Día Nacional de la Memoria por la Verdad y la Justicia, which translates to the National Day of Memory for Truth and Justice, is an annual public holiday in Argentina observed on March 24th. This day is a solemn commemoration of the victims of the military dictatorship that ruled Argentina from 1976 to 1983. The holiday is a reminder of the country's troubled past and serves as a call for continued efforts to promote human rights and social justice.
The history of Día Nacional de la Memoria por la Verdad y la Justicia dates back to March 24th, 1976, when a military junta led by General Jorge Rafael Videla overthrew the democratically elected government of Argentina. This marked the beginning of a dark period in the country's history, during which tens of thousands of people were kidnapped, tortured, and murdered by the government's security forces.
The military dictatorship's regime was characterized by systematic violations of human rights, including forced disappearances, extrajudicial executions, and illegal detentions. These atrocities were carried out under the guise of fighting communism and left-wing terrorism. The regime's brutal tactics were aimed at silencing political opposition and creating a climate of fear in society.
The end of the military dictatorship came in 1983 when the country returned to democracy. However, the legacy of the regime's human rights abuses lived on. Families of the victims continued to demand justice and accountability for the crimes committed by the dictatorship's security forces. It was these efforts that led to the establishment of Día Nacional de la Memoria por la Verdad y la Justicia.