Falkland Islands in History

UK Countries & Territories: Ascension Islands - Bermuda - Cayman Islands - England - Gibraltar - Guernsey - Isle of Man - Jersey - Montserrat - Northern Ireland - Scotland - Turks and Caicos Islands - Virgin Islands (British) - Wales

Historical Events

  • 1771-01-22 Spain cedes Falkland Islands to Britain
  • 1833-01-01 British government demands Falkland islands
  • 1833-01-03 Britain seizes control of Falkland Islands in South Atlantic

Event of interestEvent of Interest

1834-03-16 Charles Darwin, aboard HMS Beagle, anchors in the recently British-acquired Falklands Islands for the first time

Naturalist Charles Darwin
Naturalist
Charles Darwin
  • 1915-03-14 German cruiser Dresden scuttled off Más a Tierra, Chile, having been pursued by the Royal Navy after the Battle of the Falkland Islands, with her engines worn out and virtually no coal
  • 1971-07-01 Britain and Argentina sign accord about Falkland Islands
  • 1982-04-02 Several thousand Argentine troops seize the Falkland (Malvinas) Islands from Great Britain
  • 1982-04-03 UN Security Council demanded Argentina withdraw from Falkland Islands
  • 1982-04-05 British Royal Navy aircraft carriers Invincible and Hermes, with escort vessels, depart Portsmouth, England for the Falkland Islands in response to the Argentine invasion

UKArgentine Soldiers Surrender in the Falklands

1982-04-26 Argentina surrenders to Great Britain on South Georgia Island, near the Falkland Islands

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Argentinian prisoners of war are marched in Port Stanley after they surrendered in the Falklands War
Argentinian prisoners of war are marched in Port Stanley after they surrendered in the Falklands War
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  • 1982-05-04 British destroyer HMS Sheffield hit by Exocet rocket off Falkland Islands: 20 of her crew died.
  • 1982-05-21 British troops land on Falkland Islands
  • 1982-06-12 Battle of Mount Longdon Falkland Islands
  • 1982-06-15 Riots in Argentina after Falklands/Malvinas defeat
  • 1982-06-17 President Galtieri resigns after leading Argentina to defeat in the Falkland Islands

Event of interestEvent of Interest

1983-01-09 British PM Margaret Thatcher visits Falkland Islands

British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher
British Prime Minister
Margaret Thatcher
  • 1985-10-03 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) adopts constitution
  • 2013-03-11 Falkland Islands’ sovereignty referendum: 99.8% choose to remain an Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom

Famous Birthdays

  • 1926-06-29 Rex Hunt, British diplomat and Governor of the Falkland Islands (1982-1985), born in Redcar, North Yorkshire, England (d. 2012)
  • 1939-11-18 John Cheek, Falkland Islands advocate

Famous Deaths

  • 1996-09-03 John Cheek, Falkland Islands advocate, dies at 56
  • 2012-11-11 Rex Hunt, British diplomat and Governor of the Falkland Islands (1982-1985), dies at 86