Key events of 1982
11 January
Mark Thatcher goes missing in the Sahara during the Paris-Dakar rally.
26 January
Unemployment reaches three million.
23 February
Coal ship St Bedan is bombed and sunk by the IRA.
25 February
ECJ rules that British schools cannot use corporal punishment against parents' wishes.
19 March
Argentine scrap metal merchants land on South Georgia, precipitating Falklands crisis.
2 April
Argentine forces invade the Falkland Islands.
5 April
Royal Navy task force sets sail to re-capture the Falkland Islands. Lord Carrington resigns as Foreign Secretary.
17 April
Canada repatriates its constitution granting full political independence.
25 April
Royal Marines recapture South Georgia.
1 May
RAF bomb Port Stanley airport.
2 May
Nuclear-powered submarine HMS Conqueror sinks Argentine cruiser General Belgrano.
4 May
HMS Sheffield hit by Exocet missile and sinks on 10 May.
21 May
British landings begin at San Carlos, East Falkland. HMS Ardent sunk.
23 May
British frigate HMS Antelope hit by Argentine bomb.
25 May
HMS Coventry and Atlantic Conveyor lost.
28 May
Arrival of Pope John Paul II in Britain.
29 May
Battle of Goose Green (Falklands).
31 May
Battle of Stanley begins (Falklands).
8 June
Ronald Reagan becomes first American President to address a joint session of Parliament.
14 June
Falklands War ends as British forces enter Port Stanley and Argentina surrenders.
19 June
Body of 'God's Banker' Roberto Calvi found hanging under Blackfriars Bridge.
9 July
Michael Fagan breaks into Buckingham Palace and speaks to the Queen.
20 July
Hyde Park and Regent's Park bombings (IRA).
12 October
Victory Parade for Falklands War in London.
30 November
Animal activists send a letter bomb to10 Downing Street, injuring one member of staff.
12 December
Thirty thousand women form a human chain around the nine mile perimeter fence at Greenham Common.
