1982 Liberation Memorial facts for kids
Quick facts for kids 1982 Liberation Memorial |
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| Falkland Islands | |
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| For the British Forces and supporting units that served in the Falkland War | |
| Unveiled | 14 June 1984 |
| Location | 51°41′29″S 57°52′02″W / 51.691395°S 57.867298°W |
| Designed by | Gerald Dixon, David Norris |
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IN MEMORY OF THOSE WHO LIBERATED US
14 JUNE 1982 |
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The 1982 Liberation Memorial is a special monument in Stanley, Falkland Islands. It remembers all the British soldiers, sailors, and air force members who served in the Falklands War. These brave people helped free the Falkland Islanders from Argentine military control in 1982.
The Memorial stands proudly in front of the Secretariat Building. It looks out over Stanley Harbour. The money to build this memorial was raised entirely by the people of the Falkland Islands. It was officially opened on Liberation Day, June 14, 1984. This date was the second anniversary of the war's end. Sir Rex Hunt, who was the Governor of the Falkland Islands at the time, unveiled it.
What Does the Memorial Look Like?
The Memorial is a tall, pointed stone pillar called an obelisk. On the front, you can see the coat of arms of the Falkland Islands. This symbol is surrounded by a laurel wreath, which means honor and victory. Below this, it says: "In Memory of Those Who Liberated Us" and the date the war ended: "14 June 1982".
At the very top of the obelisk is a bronze statue of Britannia. She is a female figure who represents Great Britain. On the back and sides of the Memorial, you will find lists of the military groups that fought in the war. These include British Army regiments, RAF squadrons, Royal Navy ships, and Royal Marine units.
Behind the main Memorial, there are ten plaques. These plaques list the names of the 255 British military people who died during the war. Their names are grouped by the part of the military they served in. Right behind the Memorial, there is also a relief sculpture. This artwork shows important moments from the war.
The Memorial was designed by Gerald Dixon, an architect born in the Falklands. The bronze statue of Britannia was created by David Norris. In 2015, a bust (a sculpture of a person's head and shoulders) of Margaret Thatcher was placed next to the Memorial. She was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom when the war happened in 1982.
How is the Memorial Used?
Every year, special services are held at the Memorial. These services take place on June 14, which is Liberation Day. Another service is held on Remembrance Sunday. This is the Sunday closest to November 11, also known as Armistice Day. During these services, wreaths are placed at the base of the Memorial to honor those who served.
The Memorial has also been shown on special commemorative coins and postage stamps. These were released by the Falkland Islands government.
See also
