South America’s Most Violent Volcanic Eruption Occurred in 1600

Today in Latin American history, the Peruvian stratovolcano Huaynaputina exploded in the most violent eruption in the recorded history of South America in 1600.

A few days before the eruption, someone reported booming noise from the volcano and fog-like gas being emitted from its crater. The locals scrambled to appease the volcano, preparing girls, pets, and flowers for sacrifice.

The eruption continued with a series of events into March.

In total, the volcano killed more than 1500 people, and ash buried ten villages.

Other events that occurred on this day:

Today in LatAm history, the Second Battle of Guararapes took place, effectively ending Dutch colonization efforts in Brazil in 1649

Today in LatAm history, former President of Mexico Alvaro Obregon who was in office 1920-24 was born in 1880

Today in LatAm history, Pedro Lascuráin became President of Mexico for 45 minutes; this is the shortest term to date of any person as president of any country in 1913

Today in LatAm history, pretender to the Brazilian throne Prince Pedro Gastão of Orléans-Braganza was born in 1913

Today in LatAm history, Mexican astronaut Rodolfo Neri Vela who was the second Latin American to go to Space was born in 1952

Today in LatAm history, current President of Argentina Cristina Fernández de Kirchner was born in 1953

Today in LatAm history, Brazilian footballer Sócrates who played for the National team & Corinthians was born in 1954

Today in LatAm history, Puerto Rican actor Benicio del Toro who won an Academy Award was born in 1967

Today in LatAm history, Dominican baseball player Miguel Batista who played for the Colorado Rockies was born in 1971

Today in LatAm history, Cuban baseball player Mike González who played for the St. Louis Cardinals died in 1977

Today in LatAm history, Peruvian-American rapper Immortal Technique was born in 1978

Today in LatAm history, a methane explosion in coal mine near Nueva Rosita, Mexico, kills 65 miners in 2006