Looking Back - Falklands/Pope John Paul/Red Rum

Three interesting headlines taken from history for 2 April. During different years, on this day the Falklands were invaded by Argentina, Pope John Paul II died and Red Rum won his third Grand National.

Argentina invades Falklands

On this day in 1982 Argentina invaded the British territory of the Falkland Islands in the south Atlantic. The islands were claimed by Britain in 1833 and since that time have been a cause of friction between the two countries. As the Argentinian flag flew over Government House in the countries capital Port Stanley, the head of the country's military junta, General Leopoldo Galteri, welcomed the "recovery" of "Las Malvinas" - the Argentine name for the Falklands. In the days prior to the invasion Argentine war ships had been standing off the Falklands, home to about 1,800 people. At 0600 'Operation Rosario' began, when Argentine troops landed near Port Stanley. The Falklands' governor, Rex Hunt, had been contacted by Admiral Jorge Anaya, who appealed for a peaceful surrender. The request was rejected and 80 Royal Marines' and twenty locals were mobilised. By afternoon the Argentine troops numbered 3,000 and following an attack on Government House Rex Hunt ordered the British troops to surrender. The subsequent war cost the lives of 655 Argentine and 255 British servicemen, many of them sailors who died during attacks on warships. The war finally ended on 14 June when the commander of the Argentine garrison at Port Stanley surrendered to British troops.

Pope John Paul II dies

On this day in 2005 the Vatican announced the death of Pope John Paul II, the third longest-serving pontiff in history. He died at the age of 84. The Pope died in his private apartment at 2137 local time (1937 GMT), surrounded by his closest Polish aides. The Pope had suffered worsening health problems including a heart condition. As church bells tolled throughout the city, many thousands of people gathered in Rome's St Peter's Square to pay tribute to the pontiff.

Hat trick for Red Rum

On this day in 1977 Red Rum galloped into racing history when winning the Grand National for the third time. The most famous steeple chaser ever had won the race in 1973 and 1974 and had finished second in the following two years. Doubts by many as to whether Red Rum should have run in the most dangerous race in the world, at the age of 12, were dispelled when he romped up the Aintree straight to land the prize and justify his place in the line-up. Speaking after the race his jockey, Tommy Stack, said of Red Rum "He is so intelligent, always looks for the open places and is always on the alert for loose horses." Red Rum's win brought his career earnings to a steeple-chasing record of £114,000. Red Rum was again entered for the race in 1978 but a heel injury prevented him from running, but he did lead a parade of the runners. In his retirement Red Rum became an equine personality, appearing at charity events and betting shop and supermarket openings. He also received a daily stream of visitors at trainer Ginger McCain's yard in Southport, Merseyside. Following his death in 1995 Red Rum was buried near the winning post at Aintree racecourse.