London Victory Parade of 1982 facts for kids
| Date | 12 October 1982 |
|---|---|
| Location | London, England |
| Type | Military parade |
| Cause | British victory in the Falklands War |
| Organised by | City of London |
| Participants |  United Kingdom |
The London Victory Parade of 1982 was a special event held in London, England. It was a victory parade to celebrate the British win in the Falklands War. This war took place earlier in 1982 between the United Kingdom and Argentina.
The parade was organized by the City of London to honor the brave soldiers, sailors, and air force members. These people were part of the "Task Force" that went to the Falkland Islands. The parade happened on October 12, 1982, a few months after the war ended.
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Celebrating a Victory
This parade was a big deal for London. It was the first time the City of London had celebrated a military event like this since 1949. That was when they honored the crew of a ship called HMS Amethyst.
The Parade Route
The parade started at Armoury House. This building is near Finsbury Square in London. The soldiers, sailors, and air force members marched along a route that was about one mile long.
They walked through several famous streets. These included Moorgate, Lothbury, and Threadneedle Street. The parade then went past a very important building called Mansion House. Finally, it continued along Poultry and Cheapside to Guildhall.
Who Watched the Parade?
Around 300,000 people came out to watch the parade. They lined the streets to cheer for the returning Task Force. It was a huge crowd!
Important People at the Salute
At Mansion House, the Lord Mayor of London, Sir Christopher Leaver, took the salute. This means he stood and formally greeted the marching service members.
He was joined by some very important leaders. These included Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. Also present were Admiral Sir Terence Lewin and Field Marshal Sir Edwin Bramall. Sir Edwin Bramall was the Chief of the Defence Staff, a top military leader.
Different Views on the Parade
While many people celebrated, some groups had different opinions. Peace campaigners were people who did not agree with the Falklands War. They also felt the parade was too focused on military power.
Protests During the Parade
These campaigners held protests during the parade. Some tried to block the road to stop the march. About 17 people were arrested during these protests.
A group of women from the Greenham Common Women's Peace Camp also protested. They showed their disagreement by turning their backs on the parade as it passed by.
After the March
After the parade, a special lunch was held at the Guildhall. It was called a "Salute to the Task Force" luncheon. Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher gave a speech at this event.
Prime Minister's Speech
In her speech, Mrs. Thatcher praised the British people and the Task Force. She said:
We, the British people, are proud of what has been done, proud of these heroic pages in our island story, proud to be here today to salute the task force. Proud to be British.
Her words showed how proud the government and many people felt about the outcome of the Falklands War.
