Image by Terri Stalons from Pixabay
The Falklands Conflict
Forty years ago next year, on 14 June 1982, The Falklands War ended.
I’m old enough to remember when the Falklands War broke out and when it ended. I personally believe that had it not been for this conflict, our then prime minister, Margaret Thatcher, would have been overthrown a lot sooner than she was.
I think it was the making of her and, regardless of my own personal opinions, I do believe that she was the best man for the job.
I also remember not even knowing where the Falklands Islands were. I was one of those who was convinced that they were off the coast of Scotland and, as with many others, I couldn’t understand why Argentina was even remotely interested in the place.
What can you find out about the origins of this war? How did it start? What was the background? What happened in those few weeks? How many people died? Were any civilians injured or killed? Do you think the islands should belong to Argentina or to the United Kingdom? Why? And what has happened since?
If you are not particularly interested in war and conflict or politics, what else can you peg onto this anniversary? Can you write about the flora or the fauna on the islands? Or set a short story there? If nothing else, it was a good excuse to share a picture of penguins!
The Boston Strangler
Sixty years ago next year, on 14 June 1962, a man called Alberto DeSalvo murdered his first victim, Anna Šlesers. She was found in her Boston apartment. DeSalvo went on to become known as the Boston Strangler.
If you are interested in true crime, this might be a good anniversary piece for you. In all, it is believed that he killed thirteen women over a two-year period, but it is also suggested in some quarters that there may have been more than one killer. What is your take on this? What do you think?
What can you find out about DeSalvo? What was his background? What do you think caused him to go on this killing spree? Is it already documented? Where did he come from? What did he do for a living? What happened to him?
This could be an argument for or against the death penalty, citing examples of either miscarriages of justice or getting the right person.
How about his victims? There are thirteen to choose from or you can look at all of them. Who were they? What did they do to deserve such a violent death? How did DeSalvo choose them? Where did they live? What did they do for work?
What else is Boston famous for? Is there anything else that you can tag onto this one? Can you write a murder mystery featuring a similar serial killer? And remember, it is a current anniversary for the next two years, in case you find the going a little slow.
Check the date!
Some sources have this next incident down as 14 June 2002, while others have it down as two days later, 16 June 2002. It is only twenty years ago next year, so it should be easy for you to find out, if this one interests you.
Either way, twenty years ago next year, in June 2002, a large asteroid just missed the earth. Perhaps it was first spotted on the 14th and it remained in our orbit until the 16th.
Of course, there is a lot of science with this one, and because it is so recent, you need to check your facts because it is still well within living memory. But, equally, you could also let your imagination go wild as you explore what might have happened had the asteroid made landfall.
Over to you…
… and don’t forget to come back and let me know if and what you did, and how it fared.
