
Invasion of Falklands
South Georgia is recaptured & the nation is told to "rejoice!"
Role range: 1979-1990 – 1979-1990
Capture of South Georgia
Announces the recovery of South Georgia.
Role range: 1982-1982 – 1979-1990
Capture of South Georgia
South Georgia recaptured by Royal Marines - Thatcher tells Britain to "rejoice"
Role range: 1982-1982 – 1979-1990
Capture of South Georgia
South Georgia is recaptured from the Argentinians
Declaration of Defence Area
A "defence area" is declared around the fleet
Role range: 1982-1982 – 1979-1990
Defence Area
Declares a defence area around the British fleet.
Role range: 1982-1982 – 1979-1990
Operation Sutton
Operation Sutton is presented to the cabinet
Role range: 1982-1982 – 1979-1990
Mobilization
The task force arrives at the exclusion zone
Role range: 1982-1982 – 1979-1990
Alliance Reagan declares US for Britain
Reagan declares US for Britain and promises "materiel aid"
Role range: 1982-1982 – 1979-1990
Exclusion Zone
Maritime exclusion zone is declared a total exclusion zone, applicable to all ships and aircraft supporting the Argentine occupation of the Islands
Role range: 1982-1982 – 1979-1990
International Sanctions at London
Reagan terminates Haig's peace mission, declares US support for Britain, imposes economic sanctions on Argentina, and offers Britain materiel and other aid
Role range: 1982-1982 – 1979-1990
Total Exclusion Zone
Extends restrictions to ships and aircraft supporting Argentina.
Role range: 1982-1982 – 1979-1990
Air Attacks on Falklands
Air attacks begin on the Argentine garrison on the Falklands
Role range: 1982-1982 – 1979-1990
Operation Black Buck
Operations against the Falklands open with the "Black Buck 1" attack on the airfield at Stanley
Role range: 1982-1982 – 1979-1990
Invasion of Falklands
The General Belgrano is sunk by HMS conqueror
Role range: 1979-1990 – 1979-1990
Naval Losses
The General Belgrano is sunk outside the Exclusion Zone demarcated by the British. After the loss of the Belgrano, the entire Argentine fleet returns to port and do not leave again for the duration of hostilities
Role range: 1982-1982 – 1979-1990
Naval Losses
Galtieri rejects Peruvian peace plan, citing General Belgrano
Role range: 1982-1982 – 1979-1990
Naval Losses
The British lose the Type 42 destroyer HMS Sheffield to fire following an Exocet missile strike - 20 die
Role range: 1982-1982 – 1979-1990
Operation Black Buck
British forces begin bombarding Argentine positions around Stanley
Role range: 1982-1982 – 1979-1990
Diplomatic Plan at London
Emergency meeting of full British cabinet approves Peruvian peace plan
Role range: 1982-1982 – 1979-1990
Diplomatic Plan at London
Full cabinet approval of the Peruvian peace plan
Role range: 1982-1982 – 1979-1990
Peruvian Peace Plan
Cabinet considers and accepts the Peruvian peace plan.
Role range: 1982-1982 – 1979-1990
Diplomatic Plan at London
Argentine junta rejects Peruvian peace plan
Role range: 1982-1982 – 1979-1990
Declaration of Exclusion Zone
The exclusion zone is extended to 12 miles off the Argentine coast
Role range: 1982-1982 – 1979-1990
Records, sources and methodology
These dates and descriptions come from the historical_events database. Exact duplicate records have been collapsed. Names are grouped by the country, Name 2 and Name 1 fields; records with missing Name 2 cannot be reliably assigned to an individual biography. Check the underlying sources before formal citation.