Timeline of the history of the Falkland Islands
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The Falkland Islands ( es, Islas Malvinas) have a complex history stretching over five hundred years. Active exploration and colonisation began in the 18th century but a self-supporting colony was not established till the latter part of the 19th century. Nonetheless, the islands have been a matter of controversy, as due to their strategic position in the 18th century their sovereignty was claimed by the French, Spaniards, British and Argentines at various points. The strategic importance of the Falkland Islands was negated by the opening of the Panama Canal in 1914. Nevertheless, the continued sovereignty dispute between the United Kingdom and Argentina led to the
Falklands War The Falklands War ( es, link=no, Guerra de las Malvinas) was a ten-week undeclared war between Argentina and the United Kingdom in 1982 over two British dependent territories in the South Atlantic: the Falkland Islands and its territorial de ...
in 1982.


15th century

*1493:
Pope Alexander VI Pope Alexander VI ( it, Alessandro VI, va, Alexandre VI, es, Alejandro VI; born Rodrigo de Borja; ca-valencia, Roderic Llançol i de Borja ; es, Rodrigo Lanzol y de Borja, lang ; 1431 – 18 August 1503) was head of the Catholic Churc ...
issues a Papal bull, the Inter caetera, that divides the New World between Spain and Portugal. *1494:
Treaty of Tordesillas The Treaty of Tordesillas, ; pt, Tratado de Tordesilhas . signed in Tordesillas, Spain on 7 June 1494, and authenticated in Setúbal, Portugal, divided the newly discovered lands outside Europe between the Portuguese Empire and the Spanish Emp ...
between Spain and Portugal agree the terms of the Papal Bull modifying the dividing line.


16th century

*1504:
Binot Paulmier de Gonneville Binot Paulmier, sieur de Gonneville, French navigator of the early 16th century, was widely believed in 17th and 18th century France to have been the discoverer of the Terra Australis. Currently, History books from Normandy, in France, teach that B ...
(France) sights islands that may have been the Falklands. *1522:
Pedro Reinel Pedro Reinel (fl. 1485 – 1540) was a Portuguese cartographer. Between 1485 and 1519 Reinel served three Portuguese kings: João II, Manuel I and João III. He and his son, Jorge Reinel, were among the most renowned cartographers of their era, a ...
(Portugal) Unrecorded Portuguese expedition may have sighted the Falkland Islands. Evidence is found in two early maps, one made by the Portuguese cartographer Pedro Reinel in about 1522, the very first map to show the Falklands. *1525: Pedro Vega (Spain) Captain of the ''Anunciada'', part of Frey Garcia Jofre de Loaysa's expedition, possible sighting. *1529: Diogo Ribeiro (Portugal) produces a map indicating islands in the position of the Falklands. *1535: Simon de Alcazaba (Spain) sights islands that may have been the Falklands. *1540: Ferdinand Camargo (Spain) shelters in islands that may have been the Falklands. In the 20th Century, the noted maritime historian
Felix Riesenberg Felix Riesenberg (9 April 1879 – 19 November 1939) was an American maritime officer and writer of maritime professional, historical, and fictional literature in the early 20th century. Biography Riesenberg was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. ...
reconstructed the voyage and concluded it was most likely Islas de los Estados. *1541: The "Sanson" islands are indicated on the Map XV del Islario (atlas) de Alonso de Santa Cruz in a position corresponding to the Falklands. *1543: Juan Bautista Agnese produces a nautical chart indicating the "Sanson" Islands in a position corresponding to the Falklands. *1562: A map showing the "Sanson" islands is produced. Original author may be either Diego Gutiérrez or Bartholome Olives. *1571: A map produced by Fernão Vaz Dourado (Portugal) shows islands in the correct position of the Falklands. *1577: The "Sanson" Islands are indicated on the Martinez nautical chart. *1580: The "Sanson" Islands are indicated on the Olives nautical chart. Possible circumnavigation by
Sir Francis Drake Sir Francis Drake ( – 28 January 1596) was an English explorer, sea captain, privateer, slave trader, naval officer, and politician. Drake is best known for his circumnavigation of the world in a single expedition, from 1577 to 1580 (t ...
. *1583: Pedro Sarmiento de Gamboa (Spain) sights islands that may have been the Falklands. *1590: Islands are shown on contemporary Spanish and Italian charts. *1592: John Davis ( England), member of the second English expedition of Cavendish, shelters among islands that may have been the Falklands. The Falklands motto ''Desire the right'' is in part based on Davis' ship ''
Desire Desires are states of mind that are expressed by terms like "wanting", "wishing", "longing" or "craving". A great variety of features is commonly associated with desires. They are seen as propositional attitudes towards conceivable states of aff ...
''. *1593: Richard Hawkins (England) maps the northern coastline, naming the islands ''Hawkins Maydenlande'' after himself and
Queen Elizabeth Queen Elizabeth, Queen Elisabeth or Elizabeth the Queen may refer to: Queens regnant * Elizabeth I (1533–1603; ), Queen of England and Ireland * Elizabeth II Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary; 21 April 1926 – 8 September 2022 ...
. Whether the islands were in fact the Falklands is disputed. *1600: Sebald de Weert ( Netherlands) sights the islands. This is widely accredited as the first sighting of the islands.


