This day in history

The Falkland Islands, a British possession for 149 years, are invaded by Argentina on this day.

The British have long claimed the Falklands, based on their discovery by British navigator John Davis in 1592, but they have also been claimed and occupied at various times by Spain, France and Argentina. For several decades, Argentina petitioned the United Nations for possession of the Falkland Islands, but Britain refused to comply, leading Argentine dictator General Leopoldo Galtieri to order a full-scale invasion.

After diplomatic efforts failed, British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher responded with force and Britain's armed forces overwhelmed the Argentines within six weeks. During the Falklands War, Britain lost five ships and 256 lives before regaining the islands and Argentina lost its only cruiser and nearly 750 lives. In 1989, the approximately 2,000 residents of the Falkland Islands reaffirmed their allegiance to Britain by rejecting a pro-Argentina political party.
 

A French Court sentences former French cabinet minister Maurice Papon to 10 years in jail for his part in deporting Jews from France during World War II.

In America, the trail of New York Mafia boss John Gotti for amongst many other charges, murder, begins.