On April 2, 1982, Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands. This quiz is about the newsmakers and events of the tumultuous Eighties.

1 Still on the Falkland conflict. What was the name of the French-made missile which the Argentine Air Force used with deadly effect, sinking two British warships?

2 The Eighties also featured the final stages of the South African Border War, which was contested between South Africa and its Angolan UNITA allies, and South West African Peoples Organisation. Which non-African nation provided a large contingent of soldiers and arms to help the SWAPO cause?

3 Which international leader lost his life in 1981 when a soldier shot him with an assault rifle during the annual victory parade to celebrate his nation’s crossing of the Suez Canal?

4 In which country was a notorious ‘baby’ finally overthrown, 15 years after taking over from ‘papa’ in 1971?

5 On November 9, 2009, more than 1,000 dominos were stacked and then toppled in a major European city to commemorate which memorable event of the Eighties?

6 Which Caribbean nation did the US invade in 1983 to overthrow a dictatorship and help pave the way for democratic elections?

7 By what popular name was the first Palestine uprising against the Israeli occupation of the West Bank, which started in 1987, known?

8 Operation Opera was a surprise air strike that destroyed a nuclear reactor. The mission, which took place in 1981, created a huge controversy as the plant in question was ostensibly for peaceful purposes. Which were the two countries involved?

9 Which Asian country witnessed the People Power Revolution in February 1986 resulting in the overthrow of almost 20 years of dictatorship?

10 Which famous organisation took shape on August 31, 1980, in Gdañsk at the Lenin Shipyard when the communist government first agreed to allow its existence?

Answers

1. The Exocet. While the French stopped supplying the guided missile once the war started, those in stock did enough damage

2. Cuba. More than 25,000 Cuban troops participated in the conflict, fighting mainly with Soviet-built weaponry

3. Egyptian President Anwar Sadat. It also started a tradition of checking all weapons for ammunition before ceremonial parades

4. Haiti. Jean-Claude Duvalier, nicknamed ‘Baby Doc,’ was ousted after a more violent reign than his father, Francois ‘Papa Doc’ Duvalier

5. The fall of the hated Berlin Wall on November 9, 1989

6. Grenada, which was a British principality till 1974

7. The Intifada, now known as the First Intifada

8. Israel conducted the air strike, hitting the Iraqi facility at Osirak

9. The Philippines. President Marcos was forced to give way, and was replaced by Corazon Aquino

10. The Polish Trade Union, Solidarity, which Lech Walesa led to an election victory a decade later

Joy Bhattacharjyais a quizmaster and Project Director, FIFA U-17 World Cup

Follow Joy on Twitter @joybhattacharj

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