17th century

*1604:
Treaty of London The Treaty of London or London Convention or similar may refer to: *Treaty of London (1358), established a truce between England and France following the Battle of Poitiers *Treaty of London (1359), which ceded western France to England *Treaty of ...
between Spain and England. Terms largely favourable to Spain set aside "what had been able to acquire previously to its signature". *1670: Treaty of Madrid. Spain recognised English possessions in the Caribbean Sea, and each country agreed to refrain from trading in the other's territory. *1675: Anthony de la Roché (England) discovers
South Georgia South Georgia ( es, Isla San Pedro) is an island in the South Atlantic Ocean that is part of the British Overseas Territory of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands. It lies around east of the Falkland Islands. Stretching in the east ...
.Capt. Francisco de Seixas y Lovera
''Descripcion geographica, y derrotero de la region austral Magallanica. Que se dirige al Rey nuestro señor, gran monarca de España, y sus dominios en Europa, Emperador del Nuevo Mundo Americano, y Rey de los reynos de la Filipinas y Malucas''
Madrid, Antonio de Zafra, 1690. (Narrates the discovery of South Georgia by the Englishman Anthony de la Roché in April 1675 (Capítulo IIII Título XIX page 27 or page 99 of pdf); Relevant fragment.)
*1684: William DampierAntonio de Viedma, ''Diarios de navegación – expediciones por las costas y ríos patagónicos'' (1780–1783), Ediciones Continente reprint, Buenos Aires 2006, , with an introduction by Professor Pedro Pesatti, Universidad Nacional de Conahue, Argentina: and two prefaces of importance – ''Discurso preliminar al diario de Viedma'', pp. 19–28, and ''Apuntes históricos de la Isla Pepys'', pp. 33–36 with facsimile map, both authored by Pedro de Angelis, on 20 June 1839. De Angelis (b. Naples 1784, d. Buenos Aires 1859) was the historian who created the State Printing Service. He edited the collection of works and documents relative to the ancient and modern history of the provinces of the River Plate in six volumes (1835–1838). and Ambrose Cowley (England). Dampier publishes an accurate position for the islands but Cowley's account contains an inaccurate position North leading to the legend of
Pepys Island Pepys Island is a phantom island, once said to lie about north of the Falkland Islands at 47°S.James BurneyA Chronological History of the Discoveries in the South Sea Or Pacific Ocean accessed 25 July 2010 Pepys Island is now believed to have ...
. *1690: John Strong (England) landed, and named the sound and eventually the entire island group after Viscount Falkland, Admiralty Commissioner. *1696: Dampier returns to circumnavigate the islands.


18th century

*1701: Gouin de Beauchesne ( France) *1708: Woodes Rogers ( Great Britain) *1713: Treaty of Utrecht between Spain, France, and Great Britain. Spain later claims this granted Spain sovereignty over the islands based on the
Treaty of Tordesillas The Treaty of Tordesillas, ; pt, Tratado de Tordesilhas . signed in Tordesillas, Spain on 7 June 1494, and authenticated in Setúbal, Portugal, divided the newly discovered lands outside Europe between the Portuguese Empire and the Spanish Emp ...
, a claim rejected by Great Britain. *1740: George Anson (Great Britain) *1749: Anson proposes an expedition to find Pepys Island and establish a base on the Falkland Islands. Expedition is abandoned following pressure from the Spanish but with Great Britain formally rejecting the Spanish claim. *1764:
Louis de Bougainville Louis-Antoine, Comte de Bougainville (, , ; 12 November 1729 – August 1811) was a French admiral and explorer. A contemporary of the British explorer James Cook, he took part in the Seven Years' War in North America and the American Revoluti ...
(France) founded a naval base at Port Louis, East Falkland. The French named them the ''Îles Malouines'', so-called from when the islands were briefly occupied by fishermen from St Malo. Many of the settlers were Acadians left homeless by the Great Expulsion in Nova Scotia. *1765: Ignorant of de Bougainville's presence,
John Byron Vice-Admiral John Byron (8 November 1723 – 1 April 1786) was a British Royal Navy officer and explorer. He earned the nickname "Foul-Weather Jack" in the press because of his frequent encounters with bad weather at sea. As a midshipman, he sa ...
(Great Britain) claims Saunders Island and other islands for Britain. Britain builds a settlement on Saunders Island the following year. *1766: France and Spain reach agreement: French forces are to leave, and Spain agrees to pay for the installations built by de Bougainville. *1767: Fort St Louis is formally transferred to the Spanish Crown and renamed Puerto Soledad. Bougainville receives compensation for his efforts in establishing the colony. The first Spanish Governor, Don Felipe Ruiz Puente, is appointed. *1769: British and Spanish ships encounter one another whilst surveying the island. Each accuse the other of having no lawful reason for being in the islands. *1770: Falkland Crisis: Five Spanish ships arrive at Port Egmont with over 1400 troops under the command of General Madariaga. The British are forced to abandon Port Egmont and threaten war. *1771: That dispute was settled, with Spain retaining Puerto Soledad and Great Britain Port Egmont. Spain returns all goods and chattels seized and makes restitution. The Spanish later claim a secret agreement was reached whereby the British would leave the island, this is denied by the British and no documentary proof of the agreement has ever been produced. *1774: The British decide to evacuate many overseas settlements due to the economic pressures of the
American War of Independence The American Revolutionary War (April 19, 1775 – September 3, 1783), also known as the Revolutionary War or American War of Independence, was a major war of the American Revolution. Widely considered as the war that secured the independence of t ...
. The British garrison departs the islands but leaves behind a plaque asserting British dominion. *1775: Captain
James Cook James Cook (7 November 1728 Old Style date: 27 October – 14 February 1779) was a British explorer, navigator, cartographer, and captain in the British Royal Navy, famous for his three voyages between 1768 and 1779 in the Pacific Ocean an ...
rediscovers
South Georgia South Georgia ( es, Isla San Pedro) is an island in the South Atlantic Ocean that is part of the British Overseas Territory of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands. It lies around east of the Falkland Islands. Stretching in the east ...
and takes formal possession on behalf of King George III. *1776: The Spanish garrison becomes part of the Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata. *1780: Sealers occupying Port Egmont are evicted when it is destroyed by the Spanish to prevent the British from returning. *1790: Nootka Convention. Britain conceded Spanish sovereignty over all Spain's traditional territories in the Americas. Whether or not the islands were included is disputed.


