Argentina invades Falklands

2nd April 1982

The Falkland Islands, a British possession for 149 years, are invaded by Argentina on this day. The British have long claimed the Falklands, based on their discovery by British navigator John Davis in 1592, but they have also been claimed and occupied at various times by Spain, France, and Argentina. For several decades, Argentina petitioned the United Nations for possession of the Falkland Islands, but Britain refused to comply, leading Argentine dictator General Leopoldo Galtieri to order a full-scale invasion.