History of Argentina in Timeline

Argentina is a country located in the southern half of South America. It is the second-largest country in South America and the eighth-largest in the world. Argentina is a federal state subdivided into twenty-three provinces and one autonomous city, Buenos Aires, which is the capital. It shares borders with Chile, Bolivia, Paraguay, Brazil, and Uruguay. Argentina claims sovereignty over the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, and a part of Antarctica.

1904: Argentina's presence in Antarctica

Argentina has the world's oldest continuous state presence in Antarctica since 1904.

1904: Foundation of La Voz del Interior

In 1904, the centre newspaper La Voz del Interior was founded.

1908: Argentina's Wealth

By 1908, Argentina had become the seventh wealthiest developed nation in the world.

1910: Wheat Exports

From 1870 to 1910, Argentina's wheat exports went from 100,000 to 2,500,000 t per year.

1912: Periods of democracy

Argentina had periods of democracy from 1912-1930.

1912: Enactment of universal male suffrage

In 1912, President Roque Sáenz Peña enacted universal and secret male suffrage.

1913: Wealthiest countries in the world

In 1913, Argentina was one of the wealthiest countries in the world, measured by GDP per capita.

1916: Election of Hipólito Yrigoyen

In 1916, Hipólito Yrigoyen, leader of the Radical Civic Union, won the election.

1916: 1916 elections

In 1916, the National Autonomist Party's dominance ended following the elections.

1917: First animated feature films

In 1917, the world's first animated feature films were made and released in Argentina, by cartoonist Quirino Cristiani.

1918: First animated feature films

In 1918, the world's first animated feature films were made and released in Argentina, by cartoonist Quirino Cristiani.

August 1920: First Radio Broadcasting

On 27 August 1920, Argentina began the world's first regular radio broadcasting when Richard Wagner's Parsifal was aired.

1920: Argentina's per capita income

Between 1862 and 1920, Argentina's per capita income went from 67% of developed country levels to 100%.

1930: First coup d'état

In 1930, José Félix Uriburu led the first coup d'état, marking the beginning of the "Infamous Decade".

1930: Yrigoyen ousted from power

In 1930, Yrigoyen was ousted from power by the military led by José Félix Uriburu, marking the start of the country's economic decline.

1930: Political turmoil

Starting in 1930, Argentina experienced significant political turmoil and democratic reversals. Between 1930 and 1976, the armed forces overthrew six governments.

1930: Golden age of tango

The golden age of tango began in 1930, mirroring the popularity of jazz and swing in the United States.

1943: Military coup d'état

In 1943, a military coup d'état led by General Arturo Rawson toppled the democratically elected government of Ramón Castillo.

1943: More coups

In 1943, there was another coup d'état as part of the "Infamous Decade".

1944: Juan Perón named defence minister

In 1944, Juan Perón was named defence minister.

March 1945: Argentina declared war on the Axis Powers

In March 1945, Argentina declared war on the Axis Powers.

1945: Perón forced to resign and arrested

In 1945, Perón was forced to resign and was arrested, later released due to pressure.

1946: Periods of democracy

Argentina had periods of democracy from 1946-1955.

1946: The Madí Movement

In 1946, Gyula Košice and others created The Madí Movement in Argentina, which later spread internationally.

1946: Rise of Juan Perón

In 1946, Juan Perón rose to the presidency, marking the rise of the Labour Party.

1946: Perón became president

In 1946, Perón became president after a victory over the UCR.

1947: Bernardo Houssay Nobel Prize

In 1947, Bernardo Houssay shared the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for discovering the role of pituitary hormones in regulating glucose in animals.

1947: Women's suffrage enacted

In 1947, Congress enacted women's suffrage.

1948: Infant mortality and life expectancy

In 1948, infant mortality was 70 per 1000 live births, and life expectancy at birth was 60 years.

1950: Basketball World Cup

Argentina hosted the Basketball World Cup in 1950.

1950: Economy began to decline

In 1950, the economy began to decline due to government expenditures and protectionist economic policies.

1951: La Pampa and Chaco became provinces

In 1951, La Pampa and Chaco became provinces in Argentina.

