Margaret Thatcher and the Falklands War

The British Ambassador of Argentina lodges a formal protest against the unauthorised landing on South Georgia on 20 December 1981 by Argentine scrap-metal merchant shipshant Constantino Davidoff

Thatcher in a private letter to a Conservative Party activist makes clear that she regards the Royal Marine presence in Stanley as sufficient to prevent an Argentine invasion

Britain renews its formal protest at Davidoff's unauthorised landing in South Georgia

Britain renews its formal protest at Davidoff's unauthorised landing in South Georgia

Thatcher confirms the retirement of HMS Endurance

Confirms the planned withdrawal of HMS Endurance.

The Argentine Foreign Minister says that Argentina reserves the right to employ other means if Britain keeps refusing to cede sovereignty

MP Julian Amery asks if all necessary steps are in hand to ensure the protection of the Islands against unexpected attack but receives an evasive reply

Foreign Secretary Lord Carrington refuses to send a submarine to patrol off the Islands and South Georgia

Hercules aircraft operated by Argentine military airline LADE,on a mail run to an Antarctic base, lands at Stanley Airport, falsely claiming a fuel leak, and carrying senior Argentine officers who survey Stanley

Thatcher asks the Foreign Office and Ministry of Defence for contingency plans in case of an Argentine blockade or invasion of the Islands

Requests contingency plans for a possible Argentine blockade or invasion.

Davidoff sends 40 workmen on naval vessel Bahia Buen Suceso to dismantle Leith whaling station, the workmen fail to ask permission to land from the British Antarctic Survey base at Grytviken and hoist the Argentine flag

Davidoff sends 40 workmen on naval vessel Bahia Buen Suceso to dismantle Leith whaling station, the workmen fail to ask permission to land from the British Antarctic Survey base at Grytviken and hoist the Argentine flag

During a crisis meeting headed by the Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, the Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Sir Henry Leach, advised them that "Britain could and should send a task force if the islands are invaded"

During a crisis meeting headed by the Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, the Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Sir Henry Leach, advised them that "Britain could and should send a task force if the islands are invaded"

Britain begins contingency planning for the sending of a task force to the Islands

The Joint Intelligence Committee reports an invasion seems imminent, Thatcher orders 3 nuclear submarines south to the Islands

Orders nuclear submarines south as invasion fears grow.

Chief of Navy Staff Admiral Sir Henry Leach advises a crisis meeting headed by Thatcher that Britain could and should send a task force if the islands are invaded;

Chief of Navy Staff Admiral Sir Henry Leach advises a crisis meeting headed by Thatcher that Britain could and should send a task force if the islands are invaded

Thatcher telegraphs American President Ronald Reagan asking him to warn the Argentines off

Advises Thatcher that a task force can retake the islands.

UN Security Council meets at Britain's request and calls for restraint and avoidance of force

UN Security Council meets at Britain's request and calls for restraint and avoidance of force

Galtieri hails the "recovery" of the Malvinas, saying Argentina had been left no option other than military action, while Carrington tells Parliament "Port Stanley is now occupied by Argentine military forces"

Galtieri hails the "recovery" of the Malvinas, saying Argentina had been left no option other than military action, while Carrington tells Parliament "Port Stanley is now occupied by Argentine military forces".

MPs are recalled for an emergency Saturday sitting after the invasion.

Cabinet approves dispatch of a task force.

After an emergency meeting of the cabinet, approval is given for the formation of a task force to retake the islands

Authorises military action after Argentina invades the Falkland Islands.

1st day of the Falklands War when the Argentines capture the Falklands

Cabinet approves the sending of the task force

Galtieri hails the "recovery" of the Malvinas, saying Argentina had been left no option other than military action, while Carrington tells Parliament "Port Stanley is now occupied by Argentine military forces"

MPs are recalled for a special Saturday sitting of the House of Commons (first since Suez)

UN Security Council passes Resolution 502 by 10 votes to 1 (with 4 abstentions) demanding immediate Argentine withdrawal from the Islands - Argentina refuses to comply

Backed by an emergency session of the House of Commons

The United Kingdom's United Nations ambassador Sir Anthony Parsons submits a draft resolution to the United Nations Security Council, the resolution, which condemned the hostilities and demanded immediate Argentine withdrawal from the Islands

UN Security Council passes Resolution 502 by 10 votes to 1 (with 4 abstentions) demanding immediate Argentine withdrawal from the Islands - Argentina refuses to comply

The United Kingdom's United Nations ambassador Sir Anthony Parsons submits a draft resolution to the United Nations Security Council, the resolution, which condemned the hostilities and demanded immediate Argentine withdrawal from the Islands

British Government announces it will impose a 200-mile exclusion zone around the Islands on 26 April

Aircraft carriers Hermes and Invincible set sail from Portsmouth

British Government announces it will impose a 200-mile exclusion zone around the Islands on 26 April

Announces a 200-mile maritime exclusion zone.

Carrington resigns and is replaced as Foreign Secretary by Francis Pym

The British Government sets up a War Cabinet to provide day-to-day political oversight of the campaign

Creates a small War Cabinet for daily campaign control.

A task force is sent by Britain to recapture the Falkland Islands from Argentina

The maritime exclusion zone comes into operation

200 mile maritime exclusion zone around the Islands declared by Britain to prevent Argentine reinforcements and supplies reaching the Islands from the mainland

Argentina rejects Haig's 5 point peace plan and London is informed

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

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

The exclusion zone comes into force

Argentina rejects Haig's plan unless Britain agrees to transfer sovereignty by 31 December 1982 and allow Argentine nationals to settle in the Islands

British War Cabinet orders repossession of Islands

Orders the repossession of the Falkland Islands.

