This Thursday will mark the 30th anniversary of the end of the Falklands War between the United Kingdom and Argentina -- a 10-week affair that could be considered Britains last military victory.

The mini-war killed more than 900 people on both sides and wounded another 1,800.

Reportedly, after the surrender of Argentine troops was announced, Londoners appeared outside Prime Minister Margaret Thatchers residence at No. 10 Downing Street and serenaded her with the patriotic song of empire, ''Rule Britannia.''

Over the past three decades, the conflict over these remote islands in the South Atlantic Ocean has never really subsided Argentina, which calls the islands "Las Malvinas," still claims the territory as its own, citing sovereignty through inheritance from the Spanish crown in the early 1800s.

Argentina wants to negotiate a handover of the islands to Buenos Aires, while London adamantly refused to do any such thing.

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The British government firmly asserts its right to the Falklands under the strength of its near-continuous administration of the islands since 1833. Westminster also cites the Falkland Islanders'"right to self determination, including their right to remain British if that is their wish."

British Prime Minister David Cameron complained earlier this year that Argentina has a "colonialist" attitude towards the Falklands a statement quickly condemned by the Argentine Senate.

Camerons remarks also prompted a protest at the British Embassy in Buenos Aires where Argentine demonstrators demanded that diplomatic ties to London be cut.

Argentina frequently refers to the Falklands (a.k.a. Malvinas) as an illegally occupied territory, for example when Prince Williams made a highly publicized visit to the islands in February.

Originally posted here:

Falkland Islands: The Last Remnants Of The British Empire