19th century

*1806: Spain recalls Governor Juan Crisostomo Martinez from the islands but leaves behind a plaque re-asserting Spanish dominion. *1807: Settlers on the Island face near-starvation after the British occupy
Montevideo Montevideo () is the Capital city, capital and List of cities in Uruguay, largest city of Uruguay. According to the 2011 census, the city proper has a population of 1,319,108 (about one-third of the country's total population) in an area of . M ...
and enforce a blockade. *1811: The Spanish evacuate Puerto Soledad, the islands become the domain of sealers and whalers. *1813: ''Isabella'' under Captain Higton is wrecked on Eagle Island (now known as Speedwell Island). Six sailors undertake the hazardous voyage to the River Plate in an open longboat. The remaining crew are rescued by the American sealer ''Nanina'' under Captain Barnard. Whilst Barnard seeks additional supplies, the British crew seize ''Nanina'' and maroon the Americans. *1814: After being marooned for 18 months Barnard is rescued by the British whalers ''Asp'' and '' Indispensable''. *1816: The United Provinces of South America, later called Argentina, claimed independence from Spain. *1819: The South Shetland Islands are discovered by Captain William Smith who claims possession for King George III. *1820: After an 8-month voyage, and with the ship in a poor state, the Argentine frigate, '' Heroína'', puts into the islands in October. On 6 November Captain Jewett raises the flag and claims the islands for the United Provinces of the River Plate. *1821:
South Orkney Islands The South Orkney Islands are a group of islands in the Southern Ocean, about north-east of the tip of the Antarctic PeninsulaKing George IV George IV (George Augustus Frederick; 12 August 1762 – 26 June 1830) was King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and King of Hanover from the death of his father, King George III, on 29 January 1820, until his own death ten y ...
. *1823: The United Provinces of the River Plate appoints Don Pablo Areguati as Commandant of Puerto Soledad. An appointment in name only as he never sets foot on the islands. *1824:
Luis Vernet Luis Vernet (born Louis Vernet; March 6, 1791 – January 17, 1871) was a merchant from Hamburg of Huguenot descent. Vernet established a settlement on East Falkland in 1828, after first seeking approval from both the British and Argentine autho ...
and his partner Pacheco attempt an expedition to the islands. The venture is a failure. *1825: The United Kingdom recognised Argentina's independence from Spain. *1826: Vernet's first attempt to establish a settlement. Expeditions fail due to Brazilian blockade and conditions encountered on the islands. *1828: Vernet's settlement established. *1829: Buenos Aires issues decree setting up "Political and Military command of the Malvinas". Britain protests. *1831: Vernet seizes three US vessels and imprisons their crews. The US sends the USS ''Lexington'' and arrests seven of Vernet's men. The Captain of the ''Lexington'' offers to take the settlers off the island. Most accept, however, 24 remain and continue working for Vernet. The US declares the islands free from Government. *1832: Argentina sends a garrison commanded by Major Esteban Mestivier. Mestivier is murdered following a mutiny. *1833: Britain re-establishes control of the islands. (See Re-establishment of British rule on the Falklands (1833).) William Dixon is named as the British representative and Matthew Brisbane returns to take over Vernet's settlement at Port Louis. Charles Darwin's first visit to the islands. In August,
Antonio Rivero Antonio "El Gaucho" Rivero was a gaucho known for his leading role in the Port Louis Murders of 26 August 1833, in which five prominent members of the settlement of Port Louis on the Falkland Islands were murdered. In Argentine revisionist histor ...
leads a gang of creoles and Gauchos who murder key members of the settlement. *1834: Installation of the first British resident, Lt Henry Smith. Smith arrests Rivero's gang, restores the settlement and renames it Ansons Harbour. Charles Darwin's second visit. *1838: Lt Lowcay replaces Lt Smith. *1839: Lt Lowcay is replaced by Lt Robinson, in December Robinson is relieved by Lt Tyssen.
Vernet Vernet is a surname. Notable people with the surname include: Painters * Antoine Vernet (1689-1753), French painter, father of Claude Joseph Vernet * Claude Joseph Vernet Claude-Joseph Vernet (14 August 17143 December 1789) was a French painter. ...
is refused permission to return to the islands. G.T. Whittington forms a company to exploit fishery and agriculture, petitions the British Government to colonise the islands. *1840: The British approve the formation of a colony on the islands. *1841: General Rosas offers to relinquish any claim to sovereignty over the Falkland Islands in return for the relief of the Argentine debt to City of London interests. The British decline the offer. Lt. Governor Moody is appointed as the first British Governor of the Islands, a
