Outstanding Events in Chile
2010: October 13
With great media expectation, in Copiapó, in the middle of the Chilean Atacameño desert, the 33 miners trapped for more than two months at 622 meters deep in a well of the San José mine took place. (11 years ago)
2010: August 5
Near the Chilean city of Copiapó (Atacama) there is a collapse in the San José Mine, trapping 33 miners at a depth of 622 meters. The mine is dedicated to extracting gold and copper. With great anguish, 17 days later, on the 22nd, and thanks to a message sent from the inside through a probe, it will be known that everyone is safe. Nearby, Camp Esperanza will be established, a settlement with rescue teams, family members and the press. After weeks of drilling, the salvage will be completed successfully on October 13. (11 years ago)
1998: October 16
At the London Clinic in London (United Kingdom), where he has undergone surgery for a hernia, the senator and former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet is arrested by members of Scotland Yard, by order of the Spanish judge Baltasar Garzón, accused of crimes of genocide, terrorism and torture, within Summary 19/97, Piece III related to the so-called "Plan Cóndor". Finally, on March 2 of the following year, the British government decided to release Pinochet for humanitarian reasons derived from his state of health. (23 years ago)
1994: October 21
An international arbitral tribunal rules in favor of Argentina in its conflict with Chile over a narrow valley between rectangular mountains 12 km wide and about 44 km long known as the "Lago del Desierto", a border area between the two countries of 530 square kilometers. (27 years ago)
1990: March 10
In Chile, Patricio Aylwin, a Christian Democrat, becomes president in free elections, ending the brutal and bloody dictatorship of General Augusto Pinochet, who led a military coup in 1973. (31 years ago)
1986: September 8
At dawn in Chile, in retaliation for an attack that killed 5 of his bodyguards yesterday, the dictator Augusto Pinochet, in addition to decreeing the state of exception, orders the CNI (Central Nacional de Informaciones, successor of the DINA) the arrest of 4 members of the opposition who are violently taken from their homes. Their bodies will be found riddled with bullets the next day. In 2006, 14 former CNI agents will be sentenced for this. (35 years ago)
1973: September 11
In Chile, General Augusto Pinochet violently deposed democracy and Constitutional President Salvador Allende, who was the first freely elected Marxist leader at the polls in the American continent, commits suicide when he sees no way out. Allende led a democratic socialism, ruling through free elections and respecting the Law. He redistributed the land and, to the chagrin of the United States, nationalized big business in foreign hands. The CIA (American Central Intelligence Agency) consolidated a fierce opposition to Allende by founding groups in secret and his hand is behind the bloody coup. (48 years ago)
1972: December 22
The 16 survivors of a crashed plane are rescued in the Andes after being isolated from the world for 72 days. Of the 45 occupants, 12 died from the crash and the survivors had to endure hunger and temperatures of 30 degrees below zero at night. After trying to subsist on what little food they had waiting to be saved, their hope was dashed when they learned by radio that their rescue had been abandoned. They decide to feed on their deceased companions. Finally fed up with everything but especially by the incessant trickle of deaths from their companions, two of them resolve to cross the immense mountains to try to ask for help. This is how they get rescued. (48 years ago)
1971: July 11
The copper nationalization process culminates when the Chilean National Congress approves, by unanimous vote, the constitutional amendment that makes it possible. In the afternoon, in a massive rally in Rancagua, President Salvador Allende addresses the country stating that "Chile is going to nationalize copper by virtue of a sovereign act. Sovereign act that is even enshrined in United Nations resolutions, which they establish that countries have the right to nationalize their basic wealth. " (50 years ago)
1970: November 3
In Chile, the presidential replacement takes place when the socialist Salvador Allende, winner of the elections, receives the band of President from the hands of his predecessor in office, the Christian Democrat Eduardo Frei. (51 years ago)
1970: October 24
In Chile, after the last elections of September 4 in which no candidate obtained an absolute majority, Salvador Allende, candidate for the Popular Unity and the most voted of those elections, is confirmed in Congress as constitutional president. (51 years ago)
1970: September 4
