April 2, 1982, hostile Argentine forces landed on the British Dependent Territories of the Falkland Islands. It was the beginning of a conflict that would last for 74 days, claim a total of 907 lives and ultimately result in a British victory. The history of the conflict is long and complex but at heart revolved around a long-standing claim by Argentina that the islands are their territory. The British position is that the islands have been a Crown Colony since 1841 and any change to status would only be at the request of the islanders themselves. Ultimately the residents have ‘Freedom of Choice.’