The South Georgia operation begins

British task force arrives in Falklands waters

Britain warns Argentina that any military or civilian ship or aircraft representing a threat to the task force will be destroyed

Announces the recovery of South Georgia.

South Georgia recaptured by Royal Marines - Thatcher tells Britain to "rejoice"

After a short forced march by the British force ordered by Sheridan, the Argentine forces surrendered without resistance, Prime Minister Thatcher breaks the news to the media, telling them to "Just rejoice at that news!"

A "defence area" is declared around the fleet

Declares a defence area around the British fleet.

Operation Sutton is presented to the cabinet

The task force arrives at the exclusion zone

Reagan declares US for Britain and promises "materiel aid"

Reagan terminates Haig's peace mission, declares US support for Britain, imposes economic sanctions on Argentina, and offers Britain materiel and other aid

Maritime exclusion zone is declared a total exclusion zone, applicable to all ships and aircraft supporting the Argentine occupation of the Islands

Extends restrictions to ships and aircraft supporting Argentina.

Air attacks begin on the Argentine garrison on the Falklands

Operations against the Falklands open with the "Black Buck 1" attack on the airfield at Stanley

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

Galtieri rejects Peruvian peace plan, citing General Belgrano

The British lose the Type 42 destroyer HMS Sheffield to fire following an Exocet missile strike - 20 die

British forces begin bombarding Argentine positions around Stanley

Emergency meeting of full British cabinet approves Peruvian peace plan

Full cabinet approval of the Peruvian peace plan

Cabinet considers and accepts the Peruvian peace plan.

Argentine junta rejects Peruvian peace plan

The exclusion zone is extended to 12 miles off the Argentine coast

Britain extends total exclusion zone to 12 miles off Argentine coast

QE2 leaves Southampton with 5 Infantry Brigade comprising Scots Guards, Welsh Guards and Gurkhas

Argentine junta concedes that sovereignty of the Islands is not a precondition to the United Nations peace plan

QE2 sails with 5 Infantry Brigade troops.

British peace proposals transmitted to Argentina

Argentine junta rejects British peace proposals

The Junta rejects the British proposals

Thatcher accuses Argentina of obduracy and delay, deception and bad faith, tells Commons of collapse of peace process, and orders task force into battle

Tells Parliament of the collapse of the peace process

Thatcher accuses Argentina of obduracy and delay, deception and bad faith, tells Commons of collapse of peace process, and orders task force into battle

Offers to place the Falklands under jurisdiction of the UN, Argentina refuses

The Ardent is sunk

Two brigades of troops had been transported 8,000 miles and one of the most successful amphibious landings was conducted in San Carlos Water when 3,000 troops are put ashore without casualties

The HMS Antelope is sunk

The HMS Coventry is sunk. The Atlantic Conveyor is sunk

UN Security Council Resolution 505 instructs de Cuellar to seek negotiated settlement

UN Security Council Resolution 505 instructs de Cuellar to seek negotiated settlement

UN Resolution 505 bids de Cuellar to seek a settlement to the Falklands War

Argentines surrender Goose Green, British take 1,400 prisoners, and the Islanders imprisoned at Goose Green by the Argentines are released

Argentines surrender Goose Green, British take 1,400 prisoners, and the Islanders imprisoned at Goose Green by the Argentines are released

Receives news of the Argentine surrender at Goose Green.

Organization of American States condemns Britain's military action and calls on the US to stop helping Britain - only the US, Chile, Colombia and Trinidad and Tobago abstain

Organization of American States condemns Britain's military action and calls on the US to stop helping Britain - only the US, Chile, Colombia and Trinidad and Tobago abstain

President Reagan presents his 5 point plan to Britain

Discusses peace proposals with allied leaders.

Battle for Stanley begins on Mount Longdon, Mount Harriet and Two Sisters

Argentine forces surrender at Stanley to Major General Jeremy Moore.

The Battle of Port Stanley ends with the surrender of Argentine forces

Tells Parliament that Argentine forces have surrendered.

Peter Blaker, Minister of State for Defence, announces that the official count of British military and civilian war dead is 255, with approximately 300 wounded

British forces land on Southern Thule (South Sandwich Islands) - Argentines surrender without a fight. Britain formally declares an end to hostilities

British forces land on Southern Thule (South Sandwich Islands) - Argentines surrender without a fight

Formally declares an end to hostilities.

200 mile exclusion zone established around the Islands during the war is replaced by a Falkland Islands Protection Zone of 150 miles

200 mile exclusion zone established around the Islands during the war is replaced by a Falkland Islands Protection Zone of 150 miles

Thatcher appoints an official commission headed by Lord Franks to examine the causes of Britain's failure to prevent Argentine capture of the Islands

Thatcher appoints an official commission headed by Lord Franks to examine the causes of Britain's failure to prevent Argentine capture of the Islands

Appoints Lord Franks to examine pre-war decisions.

Service of Thanksgiving and Remembrance at St Paul's Cathedral in London

Attends the Thanksgiving and Remembrance service.

Britain lifts the Exclusion Zone around the Islands

Lifts the exclusion zone around the islands.

The War Cabinet is dissolved

Dissolves the Falklands War Cabinet.

Takes part in the London victory parade.

Victory Parade in London

The United Nations General Assembly passes a resolution calling for a peaceful solution to the sovereignty dispute

Rejects pressure for sovereignty negotiations after the war.

Healey claims the Conservatives have been "glorying in slaughter" of the Falklands War

Wins re-election after the Falklands victory.