The Popular Unity, led by Salvador Allende, wins the elections in Chile. (51 years ago)
1964: September 4In the Chilean elections the Christian democrat Eduardo Frei wins, defeating his rival from the Left Front, Salvador Allende. (57 years ago)
1960: May 22
In the vicinity of Valdivia, Chile, the most powerful earthquake ever recorded takes place with a magnitude of 9.5 on the Richter scale, leaving a balance of more than 2,000 people dead, 3,000 injured and some 2 million homeless. The resulting powerful tsunami will cause enormous damage and nearly 200 deaths thousands of miles away, in Hawaii, Japan, and the west coast of the US. (61 years ago)
1945: June 19
In Chile, 120 km south of Santiago, the carbon monoxide emanations produced by the fire of a forge and some barrels of oil located near one of the access portals to the El Teniente copper mine, causes thick columns Smoke spread inside the mine due to ventilation conditions, causing 355 miners, blinded and suffocated by smoke, to die in the interior galleries. 747 more workers are injured of greater or lesser importance. This unfortunate event will go down in history as the "Smoke Tragedy". The unfortunate accident will mark a separate point in Chilean labor legislation from which modern legislation on industrial hygiene and prevention of occupational risks will be developed, Copied from the models that have been practiced in the United States and Europe. Likewise, the Mining Safety Department will be created. (76 years ago)
1932: June 4
Marmaduke Grove, appointed commander-in-chief of the newly created Chilean Air Force, leads a coup in Chile and proclaims the Socialist Republic that will last until June 16, when Carlos Dávila, one of the participants in the Coup, takes over power exclusively. Grove will be deported to Easter Island. On April 19, 1933, together with Óscar Schnake and other leaders, he founded the Socialist Party of Chile, of which he will be its General Secretary from 1939 to 1943. (89 years ago)
1904: March 13
In the morning, in Las Cuevas, an Argentine town in the Department of Las Heras, Mendoza, located in the Andes Mountains on the border between Argentina and Chile, the foreign ministers of both countries together with other civil, ecclesiastical and military authorities, They inaugurate the monument of Christ the Redeemer which will be a symbol of friendship between the two peoples. On the monument there is an inscription with a message from Pope Pius XII, which is read in this act by the Bishop of San Carlos, and which says: "These mountains will collapse first before Chileans and Argentines break the peace sworn at the foot of Christ. Redeemer". This symbolic ceremony puts an end to the tense disagreements that have arisen between both parties that, due to border issues, have been on the verge of unleashing a terrible warlike conflict. (117 years ago)
1901: August 31
The Chilean politician, member of the Liberal Party, Germán Riesco, is proclaimed president of the Republic of Chile. He will hold the presidency of the Republic from today until 1906. His government will be characterized by a worsening of social and economic problems, and the harsh repression of workers' demonstrations. He will also be criticized for his weak character and his inability to control the parties. At the end of his term, considered disastrous by public opinion, he will go into private activity until his death in 1916. (120 years ago)
1888: September 9
On behalf of the Republic of Chile, whose president is José Manuel Balmaceda Fernández, Captain Policarpo Toro takes possession of Easter Island, located in the Pacific Ocean, being incorporated into the national territory on this same day, by decision of the people of Pascue. , inhabitants of Polynesian origin. The operation is closed by paying six thousand pounds sterling to the owners of the island and five thousand francs more to the Catholic mission that has assets on it. (133 years ago)
1884: April 4
Once the War of the Pacific has concluded and by signing the truce treaty of Valparaíso, Bolivia leaves its province of Antofagasta under Chilean law. This treaty establishes that the territories between the Loa River and the 23rd parallel will remain under the administration of Chile and that, in return, Bolivia will have access to the ports of Arica and Antofagasta. Later, in 1904, the Treaty of Peace and Friendship between Chile and Bolivia will be signed, which will recognize the perpetual domain of the disputed territory by Chile, for which, Bolivia will lose all right to have an outlet to the sea and complete it. sovereignty over the Pacific Ocean. This last treaty will be a source of diplomatic tensions since Bolivia will always try to regain a free and sovereign exit to the Pacific Ocean. (137 years ago)
