Falkland Islands in History

Occupation began in 1826 with the foundation of a settlement and a penal colony, the settlement is destroyed by US warships after the Argentinian governor of the islands Luis Vernet seizes US seal hunting ships during a dispute over fishing rights

Compelled by Britain to cede the Falkland Islands

British forces return and inform the Argentine commander that they intended to assert British sovereignty, existing settlers are allowed to remain, with an Irish member of Vernets settlement, William Dickson, appointed as the Islands governor

Upon signing the United Nations Charter, Argentina states that it reserves its right to sovereignty of the islands, as well as its right to recover them

Sees invasion leading to a diplomatic solution & resigns when Britain decides to fight

Sees invasion leading to a diplomatic solution & resigns when Britain decides to fight

Sees invasion leading to a diplomatic solution & resigns when Britain decides to fight

The United Nations Security Council issues Resolution 502, calling on Argentina to withdraw forces from the Islands and for both parties to seek a diplomatic solution

The United Nations Security Council issues Resolution 502, calling on Argentina to withdraw forces from the Islands and for both parties to seek a diplomatic solution

The Argentine Joint Armed Forces committee beings planning military invasion of Islands

The Juntas plans to capture Islands are revealed in a series of articles in La Prensa newspaper

Deputy Foreign Minister Richard Luce begins sovereignty talks with his Argentine counterpart Ernesto Ros in New York

British and Argentine deputy Foreign Minister's issue a joint communique praising the cordial and positive spirit of sovereignty discussions held in New York

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

Violent anti-Government riots occur across Argentina. The Junta takes final decision to invade the Islands on 2 April

Oversees Army participation as follow-on forces move into the islands after the initial amphibious assault.

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"

Argentina puts Operation Rosario into action by bringing ships into position off the Falkland Islands

Argentine special forces land at Mullet Creek at 4.30am, more troops land at York Bay at 5.30am, and by 6am are engaged in battle with the Royal Marines - 3 Argentines are killed.

Brigadier General Mario Menendez is appointed Governor of Islas Malvinas and Dependencies.

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". Forces the garrison of 18 Royal Marines to surrender.

Governor Hunt orders the surrender at 9.15am - by now the whole town other than Government House is under Argentine control.

Brigadier General Mario Menendez is appointed Governor of Islas Malvinas and Dependencies

Directs the landing force under orders intended to capture the islands while avoiding British and civilian casualties.

Deploys elements of the 25th Infantry Regiment during Operation Rosario as Argentine Army forces join the amphibious assault.

Argentina puts Operation Rosario into action by bringing ships into position off the Falkland Islands

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"

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

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

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

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

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

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

Organisation of American States supports Argentina's sovereignty claim but calls for peaceful negotiations

Organisation of American States supports Argentina's sovereignty claim but calls for peaceful negotiations

Organisation of American States supports Argentina's sovereignty claim but calls for peaceful negotiations

Escapes the heavily defended anchorage after completing reconnaissance and attack passes against the landing force.

Argentine war toll set at 645 dead and missing