1951: Perón re-elected

In 1951, Perón managed to get re-elected.

1952: Death of Eva Perón

In 1952, Eva Perón died of cancer.

1953: Mortality Patterns

From 1953, deaths from cardiovascular disease increased from 20% of the total. Infant deaths accounted for 19% of all deaths.

1953: Misiones became provinces

In 1953, Misiones became provinces.

1955: Nuevo Tango Popularization

After 1955, Astor Piazzolla popularized Nuevo tango, a subtler and more intellectual trend for the genre.

1955: Periods of democracy

Argentina had periods of democracy from 1946-1955.

1955: Arrest of Cipriano Reyes

In 1955, Cipriano Reyes, the meat-packers union leader, was arrested on charges of terrorism.

1955: Formosa, Neuquén, Río Negro, Chubut and Santa Cruz became provinces

In 1955, Formosa, Neuquén, Río Negro, Chubut and Santa Cruz became provinces.

1955: Bombing of Plaza de Mayo

In 1955, individual cases of state-sponsored terrorism against Peronism and the left can be traced back to the Bombing of Plaza de Mayo.

1955: Bombing of the Plaza de Mayo and Perón's Deposition

In 1955, the Navy bombed the Plaza de Mayo, and a few months later, Perón was deposed during the Liberating Revolution coup.

1955: More coups

In 1955, there was another coup d'état.

1957: First research reactor

In 1957 Argentina was the first country in Latin America to design and build a research reactor with homegrown technology, the RA-1 Enrico Fermi.

1958: Arturo Frondizi won the general election

In 1958, Arturo Frondizi from the UCR won the general election.

1960: Climate change in Argentina

Since 1960, the highest increases in precipitation have occurred in the eastern parts of Argentina.

1961: Antarctic Treaty

In 1961, Argentina became a founding signatory of the Antarctic Treaty.

1962: More coups

In 1962, there was another coup d'état.

1963: Arturo Illia was elected

In 1963, Arturo Illia was elected and led an increase in prosperity.

1966: Military coup led by General Juan Carlos Onganía

In 1966, Arturo Illia was overthrown by another military coup d'état led by General Juan Carlos Onganía.

1966: More coups

In 1966, there was another coup d'état.

1969: Domingo Liotta's artificial heart

In 1969, Domingo Liotta designed and developed the first artificial heart that was successfully implanted in a human being.

1969: Popular Discontent

In 1969, popular discontent led to two massive protests: the Cordobazo and the Rosariazo.

1969: Targeting of trade unionists

In 1969, trade unionists were targeted for assassination by Peronist and Marxist paramilitaries.

1970: Luis Leloir Nobel Prize

In 1970, Luis Leloir received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for discovering how organisms store energy converting glucose into glycogen.

1971: Alejandro Agustín Lanusse appointed president

In 1971, Alejandro Agustín Lanusse was appointed president by the military junta.

1972: Trelew massacre

In 1972, the Trelew massacre occurred.

March 1973: Cámpora Won the Election

In March 1973, Cámpora won the election, issued pardons for condemned guerrilla members, and then secured Perón's return from his exile in Spain.

May 1973: Hector Cámpora took office

In May 1973, Hector Cámpora, Perón's surrogate candidate, took office.

July 1973: Resignation of Cámpora and Lima

In July 1973, Cámpora and Vice President Vicente Solano Lima resigned, calling for new elections.

September 1973: Election of Perón with Isabel as vice-president

In September 1973, Perón won the election with his third wife Isabel as vice-president.

1973: Periods of democracy

Argentina had periods of democracy from 1973-1976.

1973: Railway system transport

By 1991 Argentina's railway system was transporting 1,400 times less goods than it did in 1973.

1973: Actions of the Argentine Anticommunist Alliance

In 1973, the actions of the Argentine Anticommunist Alliance commenced.

July 1974: Death of Perón

In July 1974, Perón died and was succeeded by his wife, Isabel.

1974: First nuclear power plant

In 1974, Argentina was the first country in Latin America to put in-line a commercial nuclear power plant, Atucha I.