1883: October 20
In the Ancón de Lima resort (Peru) the Ancón Treaty is signed, which restores peace between Chile and Peru, concluding the Peruvian participation in the War of the Pacific. Peru cedes the department of Tarapacá (today Iquique, in Chile) to Chile. This treaty is much discussed in Peru and starts a civil war between the Peruvian signer and promoter Miguel Iglesias and Andrés Avelino Cáceres, which will conclude with the latter's victory. (138 years ago)
1881: January 15
In the vicinity of Lima, Peru, the battle of Miraflores takes place, in which the Chilean army will win, thus marking the end of the War of the Pacific between Chile and Peru and the occupation of the Peruvian city of Lima two days later. (140 years ago)
1879: April 5
Chile declares war on the Bolivian-Peruvian alliance for the nitrate lands of the Atacama desert. The Chilean army will conquer Lima in 1881. La Paz will be signed in 1883 by means of the Ancón treaty and Bolivia will lose after the war, its only exit to the sea. (142 years ago)
1879: March 23
In Calama, Bolivia, the Battle of Calama takes place, the first armed confrontation of the War of the Pacific between the Chilean army and Bolivian civilian forces. After several hours of combat, the Chilean troops will put an end to the Bolivian resistance. Its numerical superiority is decisive. The contest leaves 20 Bolivians and 7 Chileans dead. (142 years ago)
1879: February 14
Chile militarily occupies the port of Antofagasta, which belongs to Bolivia, and could be considered the beginning of the so-called Saltpeter War between Chile and the Bolivian-Peruvian alliance for the nitrate lands of the Atacama desert. The Chilean army will conquer Lima in 1881. La Paz will be signed in 1883 by means of the Ancón treaty and Bolivia will lose after this war, its only exit to the sea. (142 years ago)
1866: March 31
Under the command of captain Casto Méndez Núñez, the Spanish squad, anchored off the city of Valparaíso (Chile), expects them to honor their flag with 21 cannon shots. In the face of the Chilean refusal, Valparaíso was bombarded without rest for about 3 hours. More than 2,600 projectiles and grenades will engulf the city in flames, causing so much damage that the Chilean economy will enter a major recession for years. The Spanish squad will withdraw forever from the Chilean coasts. (155 years ago)
1844: April 25
Although already on February 12, 1818, O'Higgins proclaimed it as an independent Republic, it is not until today when the Treaty of Peace and Friendship between Spain and Chile is signed in Madrid, Spain, by means of which Spain definitively recognizes the Independence of the Republic of Chile. (177 years ago)
1837: September 12
In the Chilean city of Valparaíso, the newspaper "El Mercurio", the dean of Chilean newspapers, is founded. (184 years ago)
1826: January 22
After the capitulation was signed four days ago through the Treaty of Tantauco, which definitively incorporated the Chiloé archipelago into the Republic of Chile, today the Spanish Empire in South America is put to an end by losing the Spanish crown, the Real Felipe Fortress. , which protects the port of Callao in Peru, when the Spanish brigadier José Ramón Rodil y Campillo, who never recognized the capitulation, and due to the lack of support from Spain, handed over the castle. Now begins the process of creating nation-states throughout South America. (195 years ago)
1823: July 24
Chile becomes the first state in America to abolish slavery. With the enactment of the law, some 4,000 slaves are released. (198 years ago)
1820: August 20
The military expedition led by General José de San Martín with the Liberation Army of Peru, composed of 4,000 troops, sets sail from the port of Valparaíso (Chile), which will achieve the independence of Peru. In September they will disembark in Pisco (Peru). Given that they are short of troops, in the first moments they will avoid a direct clash with the royalists and will initiate a war of attrition by cutting communication and supply lines. They will win the support of the local population and foment rebellion in the enemy ranks. On July 10, 1821, they will occupy Lima (Peru). San Martín, after verifying that the population agrees with this war of liberation, will proclaim the Independence of Peru on July 28 and on August 2 will assume the leadership of the State as "Protector of the Freedom of Peru", will abolish slavery, (201 years ago)
1818: April 5
In Chile, in the Maipo Valley, the Battle of Maipú takes place, in which the Chilean Independence Movement, led by José de San Martín and Bernardo O'Higgins, obtains a decisive victory over the Spanish forces. The balance of the fight will leave some 2,000 Spanish and 1,000 Chilean casualties. (203 years ago)
