The Day of Remembrance for Truth and Justice in Argentina

1 Truth and Justice Day is an important day of the year for Argentina. You can’t truly appreciate
Argentina’s stunning landscapes and rich culture without first understanding the hidden history behind
its Truth and Justice Day.

What is Truth and Justice Day?

2 Truth and Justice Day, or el Día Nacional de la Memoria por la Verdad y la Justicia, is a national holiday in
Argentina. It occurs on March 24 each year since this day marks the anniversary of the coup d’état of
1976, the day a right-winged military regime took over Argentina.

3 The regime controlled Argentina for 7 years and resulted in over 30,000 disappearances and dozens of
other atrocities. Truth and Justice Day is dedicated to remembering those impacted by the murders,
violence, and tortures carried out by the military dictatorship.

4 Once a year, Argentineans flock to the streets for peaceful rallies and marches to honour their lost
loved ones. They often carry their photographs with them and make calls for continued investigation
into the disappearances.

The Dirty War

5 The Dirty War, or La Guerra Sucia, began when Argentinian president Isabel Perón was overthrown on
March 24, 1976. Lieut. Gen. Jorge Rafaél Videla took over and led the National Reorganization Process to
power through this coup d’état.

6 This military junta was financially backed by the United States as part of Operation Condor. Operation
Condor was a political repression campaign whose mission was to use warfare tactics to eliminate
communism in the southern cone of South America during the Cold War

7 The operation used military forces and right-wing death squads to form the Argentine Anticommunist
Alliance. The alliance imposed national censorship, put the state and municipal governments under
military control, and closed the National Congress.

8 The 7 years this dictatorship was in power became known as the Dirty War since it was filled with state
terrorism that attacked, kidnapped, tortured and killed left-wing guerrillas, socialists, journalists,
students, unionists, and other political groups. The military dictatorship also prohibited many books,
magazines, songs, plays and movies, and also persecuted artists. Anyone thought to pose even a slight
risk or opposition to the military junta was eliminated.

9 Children of opposent families were taken from their parents and given to military families instead.
Around 30,000 are estimated to have disappeared with this violence, but the true number remains
unknown as most government documents and records were destroyed by those in power.

10 The Dirty War finally ended in 1983 with a democratic election to choose a new president.

https://www.spanish.academy/blog/the-day-of-remembrance-for-truth-and-justice-in-argentina/
 ACTIVITY

1) Find 5 transparent words.

………………………… ……………………………… …………………………… ……………………………… ………………………………..

2) Match the highlighted words with the right definition.

a. to take a person away illegally by force. 1) coup d'état

b. supporting the political left; relating to the belief that wealth and power 2) dictatorship
should be shared between all parts of society. 3) left-wing
c. a sudden illegal, often violent, taking of government power, especially by part of an army 4) kidnapped

d. Total or partial rejection of a publication for moral, political or religious reasons. 5) right-wing

e. A country ruled by a dictator, or the government of such a country.

f. supporting the political right. People with conservative political views. 6) censorship

3) Correct the sentences with information from the text.

1. Argentineans stay at home to honour the victims of the state terrorism.

2. The Dirty war lasted 5 years.

3. Around 10,000 are estimated to have disappeared.

4. The left-wing party prohibited books, songs, magazines, films, and artists.

4) do you think is important to remember the The Day of Remembrance for Truth and Justice? Why?

ACTIVITY

1) Find 5 transparent words.

………………………… ……………………………… …………………………… ……………………………… ………………………………..

2) Match the highlighted words with the right definition.

a. to take a person away illegally by force. 1) coup d'état

b. supporting the political left; relating to the belief that wealth and power 2) dictatorship
should be shared between all parts of society. 3) left-wing
c. a sudden illegal, often violent, taking of government power, especially by part of an army 4) kidnapped

d. Total or partial rejection of a publication for moral, political or religious reasons. 5) right-wing

e. A country ruled by a dictator, or the government of such a country.

f. supporting the political right. People with conservative political views. 6) censorship

3) Correct the sentences with information from the text.

1. Argentineans stay at home to honour the victims of the state terrorism.

2. The Dirty war lasted 5 years.

3. Around 10,000 are estimated to have disappeared.

4. The left-wing party prohibited books, songs, magazines, films, and artists.

4) do you think is important to remember the The Day of Remembrance for Truth and Justice? Why?