The Falkland Island's War

Since 1833 the British have controlled the tiny group of islands 250 miles off the coast of Argentina call the Falkland Islands. In 1982 an Argentine dictator tried to impress the world by invading the islands and claiming them for Argentina.

The British Government quickly sent an Armada of ships, planes and personnel the 8000 miles to the South Atlantic. The United States tried help with a mediation but Argentina was unwilling to negotiate and the U.S. eventually sided with Britain.

The war lasted 74 days, and resulted in the deaths of 257 British and 649 Argentine soldiers, sailors, and airmen, and three civilian Falklanders. Today there is a much larger British military presence on the Islands.