1818: February 12
The independence of Chile is officially proclaimed. Bernardo O'Higgins begins his personalist government that will collapse in 1823 due to his opposition to the aristocracy, of which Ramón Freire will take advantage of his dictatorship. (203 years ago)
1817: February 8
Buenos Aires Colonel Juan Gualberto Gregorio de Las Heras crosses the Andes mountain range with his army to join San Martín and liberate Chile from the Spanish. On the 12th they will face the royalists in the battle of Chacabuco whom they will defeat. They will take the city of Santiago, two days later. (204 years ago)
1817: February 4
The troops of the army of the United Provinces of the Río de la Plata of General San Martín, under the command of Major Martínez, defeat the Spanish troops in the Achupallas gorge, achieving with this victory the first triumph of the so-called "Army of the Andes. ", which in the end will end up giving independence to Chile. This action enables the patriots to secure the Putaendo valley, since the next morning the royalists will flee, abandoning everything. (204 years ago)
1812: February 13
In Chile, the "Aurora de Chile" is published, the country's first newspaper, published until April 1, 1813. (209 years ago)
1811: December 2
In Chile, the republican general José Miguel Carrera Verdugo along with his brothers, Juan José and José Luis, carry out a coup and dissolve the recently created Congress (July 4), overthrowing the conservative majority, without encountering any armed resistance. In this way, the exalted (a group made up of 12 deputies, among whom Bernardo O'Higgins Riquelme and Manuel de Salas Corbalán and the royalists stand out, who only recognize the Cádiz Regency Council) remain in majority and designate a new Junta de Government, which will create the Supreme Judicial Court. (210 years ago)
1811: July 4
Meeting in Santiago, the first session of the Chilean Congress takes place, one of the oldest in Latin America. The best form of government for the kingdom of Chile is debated while the captivity of the King of Spain Fernando VII, kidnapped by Napoleon, lasts. (210 years ago)
1810: September 18
In Santiago de Chile an independent governing Board is constituted, which despite recognizing the sovereignty of the Spanish King Fernando VII, takes a first step towards his political and territorial emancipation. The purpose of this Board is to care for and maintain the colony of Chile while José Bonaparte usurps the Spanish throne. (211 years ago)
1770: October 10
The Captain Felipe González de Aedo, in command of the warship San Lorenzo, disembarks on Easter Island where he stays for seven days and takes possession of it in the name of the King of Spain, Don Carlos III, renaming it San Carlos. in his honor. Act is drawn up by which the aboriginal chiefs of the island recognize Spanish sovereignty. (251 years ago)
1722: April 5On Easter Day, the Dutch navigator Jacob Roggeveen discovers the island of Waihu in the Pacific Ocean, which he baptizes as Easter Island. Composed mainly of rock of volcanic origin, this island is inhabited by Polynesians and has more than 200 gigantic stone figures that are called "mohais". (299 years ago)
1709: February 12
From the Juan Fernández archipelago, belonging to Chile, the Scottish sailor Alexander Selkirk is rescued today, whose adventures on this island will inspire the book "Robinson Crusoe"by the writer Daniel Defoe. Selkirk, who in October 1703 was working on the galleon "Cinque Ports" that anchored in the archipelago, decided not to trust the safety of the aforementioned ship and requested to be taken ashore, repenting shortly afterwards. The isolation lasted four years and four months until, today, he is rescued by the corsair ship "Duke" that will leave two days later carrying on its deck the troubled and lonely Alexander, who will say goodbye to his abode of the last years in the ship while it is moving away from the shores that have sheltered him. Back in civilization, he became a lieutenant in the navy of "HMS Weymouth", a ship on which he died in 1723, at the age of 47. (312 years ago)
1647: May 13
In Santiago de Chile there is a devastating earthquake that kills a third of the population. (374 years ago)
1574: November 22
The Spanish navigator Juan Fernández discovers two islands belonging to the archipelago that currently bears his name, which he baptizes as Santa Cecilia (later called Más a Tierra and today known as Isla Robinson Crusoe) and Santa Clara. The archipelago is located 670 km. from the Chilean coast. (447 years ago)
1557: November 8
In Chile, in the swampy area of the San Pedro lagoon and the Biobio river, the battle of Lagunillas takes place. In it, the Spanish troops of Governor García Hurtado de Mendoza, made up of about 600 men, face off for the first time and defeat the Araucanian chief Caupolicán. (464 years ago)