Letters Patent Letters patent ( la, litterae patentes) ( always in the plural) are a type of legal instrument in the form of a published written order issued by a monarch, president or other head of state, generally granting an office, right, monopoly, titl ...
establishes the legal framework for the colony. *1843: Work begins on the new town of Port Stanley, at Jackson's Harbour.
South Georgia South Georgia ( es, Isla San Pedro) is an island in the South Atlantic Ocean that is part of the British Overseas Territory of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands. It lies around east of the Falkland Islands. Stretching in the east ...
is placed under the administration of the Falkland Islands by the
Letters Patent Letters patent ( la, litterae patentes) ( always in the plural) are a type of legal instrument in the form of a published written order issued by a monarch, president or other head of state, generally granting an office, right, monopoly, titl ...
of 1843. *1845: In July, Stanley becomes new capital of the Falkland Islands. *1846: Samuel Lafone is awarded a contract to exploit feral cattle on East Falkland. He names the peninsular south of East Falkland Lafonia. *1847: Land is made available for sale or lease in the Falkland Islands. Ship repair trade in the islands is boosted by large number of ships rounding Cape Horn en route to the California Gold Rush. *1849: 30 married Chelsea Pensioners and their families arrive in the islands. Population in the islands reaches 200. *1850: Britain and Argentina sign the “Convention between Great Britain and the Argentine Confederation, for the Settlement of existing Differences and the re-establishment of Friendship”. Several historians (Argentine, British and Latin American) consider this has a negative impact upon Argentina's modern sovereignty claim. *1851:
Falkland Islands Company The Falkland Islands Company Ltd is a diversified goods and services company owned by FIH Group. Known locally as FIC, it was founded in 1851 and was granted a royal charter to trade in 1852 by Queen Victoria. It was originally founded by Samuel ...
is established by Royal Charter. *1852: Cheviot sheep are first introduced to the islands. Sheep farming later becomes the dominant agriculture on the islands. *1854: A defence force is formed on the islands in response to the Crimean War. *1859: Establishment of
Darwin Darwin may refer to: Common meanings * Charles Darwin (1809–1882), English naturalist and writer, best known as the originator of the theory of biological evolution by natural selection * Darwin, Northern Territory, a territorial capital city i ...
.Wigglesworth, Angela. (1992) ''Falkland People''. Pub. Peter Owen. *1861: San Carlos Farm established. *1866: Establishment of Port Howard. *1875: Establishment of
Goose Green Goose Green is a settlement in Lafonia on East Falkland in the Falkland Islands. It lies on Choiseul Sound, on the east side of the island's central isthmus, south-southwest of Darwin. With a population of about 40, it is the third-largest s ...
. *1876: The last warrah is killed at Shallow Bay. *1878: The first peat slide destroys several houses in Port Stanley. *1878: The first postage stamps are issued with values of 1d and 6d respectively see Postage stamps and postal history of the Falkland Islands. *1880s: The "forest" at
Hill Cove Hill Cove is the third largest settlement on West Falkland, in the Falkland Islands, in the north-west. It is on the north coast, on the shore of Byron Sound, and overlooks Port Egmont Port Egmont (Spanish: ''Puerto de la Cruzada''; French ...
is planted. *1881: The Falkland Islands become financially independent. *1884: Argentina requests that the sovereignty dispute be submitted to independent arbitration, Britain refuses. The first mention of the Falkland Islands by Argentina for 34 years. *1886: Second peat slide destroys the exchange building and two women are killed. *1888: Argentina lodges a diplomatic protest with the UK, the matter is not raised again with the UK until 1941. *1889:
Falkland Islands Magazine The ''Falkland Islands Magazine'' (from 1908, the ''Falkland Islands Magazine and Church Paper''), was a monthly periodical published in the Falkland Islands between 1889 and 1933. It was the first regular publication in the islands. The ''Magazi ...
the first local periodical is published and printed in the Islands. *1891:
Falkland Islands Gazette The ''Falkland Islands Gazette'' is the government gazette of the Falkland Islands Government. It has been published in Stanley, Falkland Islands, Stanley since 1891.British Library main catalogue search, 12 May 2014. See also * List of British ...
is first published in Stanley. *1892: Consecration of Christ Church Cathedral. *1899: Banknotes for the Falkland Islands pound are issued for the first time. *1899: St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church is consecrated.


