The Falklands War began on April 2, 1982 with Argentina’s invasion of the islands, which have been in British hands since 1833. According to historians, the then Argentine junta wanted to divert attention from growing domestic problems with the invasion.
Argentina (still) states that the archipelago is Argentine territory and presented the invasion as retaking its own territory. The British regarded the raid as an act of war. The people who have inhabited the islands since the early 1800s are mainly descendants of British settlers.
The war lasted 72 days. The Argentines suffered a series of defeats and eventually signed a ceasefire that went into effect on June 14. The conflict killed 649 Argentines, 255 British and three islanders.
The war that went badly for Argentina heralded the end of the junta. In Great Britain, the popularity of then Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher rose sharply, and she managed to secure her reelection.
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