Foreign Secretary of Great Britain
Appointed Foreign Minister
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
1982 in Great Britain — Page 5
Explore 595 historical events and records for Great Britain in 1982.
Historical records for Great Britain in 1982
Sorted by month and day. Records with no month are shown last. Showing 40 of 595 unique records.
595Unique records
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31Named events on this page
11Named people on this page
7Places on this page
April
Private Meeting with Alexander Haig
Meets Alexander Haig at the Foreign Office before Haig travels to Buenos Aires, discussing withdrawal, administration and possible American mediation between Britain and Argentina.
Declaration of Exclusion Zone
The maritime exclusion zone comes into operation
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
Second Haig Mission Talks
Participates in renewed Downing Street discussions after Haig returns from Buenos Aires, examining Argentine positions, British requirements and possible terms for avoiding a military confrontation.
Argentine Autonomy Proposal Review
Discusses with Haig a new Argentine formulation involving autonomy and United Nations decolonisation language, treating it as movement from Buenos Aires that still required British examination.
Early Morning Haig Consultation
Speaks with Haig shortly after 1 a.m. as negotiations encounter Argentine objections, agreeing that the diplomatic stakes are high and further consultation with Thatcher is necessary.
Final Haig Consultation Before Departure
Agrees to meet Haig privately before the American Secretary leaves London, allowing another detailed exchange on revised ideas before Haig reports to President Reagan.
Diplomatic Plan at London
Argentina rejects Haig's 5 point peace plan and London is informed
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
United Nations
Defines rules of engagement as self-defense under United Nations Charter Article 41
Argentine Invasion of Falklands
The main task force sails south from Ascension Island. 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
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
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
Ascension Conference
Chairs planning talks with Woodward and Thompson.
Operation Sutton Planning
Plans the land campaign with naval commanders.
Revised Argentine Text Received
Receives Haig's report of a revised Argentine negotiating text and is informed that, although still unsatisfactory, Washington believes it shows movement toward a potentially workable settlement.
Buenos Aires Proposal Assessment
Receives Haig's current negotiating text from Buenos Aires together with the American assessment that it retreats from earlier understandings on withdrawal, interim administration and long-term negotiations.
Declaration of Exclusion Zone
The exclusion zone comes into force
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
Acceptance of Washington Talks Invitation
Agrees to travel to Washington for two days of talks after Haig asks for direct discussions to identify Britain's negotiating bottom line and avoid diplomatic stalemate.
Argentine Invasion of Falklands
British War Cabinet orders repossession of Islands
War Cabinet Order
Orders the repossession of the Falkland Islands.
Derelict Land Policy
Addresses the Commons on derelict-land reclamation policy.
Fortuna Glacier Flight
Pilots HMS Antrim's Wessex during the difficult special-forces operation on Fortuna Glacier.
Fortuna Glacier SAS Insertion
Serves as observer in HMS Antrim's Wessex helicopter during the hazardous insertion of SAS troops onto Fortuna Glacier.
Invasion of South Georgia
The South Georgia operation begins
London Docklands Development Corporation
Addresses Commons questions on the London Docklands Development Corporation.
Operation Paraquet
The first landings of SAS troops took place, the weather is so bad that their landings and others made the next day are all withdrawn after several helicopters crash into the Fortuna glacier
Operation Paraquet
SAS landings on Fortuna Glacier are abandoned in bad weather.
Argentine Invasion of Falklands
British task force arrives in Falklands waters
Fortuna Glacier Mass Rescue
Pilots the overloaded Wessex that rescues SAS troops and helicopter crews from severe weather on the glacier.
Fortuna Glacier Rescue
Helps navigate the Wessex during the rescue of SAS personnel and crews from two helicopters lost on Fortuna Glacier.
Fortuna Glacier Rescue Crew
Serves in the Wessex crew during the rescue of SAS soldiers and stranded helicopter personnel from Fortuna Glacier.
Visit to Washington
Travels to Washington for direct talks with Alexander Haig on the American peace proposals, British withdrawal requirements and arrangements for interim administration of the Falkland Islands.
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
Falkland Islands Framework Review
Works through the proposed Falkland Islands Framework with Haig and senior officials paragraph by paragraph, testing provisions on withdrawal, interim administration and the islands' future status.
Operation Paraquet
A submarine alert is sounded and operations are halted, with the Tidespring being withdrawn to deeper water to avoid interception
Washington Negotiations Report
Returns with the American framework and gives Thatcher and senior colleagues a full report on the Washington negotiations, including unresolved concerns about Argentine participation in interim administration.
ARA Santa Fe Attack
Serves in the Wessex crew whose depth-charge attack severely damages the Argentine submarine ARA Santa Fe.
How these records were prepared
Generated from the World History Database historical_events table. Identical display records are collapsed; descriptions otherwise retain the stored text. Coverage and source quality vary. Check primary and specialist sources before citing individual historical claims.