20th century

*1903: Christ Church Cathedral is completed. *1914: Battle of Coronel and Battle of the Falkland Islands. *1919:
Falkland Islands Defence Force The Falkland Islands Defence Force (FIDF) is the locally maintained volunteer defence unit in the Falkland Islands, a British Overseas Territory. The FIDF works alongside the military units supplied by the United Kingdom to ensure the security ...
is formed following the First World War *1921: The killing of fur seals is banned. *1925: The "forest" at
Hill Cove Hill Cove is the third largest settlement on West Falkland, in the Falkland Islands, in the north-west. It is on the north coast, on the shore of Byron Sound, and overlooks Port Egmont Port Egmont (Spanish: ''Puerto de la Cruzada''; French ...
is enlarged, producing the most substantial stand of trees in the islands. *1933: The famous
whalebone Baleen is a filter-feeding system inside the mouths of baleen whales. To use baleen, the whale first opens its mouth underwater to take in water. The whale then pushes the water out, and animals such as krill are filtered by the baleen and re ...
arch is constructed outside of
Christchurch Cathedral ChristChurch Cathedral, also called Christ Church Cathedral and (rarely) Cathedral Church of Christ, is a deconsecrated Anglican cathedral in the city of Christchurch, New Zealand. It was built between 1864 and 1904 in the centre of the city, ...
to celebrate the centenary of the British administration. *1939: Battle of the River Plate. shelters in the islands after suffering major damage in the battle. *1941: The issue of the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands is raised by Argentina in a Message to Congress. This is the first time since the signing of the Convention of Settlement in 1850. *1945: Formation of the United Nations, Argentina states its claim to the islands in its opening address. *1946: Britain includes the Falkland Islands among the non-autonomous territories subject to its administration, under Chapter XI of the UN charter. *1947: Britain first offers to take the sovereignty dispute over the Dependencies to the
ICJ The International Court of Justice (ICJ; french: Cour internationale de justice, links=no; ), sometimes known as the World Court, is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations (UN). It settles disputes between states in accordanc ...
. Argentina does not accept. *1948: Britain again offers to take the sovereignty dispute over the Dependencies to the
ICJ The International Court of Justice (ICJ; french: Cour internationale de justice, links=no; ), sometimes known as the World Court, is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations (UN). It settles disputes between states in accordanc ...
. Argentina declines. *1951: Britain again offers to take the sovereignty dispute over the Dependencies to the
ICJ The International Court of Justice (ICJ; french: Cour internationale de justice, links=no; ), sometimes known as the World Court, is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations (UN). It settles disputes between states in accordanc ...
. Argentina declines. *1953: Britain again offers to take the sovereignty dispute over the Dependencies to the
ICJ The International Court of Justice (ICJ; french: Cour internationale de justice, links=no; ), sometimes known as the World Court, is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations (UN). It settles disputes between states in accordanc ...
. Argentina declines. *1955: Britain unilaterally refers the sovereignty dispute over the Dependencies to the
ICJ The International Court of Justice (ICJ; french: Cour internationale de justice, links=no; ), sometimes known as the World Court, is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations (UN). It settles disputes between states in accordanc ...
. Argentina indicates that it will not accept any judgement.Symmons, C. R. "Who Owns the Falkland Island Dependencies in International Law? An Analysis of Certain Recent British and Argentinian Official Statements." The International and Comparative Law Quarterly 33, no. 3 (1984): 726-36. Accessed October 25, 2020. http://www.jstor.org/stable/759166. *1960s: Soviet Union expands interests in Antarctica and
South Shetlands The South Shetland Islands are a group of Antarctic islands with a total area of . They lie about north of the Antarctic Peninsula, and between southwest of the nearest point of the South Orkney Islands. By the Antarctic Treaty of 19 ...
, and maintains "research vessels" in the South Atlantic until the 1990s. *1960: UN Resolution 1514 (XV) calls for an end to colonisation. Britain lists the islands as a colony, Argentina protests. *1961: Antarctic Treaty comes into force, all sovereignty claims in the
Antarctic The Antarctic ( or , American English also or ; commonly ) is a polar region around Earth's South Pole, opposite the Arctic region around the North Pole. The Antarctic comprises the continent of Antarctica, the Kerguelen Plateau and other ...
region are suspended. *1962: Britain transfers administration of the
South Orkney Islands The South Orkney Islands are a group of islands in the Southern Ocean, about north-east of the tip of the Antarctic PeninsulaSouth Shetland Islands and Graham Land from the Falklands to the British Antarctic Territory. *1964: A Cessna 172 piloted by Miguel Fitzgerald lands on the racecourse in Stanley, plants the Argentine flag and hands over a letter claiming sovereignty to bemused residents. *1965: December United Nations Resolution 2065 called upon Britain and Argentina to "proceed without delay with negotiations ..with a view to finding a peaceful solution to the problem ..bearing in mind ..the interests of the population of the Falkland Islands (Las Islas Malvinas)." *1966:
