Day Of The Veterans
Veterans Day is a holiday observed annually in Argentina on April 2nd. Also known as Malvinas Day, this holiday pays homage to all the soldiers who died during the Falklands War.
Argentina (National holiday)The Falklands War was a 10-week undeclared war that occurred between Argentina and the UK in 1982 over the Falkland Islands and its territorial dependency—an overseas territory called South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands. This war began on April 2nd, 1982, and ended on June 14th, 1982. Over the course of that time, 649 Argentine soldiers died, and these fallen soldiers are called Malvinas Heroes.
The History of Veterans Day in Argentina
The Falklands War was the result of a protracted dispute over who owned the islands. Argentina asserted that the islands were part of Argentine territory, but the British considered them part of their territory.
So when Argentine forces “reclaimed” the islands, the British saw it as an invasion. After all, the UK reasoned, these islands had been a Crown colony since the mid-19th century. Although neither country declared war, both acknowledged the islands as a war zone. The conflict lasted from April 2, 1982, through June 14, 1982.
In 2001, Malvinas Day was introduced in Argentina. Before this holiday was introduced, Sovereignty over Malvinas Islands Day was a holiday that remembered the fallen during that conflict, and it was observed on June 10th.
Malvinas Day would replace this holiday, however. It is now officially known as the Day of the War Veterans and the Fallen in the Malvinas Islands or Día del Veterano de Guerra y los Caídos en las Islas Malvinas.
Observing Veterans Day in Argentina
Every April 2nd, the people of Argentina take a few moments to remember their fallen countrymen who died in defense of the Malvinas Islands. It is a time when people visit memorials and learn more about the conflict in the Malvinas Islands (as the islands are known to people in Argentina).
Argentina (National holiday)