1974: Death of President Juan Perón

In 1974, President Juan Perón died, leading to his vice president, Isabel Perón, ascending to the presidency.

1975: Isabel Perón's "annihilation decrees"

In 1975, Isabel Perón issued "annihilation decrees" against left-wing guerrillas during Operativo Independencia.

1976: Political turmoil

Between 1930 and 1976, the armed forces overthrew six governments.

1976: Ousting of Isabel Perón

In 1976, Isabel Perón was ousted by the military.

1976: Proceso Begins

In 1976, the Montoneros had lost nearly 2,000 members.

1977: ERP subdued

In 1977, the ERP was completely subdued.

1978: World Cup Win

In 1978, the Argentine men's national football team won the World Cup.

1979: Counterattack by Montoneros

In 1979, the severely weakened Montoneros launched a counterattack, which was quickly put down.

1980: World Team Cup Win

Argentina won the World Team Cup in 1980.

1981: Davis Cup Finals against the United States

The Argentine team reached the semifinals of the Davis Cup and played the final in 1981, where they lost against the United States.

March 1982: Argentine force took control of South Georgia

In March 1982, an Argentine force took control of the British territory of South Georgia.

1983: Transition to democracy

Following a transition that began in 1983, full-scale democracy in Argentina was reestablished.

1983: Capability of producing weapon-grade uranium

In 1983, Argentina admitted having the capability of producing weapon-grade uranium.

1983: Election of Raúl Alfonsín

In 1983, Raúl Alfonsín was elected as president, marking the end of the Dirty War.

1983: Alfonsín won elections, promising human rights trials

In 1983, Raúl Alfonsín won the presidential elections, campaigning on a platform of prosecuting those responsible for human rights violations during the Proceso.

1983: Embalse Nuclear power stations

The Embalse nuclear power stations, finished in 1983, employed a higher percentage of Argentine-built components.

1984: César Milstein Nobel Prize

In 1984, César Milstein shared the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his extensive research in antibodies.

1985: Academy Award for The Official Story

In 1985, The Official Story won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.

1986: World Cup Win

In 1986, the Argentine men's national football team won the World Cup.

1987: Foundation of Página/12

In 1987, the leftist newspaper Página/12 was founded.

1989: Menem won the election

In 1989, Carlos Menem won the presidential election amid a worsening economic crisis and hyperinflation that reduced Alfonsín's popular support, ultimately leading to Alfonsín's early resignation.

1990: Basketball World Cup

Argentina hosted the Basketball World Cup in 1990.

1990: LUSAT-1

In 1990, Argentina launched the LUSAT-1 satellite.

1990: Argentina forest cover

In 1990, Argentina's forest cover was 35,204,000 hectares.

1990: Tierra del Fuego became a province

In 1990, Tierra del Fuego became the Tierra del Fuego, Antártida e Islas del Atlántico Sur Province.

1991: Railway decline

By 1991 Argentina's railway system was transporting 1,400 times less goods than it did in 1973.

1991: CONAE established

Established in 1991, the CONAE has since launched two satellites successfully.

1991: Argentina sent warships to the Gulf War

In 1991, Argentina sent warships and cargo planes to the Gulf War under UN mandate.

1994: Constitutional Amendment allowed Menem's re-election

In 1994, a Constitutional Amendment was passed, allowing Carlos Menem to be elected for a second presidential term.

1994: Air Force provided the UN Air contingent

Since 1994 Argentina Air Force provided the UN Air contingent.

1995: Economy began to decline

In 1995, the Argentine economy began to decline, marked by increasing unemployment and recession.

1996: Victor-1

In 1996, Argentina launched the Víctor-1 satellite.

1998: Major non-NATO ally

Argentina is a Major non-NATO ally since 1998.

1999: De la Rúa returned UCR to presidency

In 1999, Fernando de la Rúa, leading the UCR, won the presidential elections and returned the party to the presidency.

1999: Cable and satellite television

Since 1999 Argentines enjoy the highest availability of cable and satellite television in Latin America.

December 2001: December 2001 Riots and De la Rúa's Resignation

In December 2001, massive riots forced President De la Rúa to resign due to the worsening economic crisis and social discontent.