1554: February 26
In the Sierra de Marihueñu, in the Concepción region (Chile), the military confrontation between Spaniards and Mapuches takes place in which the greatest military victory of the indigenous people over the Spaniards is achieved during the Arauco War, when the troops of the Mapuche Lautaro to the forces commanded by Francisco de Villagra. After this battle, the Spanish believe that the conquest of Chile has been lost, leaving the city of Concepción. (467 years ago)
1552: February 9
In Chile, in a strategic site due to its proximity to the coastal port and its privileged position to dominate the river valleys currently called Calle-Calle and Cruces, and its good access to the plains, where La Unión and Río Bueno are currently located. In the place where the Indian population of Aintil was rising until now, the Spanish conqueror Pedro de Valdivia founded the city of Santa María la Blanca de Valdivia with seventy neighbors, creating a council and leaving the lawyer Julián Gutiérrez de Altamirano as mayor. and greater justice of the city. (469 years ago)
1541: September 11
At dawn in Chile and by surprise, the forces of the Aconcagua chief, Michimalonco, attack and destroy the recently founded city of Santiago de la Nueva Extremadura, today known as Santiago de Chile. Inés de Suárez, Pedro de Valdivia's lover, orders some imprisoned chiefs to be slaughtered, to intimidate the attackers. Many of the attackers flee in terror when victory was at hand. (480 years ago)
1541: February 12
After having reached the Mapocho Valley (present-day Chile) in December 1540 under the command of some 150 Spaniards, Pedro de Valdivia obtained peaceful collaboration from the indigenous tribes of the place and entrusted the builder Pedro de Gamboa with the design of a new city following the rules arranged in the Royal Decree of 1523 for the New World. Today, and once its layout was completed with the creation of the Plaza de Armas and the public buildings that surround it, Pedro de Valdivia founded the city of Santiago del Nuevo Extremo, future Santiago de Chile. (480 years ago)
1540: December 13
The Spaniard Pedro de Valdivia arrives in the Mapocho valley, current Santiago de Chile, and changes the name of the Huelén hill to the Santa Lucía hill, saint of the day. (481 years ago)
1520: November 20
The maritime expedition of Fernando de Magallanes, a Portuguese navigator in the service of Spain, crosses the strait that will bear his name. Despite the difficulties to cross it due to the convoluted coasts, at dawn on this day, the expedition sees snow-capped peaks to the east from the South Atlantic, thus discovering a territory that will eventually be called Chile. Diego de Almagro, considered the discoverer of Chile, will arrive by land sixteen years later in this beautiful region. (501 years ago)
1520: October 21
The Magellan fleet reaches a cape south of Patagonia that marks the strait that separates the South American continent from Tierra del Fuego. They have just discovered the passage to the west they are looking for. Later, and in his honor, this strait will bear his name. (501 years ago)
Outstanding births in Chile
1924: October 5
In Santiago, the Chilean capital, the short story writer and novelist José Donoso was born. It will be part of the so-called "Latin American boom". In his novels he will denounce the decadence of the high bourgeoisie. His 1958 novel "Coronation" will be a clear example. (97 years ago)
1917: October 4
Born in San Carlos (Chile), Violeta Parra, a versatile woman where they exist. In time she would become a Chilean singer, painter, sculptor, embroiderer and ceramicist. She will become the most important folklorist in her country and will be considered the founder of Chilean popular music. (104 years ago)
1914: September 5
In the Chilean town of San Fabián de Alico, Nicanor Segundo Parra Sandoval was born, a Chilean poet, mathematician and physicist whose work will have a profound influence on Latin American literature. It will be in 1937, with the publication of "Cancionero sin nombre" , when it stands out for its anti-hermetic style, in the context of a current that will advocate a return to expressive clarity. His work will include a score of poems, and several anthologies. (107 years ago)
1908: July 26
Born in Santiago de Chile, Salvador Allende, politician and constitutional president of Chile from 1970 until the coup d'état of 1973. (113 years ago)
1904: July 12
In Parral, Chile, Ricardo Eliécer Neftalí Reyes Basoalto was born, who will be better known as the poet Pablo Neruda, Nobel Prize for Literature in 1971 and author, among others, of "Twenty love poems and a desperate song . " (117 years ago)
