Day of the Veterans 2024: Learn about its History and Fascinating Facts

Day of the Veterans 2024: Argentinians celebrate the Day of the Veterans, also known as Malvinas Day, every year on April 2. We observe a public holiday to honor the lives lost in the Falklands War of 1982. People used to celebrate this day on June 10 to honor the appointment of a governor over the Malvinas, Sandwich Islands, and South Atlantic Islands in 1892.

On November 22, 2000, the current holiday replaced it. During the 74-day occupation from April 2 to June 14, 1982, a total of 649 Argentines, 255 Britons, and three Falkland Islanders lost their lives. Upon Argentina’s surrender to the United Kingdom on June 14, 1982, the British reestablished dominion over the archipelago promptly thereafter.

Day of the Veterans: History

“Islas Malvinas” is the Spanish name for the Falkland Islands. Despite the temporary existence of an Argentine populace, the islands had been under British governance since January 1833. In 1843, the British annexed South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, which were later incorporated into the Falkland Islands Dependencies in 1908. Argentina established the Argentine Fishing Company in South Georgia during the early 20th century and officially declared its independence in 1927. Subsequently, in 1938, Argentina proclaimed sovereignty over the South Sandwich Islands.

Argentine forces invaded the Falkland Islands on April 2, 1982. At 9:15 a.m., Rex Hunt, the British administrator of the islands, capitulated to an overwhelming military force and was subsequently expelled from the islands to Montevideo, Uruguay. The following day, Argentina occupied the uninhabited South Sandwich Islands and South Georgia and appointed Brigadier General Mario Menendez as Military Governor.

Rapidly following the Argentine Peso’s adoption as the official currency of the archipelago, the official drive side was changed from left to right. Protesting citizens were subjected to disciplinary action from the Argentine authorities, including expulsion, incarceration, or house arrest. Aside from a few isolated incidents, maltreatment of Falkland Islanders was virtually nonexistent. On June 14, 1982, following a 74-day occupation and numerous fierce battles, Argentina capitulated to the British. During the conflict, a total of three Falkland Islanders, 649 Argentines, and 255 Britons perished.

National DIY Day 2024 (US): Discover about its Fascinating History and Facts

Day of the Veterans 2024: FAQs

Do the Falkland Islands belong to the United Kingdom?

The Falkland Islands are an overseas territory of the United Kingdom.

Is a president of the Falkland Islands in office?

The monarch of the United Kingdom presides over the Falkland Islands, while the governor and chief executive execute authority on her behalf.

Who presided over Argentina at the time of the Falkland Islands War?

During the Falklands War, Leopoldo Galtieri served as president and military dictator of Argentina.

Five fascinating facts regarding Argentina

The Italian word for “Argentina” translates to “silver” or “silver-colored.”
Five nations adjoin Argentina: Brazil, Paraguay, Bolivia, and Chile.
Argentina has a subtropical climate in the north, a subpolar climate in the south, an arid or semi-arid climate in the lowlands, and an alpine climate along the Andes Mountains.
Although Argentina attempted to maintain neutrality throughout the Second World War, pressure forced it to join less than a month before the conflict ended.
Quirino Cristiani, an Argentine, directed “El Apostol,” the inaugural animated feature film, in 1917.