The Falkland Island's "War"

The Falkland Islands are a group of islands with a total area about the size of Connecticut. They are located 250 miles east of Argentina and 500 miles north of Antarctica. The have been controlled by England since 1831, but have been claimed by Argentina as well.

In April of 1982, the Argentine Navy invaded the islands and occuppied them. The British responded quickly, send a battalion of warships across the Atlantic to confront the invaders.

The United States made attempts to mediate the crisis but the military leaders in the Argentinian government would not back down. The U.S. ultimately sided with the British and offered some support. A fierce sea and land battle resulted in the death of 649 Argentine and 255 British soldiers as well as 3 native Falklanders.

The British action and victory were very popular back home and ultimately propelled Margaret Thatcher as one of the most popular Prime Ministers in this century.