Aerolíneas Argentinas Flight 648 Aerolíneas is Spanish for "airlines". It may refer to: *ABC Aerolíneas, Mexican airline also known as Interjet * Aerolíneas Argentinas, Argentinean airline * Aerolíneas de El Salvador, defunct El Salvadoran airline *Aerolíneas de Baleares, def ...
is hijacked by 20 terrorists calling themselves 'Condors' and forced to land on Stanley racecourse. Islanders assuming the aircraft was in distress rush to assist and are taken hostage. Due to much persuasion (involving playing constant Country and western music), the terrorists surrender and are repatriated to Argentina. Argentine tactical divers are landed by submarine ARA ''Santiago del Estero'' to conduct covert reconnaissance of suitable landing sites. *1967: Britain opens negotiations with Argentina and indicates willingness to transfer sovereignty. *1968: Falkland Islands Emergency Committee is formed to lobby on the Islanders behalf to remain British. A small private plane piloted by Miguel Fitzgerald crash lands on Eliza Cove Road during the visit of
Lord Chalfont Alun Arthur Gwynne Jones, Baron Chalfont, (5 December 1919 – 10 January 2020) was a British Army officer, a British politician and an historian. Early life and military career Gwynne Jones was born in modest circumstances in Monmouthshire. ...
. Islanders reiterate their determination to remain British and reject suggestions of sovereignty transfer. *1970: SS ''Great Britain'' is returned to Bristol for restoration. *1971: Communications agreement signed between Britain and Argentina. Air links to the islands are established by
LADE Lade may refer to: People * Brendon Lade (born 1976), an Australian rules footballer * Sir John Lade (1759–1838), a baronet and Regency horse-breeder * Heinrich Eduard von Lade (1817–1904), a German banker and amateur astronomer * The Jarls o ...
, Argentina's military airline, Britain promises a supply ship from
Montevideo Montevideo () is the Capital city, capital and List of cities in Uruguay, largest city of Uruguay. According to the 2011 census, the city proper has a population of 1,319,108 (about one-third of the country's total population) in an area of . M ...
but later reneges. Islanders travelling through Argentina are forced to carry Argentine Identity Cards rather than a British passport. Argentine Government agrees to suspend sovereignty claims whilst attempting to win the islanders over. *1972: Work starts on a temporary airfield at Port Stanley. *1973: Newly elected President Juan Perón renews sovereignty claim in the UN, resolution 3160 urges negotiations but Britain refuses. *1974:
YPF YPF S.A. (, formerly ; English: "Fiscal Oilfields") is a vertically integrated, majority state-owned Argentine energy company, engaged in oil and gas exploration and production, and the transportation, refining, and marketing of gas and petr ...
becomes the exclusive supplier of oil and gas company to the islands. Britain proposes a condominium solution to the sovereignty dispute but this is rejected by the islanders. *1975: Construction of a paved runway at Port Stanley commences.
Lord Shackleton Edward Arthur Alexander Shackleton, Baron Shackleton, (15 July 1911 – 22 September 1994) was a British geographer, Royal Air Force officer and Labour Party politician. Early life and career Born in Wandsworth, London, Shackleton was the you ...
is asked to undertake an economic survey of the islands. Diplomatic relations between the UK and Argentina are broken. *1976: RRS ''Shackleton'' is fired upon by the Argentine
destroyer In naval terminology, a destroyer is a fast, manoeuvrable, long-endurance warship intended to escort larger vessels in a fleet, convoy or battle group and defend them against powerful short range attackers. They were originally developed in ...
ARA ''Almirante Storni'' during Lord Shackleton's mission. Argentina establishes a military base on Southern Thule. Britain protests but seeks a diplomatic solution. *1977:
Operation Journeyman Operation Journeyman was a Royal Navy operation in which a naval taskforce was secretly sent to the Falkland Islands in November 1977 to prevent an Argentina, Argentine invasion. Operation The operation was ordered by James Callaghan after a part ...
: in response to increasing tension with Argentina, the Callaghan Government sends a Royal Navy task force to the South Atlantic. Negotiations are re-opened with Argentina over the islands. Stanley airport opens. *1978: Falkland Islands Association opens a London office to lobby Parliament on the islanders' behalf. *1979: Nicholas Ridley visits the Falkland Islands to
canvass Canvassing is the systematic initiation of direct contact with individuals, commonly used during political campaigns. Canvassing can be done for many reasons: political campaigning, grassroots fundraising, community awareness, membership driv ...
islanders views. *1979: Graham Bound publishes the first edition of the
Penguin News ''Penguin News'' is the only newspaper produced in the Falkland Islands. It is published every Friday and provides news and features about the islands. History The paper was founded as a monthly in 1979, and after the Falkland Islands War it ...