1889: April 7
Gabriela Mistral, writer, was born in the town of Coquimbo (Chile), awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1945, making her the first Latin American writer to achieve such a precious award. (132 years ago)
1809: September 4
Born in Petorca (Chile) the one who will be the military and politician and Chilean president from 1851 to 1861, Manuel Montt. He will be minister on several occasions and will found, in 1843, the University of Santiago de Chile. When Bulnes leaves the presidency, he will have their support to occupy the high magistracy of the country. His triumph, supported by the conservatives of Llano and Santiago, will be answered by uprisings that will be repressed. Montt will begin to lead a new government, characterized by authoritarianism. During his tenure, he will activate the economy and culture, encourage European immigration, create new rail lines and, in 1855, promulgate the Civil Code. In 1858 he will be reelected as president, representing the National Party. A year later, the Copiapó rebellion broke out, which was again put down by Montt. His second term will end in 1861, the year in which he will leave power to José J. Pérez. He will preside, until his death in 1880, the Supreme Court of Justice. (212 years ago)
1778: August 20
In Chillán, Chile, Bernardo O'Higgins was born, a Chilean politician and military man, a key figure in the independence of his country who will be considered one of the Liberators of America. He will be captain general of the Chilean Army, brigadier of the United Provinces of the Río de la Plata, general of Gran Colombia and one of the main organizers of the Liberation Expedition of Peru. (243 years ago)
Deaths reported in Chile
2010: July 21
At 93 years of age, the Chilean politician and journalist Luis Corvalán Lépez, who was secretary general of the Communist Party of Chile for more than three decades, dies in Santiago de Chile. During the coup that overthrew President Salvador Allende in 1973, he was arrested and deported to the Ritoque and Tres Álamos concentration camp without being subjected to trial. (11 years ago)
1973: September 23
Twelve days after Pinochet's coup, which ended democracy and established terror in Chile, the poet Pablo Neruda dies in its capital, Santiago, being buried surrounded by soldiers with the silence of the Chilean people, who shout to the world your pain. Your home will be ransacked and your books burned. (48 years ago)
1973: September 16
In the stadium of Chile (Santiago de Chile), where thousands of opponents have been confined, as a result of the repression that follows the military coup of September 11 led by Augusto Pinochet, which overthrew the constitutional government of Salvador Allende, is Chilean singer-songwriter Victor Jara assassinated after being cruelly tortured. (48 years ago)
1967: February 5
Violeta Parra, a versatile woman, dies in Santiago de Chile as she was a Chilean singer, painter, sculptor, embroiderer and ceramist, the most important folklorist in her country and founder of Chilean popular music, author, among many other songs, of "Gracias to life." (54 years ago)
1948: January 2
In the Chilean town of Cartagena, Vicente García Huidobro dies, a Chilean poet, the initiator of "creationism" who gave his works an intelligent and innovative look. He is considered one of the greatest poets of his country, along with Gabriela Mistral, Pablo Neruda, Nicanor Parra and Pablo de Rokha. (73 years ago)
1946: June 27
In Santiago de Chile, Juan Antonio Ríos, president of the Republic of Chile since 1942, dies during the exercise of his position. (75 years ago)
1558: June 27
In the town of Cañete, present-day Chile, the "toqui" (caudillo or Mapuche military chief) Caupolicán, born in Pilmaiquén, dies impaled. During several campaigns he led the Mapuche army, a people that tried to resist the Spanish conquest of southern Chile, until it was finally captured in the Battle of Fort Tucapel. Taken prisoner, he is martyred by Alonso de Reinoso, chief of the town of Cañete, who today condemns him to die impaled. (463 years ago)
1557: April 29
In the battle of Peteroa, on the southern bank of the Mataquito River (present-day Chile), Lautaro, an Araucanian leader who, with his native army, acted in the form of guerrilla warfare against the Spanish conquerors, died. His head is taken to Santiago and exposed in a pillory placed in the Plaza de Armas as a lesson to the population. Today he is recognized as a national hero of Chile. (464 years ago)
1553: December 25
In Tucapel, present-day Chile, the Spanish military and conqueror Pedro de Valdivia, governor of Chile, died in an ambush organized by Caupolicán and Lautaro, leaders of the indigenous resistance that seemed already suffocated. (467 years ago)
