Two weeks later, on 2nd April, Argentine forces invaded the Falkland Islands.  The resulting war would cost the lives of more than 250 British servicemen, more than 650 Argentines and three local civilians. 

It would also turn the political tide for the then Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher, who would be re-elected in 1983 riding on a wave of national euphoria.

Leith Harbour on South Georgia. The planting of the Argentine flag here led to the Falklands War

Argentina historically had made

claims to 'Las Malvinas'

MORE ON THE CONFLICT

• READ: The background to the conflict
• LISTEN:Invasion Night - hear memories from Patrick Watts MBE, the presenter on-air on the Falklands' radio station whenthe invasion began (30 min documentary)
• LISTEN Goose Green 1982 - our Falklands 25 reporter, Damian Watson, has been to Goose Green to talk to some unlikely prisoners in what was one of the most sinister episodes of the Falklands War (30 min documentary)
• LISTEN Kiss The Children For Me - Kathryn Nutbeem's life changed on 8th June 1982, when her father, Major Roger Nutbeem, was killed on the Sir Galahad. Kathryn has returned to the Falklands to uncover fragments of her father's life and to find her own peace. Produced by Susie Ferguson (30 min documentary)
• LISTEN Kim Sabido's Story - In 1982 Kim Sabido was a 27-year old reporter who covered the conflict for Independent Radio News. He recently returned to the Islands to confront the past. Produced by Susie Ferguson (30 min documentary)
• LISTEN The Watershed War - Damian Watson assesses how the 1982 conflict affected - and continues to affect - the people of the Falkland Islands (30 min documentary)
• LISTEN 25th Anniversary Liberation Day Service and Parade - listen to our full outside broadcast on the commemorative service from Stanley Cathedral and the parade past the Liberation Monument to mark the 25th anniversary of the Liberation of the Falkland Islands. (3 hour outside broadcast, first broadcast live on 14th June 2007)
• LISTEN Baroness Thatcher's Message - the special message given by Margaret Thatcher, British Prime Minister at the time of the 1982 War, to the Falkland Islanders and the British Forces in this anniversary year (4 min message)