*1980: Nicholas Ridley proposes leaseback solution, it is rejected by the islanders. *1981: British Nationality Act strips many islanders of British citizenship. It is announced that HMS ''Endurance'' is to be withdrawn and the
British Antarctic Survey The British Antarctic Survey (BAS) is the United Kingdom's national polar research institute. It has a dual purpose, to conduct polar science, enabling better understanding of global issues, and to provide an active presence in the Antarctic on ...
base in
Grytviken Grytviken ( ) is a settlement on South Georgia in the South Atlantic and formerly a whaling station and the largest settlement on the island. It is located at the head of King Edward Cove within the larger Cumberland East Bay, considered the b ...
is to close. Argentine scrap dealer Constantino Davidoff visits
South Georgia South Georgia ( es, Isla San Pedro) is an island in the South Atlantic Ocean that is part of the British Overseas Territory of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands. It lies around east of the Falkland Islands. Stretching in the east ...
without permission, setting off a chain of events resulting in the
Falklands War The Falklands War ( es, link=no, Guerra de las Malvinas) was a ten-week undeclared war between Argentina and the United Kingdom in 1982 over two British dependent territories in the South Atlantic: the Falkland Islands and its territorial de ...
. *1982: Various tensions, including the desire of the Argentine military junta to distract attention from domestic economic and political ills, led to an Argentine invasion. The islands were later retaken by the UK. (See
Falklands War The Falklands War ( es, link=no, Guerra de las Malvinas) was a ten-week undeclared war between Argentina and the United Kingdom in 1982 over two British dependent territories in the South Atlantic: the Falkland Islands and its territorial de ...
.) In November, the United Nations General Assembly called on the UK and Argentina to resume sovereignty negotiations, but the UK refuses to discuss sovereignty unless it has the consent of the Islanders. An updated Shackleton report on the economic prospects for the islands is published following the conflict. *1983: Franks Report into the causes of the
Falklands War The Falklands War ( es, link=no, Guerra de las Malvinas) was a ten-week undeclared war between Argentina and the United Kingdom in 1982 over two British dependent territories in the South Atlantic: the Falkland Islands and its territorial de ...
is published. British citizenship is restored to the islanders. *1984: Britain and Argentina enter into talks in Berne, Britain refuses to discuss sovereignty without the consent of the islanders. The Falklands war memorial is dedicated on Liberation Day (14 June). *1985: New Falkland Islands constitution is adopted. The Falkland Islands become a parliamentary representative democratic dependency. Falkland Islands Government assumes responsibility for all domestic matters. Mount Pleasant Airfield opens. *1986: UN adopts an Argentine resolution calling for Britain to resume negotiations including sovereignty. *1987: Establishment of the Falkland Islands Fishery regime, this becomes the major source of income for the islands. *1989: Newly elected Argentine president
Carlos Menem Carlos Saúl Menem (2 July 1930 – 14 February 2021) was an Argentine lawyer and politician who served as the President of Argentina from 1989 to 1999. Ideologically, he identified as a Peronist and supported economically liberal policies. H ...
embarks on talks with Britain under the sovereignty umbrella. *1990: Britain and Argentina resume diplomatic relations. A Chilean airline begins charter flights to Mount Pleasant Airfield. *1991: Argentine next of kin visit the Argentine cemetery in Darwin. *1992:
Falkland Islands Community School Falkland Islands Community School (FICS) is an 11–16 mixed secondary school in Stanley, Falkland Islands. It was established in 1992 and houses the public library, also used for school purposes, and the Falkland Islands Leisure Centre. It di ...
opened in 1992, replacing an older senior school. *1994: Argentina enshrines its claim to the Falkland Islands in its constitution. *1995: British and Argentine Governments sign an agreement concerning exploitation of oil deposits surrounding the islands. The Argentine warship ARA ''Granville'' harasses fishing vessels in Falkland Waters and threatens RFA ''Diligence''. Regular visits by Argentine next of kin commences. *1997: Constitutional amendment balances the number of elected officials between Stanley and
Camp Camp may refer to: Outdoor accommodation and recreation * Campsite or campground, a recreational outdoor sleeping and eating site * a temporary settlement for nomads * Camp, a term used in New England, Northern Ontario and New Brunswick to descri ...
. *1998: UK
arms embargo An arms embargo is a restriction or a set of sanctions that applies either solely to weaponry or also to "dual-use technology." An arms embargo may serve one or more purposes: * to signal disapproval of the behavior of a certain actor * to maintain ...
on sales to Argentina is relaxed. *1999: The Chilean government requests that its airlines stop flying to the Falklands in response to the arrest of Augusto Pinochet in London, prompting the Falkland Islanders to allow the British Government to enter negotiations with Argentina. An agreement between the British and Argentine Governments ends the ban on visits by Argentine nationals. Passenger flights over Argentine airspace are permitted in return.


