Additionally, his socialist ideology and friendship with Fidel Castro had worried the Nixon Administration who thought that Allende might nationalize many of the U.S. holdings and business interests in Chile. Subsequently, Nixon openly supported Allende's opponents and secretly ordered the CIA to oppose Allende. After the Chilean Congress approved Allende as President (required since no candidate had won a popular majority), he assumed office on November 3, 1970. Tune in next week to learn President Allende's fate and how the results led to the military dictatorship for nearly 17 years under General Augusto Pinochet.

Wednesday, Sept 07 Brazil Independence Day (from Portugal 1822). Napoleon's occupation of Portugal had given the taste of independence to many Brazilians and in January 1822 when Portuguese Royalists and Brazilian separatists disagreed over control of government, the tension broke into open conflict. The nationalists, led by de-facto King of Brazil Dom Pedro I, succeeded in a relatively bloodless revolution and drove the Portuguese troops from Rio de Janeiro. With the help of British Admiral Thomas Cochrane (who had helped liberate Chile from Spain), Pedro consolidated power in outlying areas like Sao Paulo, Recife, and Salvador. On September 7, Pedro tore the Portuguese insignia from his uniform, drew his sword, and swore in the presence of his guard of honor: "It is time! Independence or Death! We are separated from Portugal". Those words constituted Brazil's declaration of independence and Pedro would go on to serve as the first Brazilian leader until he turned power over to his son in 1831.

Wednesday, Sept 07 U.S. Agrees to Return Panama Canal to Panama (1977). President Jimmy Carter and Panamanian President Omar Torrijos signed the Panama Canal Treaty and Neutrality Treaty on September 7, 1977. This agreement relinquished American control over the canal by the year 2000 in return for a guarantee of neutrality of the Canal. U.S. control of the Panama Canal had lasted since May 4, 1904 when Panama granted the United States the right to build and operate the canal and control the five miles of land on either side of the water passage in exchange for annual payments. The treaty was controversial in the U.S. Senate where conservatives accused the President of abandoning U.S. interests in this strategically vital area. However, the treaty was eventually ratified by both houses of the U.S. Congress and on December 31, 1999 the United States turned control of the Panama Canal over to Panama.

Wednesday, Sept 07 Assassination attempt against Chilean General Pinochet (1986). Members of the Manuel Rodriguez Patriotic Front (FPMR) attempted to assassinate military dictator Augusto Pinochet on this day in 1986. Pinochet, returning from a visit to the countryside with one of his grandsons, was traveling in a convoy of five vehicles with a total of 19 bodyguards and personal assistants. At a narrow stretch of the highway near Puente Alto, 21 insurgents opened fire on the convoy using rockets, grenades, and small arms. Two FPMR vehicles blocked the road in front and back of Pinochet to prevent his escape. Pinochet's armored vehicle received a direct hit from a rocket but the explosive failed to explode. Pinochet's chauffeur, Chilean Army Corporal Oscar Carvajal, was able to maneuver the General's Mercedes Benz into reverse and despite striking the guardrail and an insurgent vehicle numerous times, was able to flee the scene of attack. Five of Pinochet's bodyguards died in the attack.

Saturday, Sept 10 El Salvador Kidnapping of President Duarte's Daughter by Leftist Guerrillas (1985). Abducted with a friend as they entered a university, Ines Guadalupe Duarte was held for 44 days in a rebel-controlled zone north of the capital. Her release was arranged in return for the liberation of 22 political prisoners and safe passage for 96 other wounded rebels out of the country. Not all the events of the El Salvador Civil War ended so amicably; at least 70,000 people lost their lives in killings and bombing raids waged against rebels throughout the countryside. The war lasted from 1980 until the UN-brokered Peace Accords went into effect in 1992.

Information collated by Professor Pat Paterson, CHDS. Comments are welcome by email to Patrick.paterson@ndu.edu.