Chilean Army Massacred 2,000 Protesting Miners in 1907

Today in Latin American history, the Chilean Army committed a massacre of at least 2,000 striking saltpeter miners in Iquique, Chile in 1907.

The striking nitrate miners descended on the northern port city of Iquique to demand better working conditions and higher salaries.  The massacre occurred at the Domingo Santa Maria School.

For decades afterward there was official suppression of knowledge of the incident, but in 2007 the government conducted a highly publicized commemoration of its centenary, including an official national day of mourning and the reinterment of the victims’ remains.

Other events that occurred on this day:

Today in LatAm history, the revolting Mapuche, led by cacique Pelentaru, inflicted a major defeat on Spanish troops in southern Chile in 1598

Today in LatAm history, American settlers in Nacogdoches, Mexican Texas, declared their independence, starting the Fredonian Rebellion in 1826

Today in LatAm history, Cuban ballerina Alicia Alonso who was also a choreographer was born in 1920

Today in LatAm history, Dominican baseball player Joaquín Andújar who pitched for the Houston Astros was born in 1952

Today in LatAm history, Costa Rican swimmer Claudia Poll who won the country’s first gold medal was born in 1972

Today in LatAm history, Uruguayan opera singer Erwin Schrott who starred in Mozart’s Don Giovanni was born in 1972

Today in LatAm history, Mexican volcano Popocatepetl which was dormant for 47 years, erupted gases and ash in 1994