21st century

*2000:
British Antarctic Survey The British Antarctic Survey (BAS) is the United Kingdom's national polar research institute. It has a dual purpose, to conduct polar science, enabling better understanding of global issues, and to provide an active presence in the Antarctic on ...
base at
Grytviken Grytviken ( ) is a settlement on South Georgia in the South Atlantic and formerly a whaling station and the largest settlement on the island. It is located at the head of King Edward Cove within the larger Cumberland East Bay, considered the b ...
,
South Georgia South Georgia ( es, Isla San Pedro) is an island in the South Atlantic Ocean that is part of the British Overseas Territory of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands. It lies around east of the Falkland Islands. Stretching in the east ...
reopened. *2001: British military garrison is withdrawn from
South Georgia South Georgia ( es, Isla San Pedro) is an island in the South Atlantic Ocean that is part of the British Overseas Territory of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands. It lies around east of the Falkland Islands. Stretching in the east ...
. *2002: First SAMA 82 pilgrimage to the islands. 200 British veterans of the conflict return to the islands. *2003: Several yachts competing in a solo round the world race are forced into Stanley for repairs. *2004: A permanent memorial to Argentine war dead is dedicated in the Argentine Military Cemetery. Argentine icebreaker ''Almirante Irízar'' harasses shipping in Falkland waters. Falkland Islands Timeline: A Chronology of events in the history of the Falkland Islands, Accessed 2007-10-02 *2005: Falklands Gold and Minerals prospect for Gold in Lafonia. *2007: 25th Anniversary of the
Falklands War The Falklands War ( es, link=no, Guerra de las Malvinas) was a ten-week undeclared war between Argentina and the United Kingdom in 1982 over two British dependent territories in the South Atlantic: the Falkland Islands and its territorial de ...
is commemorated in services in Stanley and London. Argentine president Néstor Kirchner renews sovereignty claim and renounces agreements over oil exploration. UK renews claims to Antarctic territory before the expiry of the deadline for territorial claims following Britains ratification of the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention. Major General Sir John Jeremy Moore, commander of the British land forces during the
Falklands War The Falklands War ( es, link=no, Guerra de las Malvinas) was a ten-week undeclared war between Argentina and the United Kingdom in 1982 over two British dependent territories in the South Atlantic: the Falkland Islands and its territorial de ...
, dies. *2008: The British Government announces that it is considering action on clearing the 20,000 mines left in the islands by Argentine forces during the
Falklands War The Falklands War ( es, link=no, Guerra de las Malvinas) was a ten-week undeclared war between Argentina and the United Kingdom in 1982 over two British dependent territories in the South Atlantic: the Falkland Islands and its territorial de ...
in 1982. Remains of an Argentine airman killed during the Falklands War were identified using DNA testing, the remains had been unidentified since discovery in 1986. *2009: Preliminary clearance of some of the mine fields left over from the Falklands War begins. Argentina creates a diplomatic incident over the presence of Falkland Islands Government representatives at a conference on sustainable fishing in Spain. After years of delay, the Argentine memorial at the Darwin cemetery was finally inaugurated. Argentina submitted a claim for large areas of the South Atlantic, including the Falkland Islands, under the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention. In the general election, the entire legislative assembly was replaced by new members. *2010: Oil exploration around the Falkland Islands begins. *2011: A referendum on changing the electoral system in the Falkland Islands was held. A proposal for a single constituency was rejected.Falkland Islands voters overwhelmingly reject single constituency proposal
MercoPress, 4 November 2011
*2012: In freezing temperatures and a snowstorm, Falkland islanders turned out to give thanks for their liberation from Argentine occupation in 1982. The Argentine president Cristina Kirchner ratcheted up tension with the UK. *2013: A referendum is organised by the Falkland Islands Government on the political status of the Falkland Islands. The result was overwhelming support for retention of the link with the UK. *2014: The Falkland Islands fields a squad of 25 athletes at the Commonwealth Games, its largest ever attendance at the event. On the centenary anniversary of the Battle of the Falkland Islands, a search begins for the wrecks of the German ships sunk in the Battle of the Falkland Islands. In an act of reconciliation, descendants of Vice Admiral Graf Max von Spee, Vice-Admiral Doveton Sturdee and Rear-Admiral Sir Christopher Cradock attend a remembrance service in Stanley. *2015: The 250th anniversary of the first British settlement is celebrated in the islands. *2016: An agreement is reached between the UK, Argentina and the Falkland Islands Government with the support of the International Red Cross for a project to identify the remains of Argentine soldiers buried in the Argentine Cemetery in the Falkland Islands. *2017: The ICRC anthropology team begins the project to identify fallen Argentine soldiers buried in the Argentine Military Cemetery. the remains of some 115 soldiers have been identified leaving only 10 still to be named. *2018: The Falkland Islands Government publishes its plan for improving the health and wealth of Falkland Islanders. Following on from the identification of 90 fallen Argentine soldiers by the ICRC team some 200 relatives are able to visit the graves of their loved ones for the first time. *2019: An expedition led by Falkland Islander
Mensun Bound Mensun Bound (born 4 February 1953) is a British maritime archaeologist born in Stanley, Falkland Islands. He is best known as director of exploration for two expeditions to the Weddell Sea which led to the rediscovery of the Endurance,BBC News, ...
, discovers the wreck of the SMS ''Scharnhorst'' to the North of the Falkland Islands. *2020:
COVID-19 pandemic in the Falkland Islands The COVID-19 pandemic in the Falkland Islands is part of the worldwide pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 () caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (). The virus was confirmed to be in the islands on 3 April 2020. D ...
, flights to South America are suspended. Land mine clearance of mines laid in the Falklands War was completed. *2022: Flights to South America recommence following the easing of COVID-19 restrictions. Commemorative services are conducted on the 40th anniversary of the
Falklands War The Falklands War ( es, link=no, Guerra de las Malvinas) was a ten-week undeclared war between Argentina and the United Kingdom in 1982 over two British dependent territories in the South Atlantic: the Falkland Islands and its territorial de ...
. Stanley is granted city status during celebrations for Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee.


See also

* History of the Falkland Islands *
Origins of Falkland Islanders Falkland Islanders (also called '' Kelpers''Chater, Tony. ''The Falklands''. St. Albans: The Penna Press, 1996. p. 137. or ''Falklanders'') derive from various origins. Earliest among these are the numerically small but internationally dive ...
* Puerto Soledad * History of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands *
Falklands War The Falklands War ( es, link=no, Guerra de las Malvinas) was a ten-week undeclared war between Argentina and the United Kingdom in 1982 over two British dependent territories in the South Atlantic: the Falkland Islands and its territorial de ...


References


External links


1987 American report
by Richard D. Chenette, Lieutenant Commander, USN, laying out the history and background of the disputed claims

*Graham Pascoe and Peter Pepper
Getting it right: The real history of the Falklands/Malvinas.
May 2008. {{DEFAULTSORT:Timeline Of The History Of The Falkland Islands History of the Falkland Islands