Looking Forward at Forty
A message from the Falkland Islands Government:
In 2022 we will mark the 40th anniversary of the liberation of the Falkland Islands. Throughout the year we will hold a number of events in the Falkland Islands and the UK, to commemorate the sacrifices made in 1982, and to celebrate the progress made in the Islands over the past 40 years.
We are calling this special commemorative year “Looking Forward at Forty” – making it a time to reflect on the achievements that have been made with our hard-won freedom, and to look forward to the next 40 years of life in the Falkland Islands.
The 74-day war
On 2 April 1982, Argentine forces invaded and occupied the Falkland Islands. Three days later, on 5 April, a UK task force set sail to recapture the Islands and restore freedom for the Islanders.
25,948 UK Armed Forces personnel, alongside around 3,000 civilian crew from the Merchant Navy, Royal Fleet Auxiliary and Chinese civilian crew, formed the Task Force involved in the liberation of the Falkland Islands, of whom 255 died during the campaign. In addition, three civilian Falkland Islanders were also lost their lives during the war.
Following several weeks of intense fighting, Argentine forces surrendered on 14 June 1982, a date that has since been known in the Falkland Islands as ‘Liberation Day’ and is a national holiday.
Falkland Islanders continue to be profoundly grateful for the strong support that the UK Government continues to provide, in acknowledging our right to self-determination and our choice to remain a UK Overseas Territory.
Today, the Falkland Islands is a forward-looking community, with a strong sense of culture and heritage. To find out more about our home, the way we live and work today, and our plans to mark the 40th anniversary, please visit our website, or find us on social media.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/falklands40th
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/falklands40th/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/falklandhouse