2001: Democracy endured

Argentina's democracy endured through the 2001–02 crisis.

2002: World Team Cup Win

Argentina won the World Team Cup in 2002.

2002: Registered Radio Stations

By 2002 there were 260 AM and 1150 FM registered radio stations in the country.

2002: Economic crisis

By late 2002, the economic crisis began to recede, but the assassination of two piqueteros by the police caused political unrest, prompting Duhalde to move elections forward.

2002: Latin American integration

Since 2002 the country has emphasized its key role in Latin American integration

2002: Income distribution improved since 2002

Since 2002, income distribution in Argentina improved, although it is still considerably unequal.

May 2003: Néstor Kirchner was sworn in as president

On May 26, 2003, Néstor Kirchner was sworn in as the new president of Argentina.

2004: Road infrastructure

By 2004 Buenos Aires and all other provincial capitals were interconnected by 69,412 km of paved roads.

2004: Highest poverty rate since 2004

In January 2024, Argentina's poverty rate reached 57.4%, the highest poverty rate in the country since 2004.

2005: Mortality Patterns

By 2005, deaths from cardiovascular disease increased to 23% of the total, those from tumors to 20%, and respiratory problems to 14%. Infant deaths had fallen to 3% of all deaths.

2006: Argentina ranked fourth in Latin America

In 2006, Argentina ranked fourth in Latin America regarding infant mortality and life expectancy.

2006: Davis Cup Finals against Russia

The Argentine team reached the semifinals of the Davis Cup, losing the finals against Russia in 2006.

2007: World Team Cup Win

Argentina won the World Team Cup in 2007.

2007: Los Pumas achieve highest-ever result

In 2007, 'Los Pumas' achieved their highest-ever result at the Rugby World Cup, coming third.

2007: PEHUENSAT-1

In 2007, Argentina launched the PEHUENSAT-1 satellite.

2007: Assistance sent to Bolivia

In 2007, Argentina sent aid to Bolivia to help with floods.

2007: Cristina Kirchner won elections

In 2007, Cristina Kirchner won the presidential election, succeeding her husband, Néstor Kirchner.

2008: CONICET poll on religious beliefs

According to a 2008 CONICET poll, 76.5% of Argentines were Catholic, 11.3% were Agnostics and Atheists, 9% were Evangelical Protestants, 1.2% were Jehovah's Witnesses, and 0.9% were Mormons, with 1.2% following other religions.

2008: Largest railway system in Latin America

In 2008, Argentina had the largest railway system in Latin America, with 36,966 km of operating lines.

2008: Davis Cup Finals against Spain

The Argentine team reached the semifinals of the Davis Cup, losing the finals against Spain in 2008.

June 2009: Agreement with the European Space Agency

In June 2009, Argentina secured an agreement with the European Space Agency for the installation of a 35-m diametre antenna.

2009: Victor Galindez record

As of 2009, Víctor Galíndez held the record for consecutive world light heavyweight title defenses.

2009: Infant mortality and life expectancy

By 2009, infant mortality had decreased to 12.1 per 1000 live births, and life expectancy at birth had increased to 76 years.

2009: Academy Award for The Secret in Their Eyes

In 2009, The Secret in Their Eyes won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.

2009: Los Jaguares in Americas Rugby Championship

Since 2009 the secondary men's national team known as the 'Jaguares' has competed against the US, Canada, and Uruguay first teams in the Americas Rugby Championship

2010: Genetic ancestry

A 2010 study established that the average genetic ancestry of Argentines is 79% European, 18% indigenous and 4.3% African.

2010: World Team Cup Win

Argentina won the World Team Cup in 2010.

2010: Humanitarian responses

In 2010 the Armed Forces were also involved in Haiti and Chile humanitarian responses after their respective earthquakes.

2010: University Graduates

In 2010, 7.1% of people over age 20 had graduated from university.

2010: Legalized same-sex marriage

In 2010, Argentina became the first country in Latin America to legalize same-sex marriage.

2010: Population

In 2010, Argentina had a population of 40,117,096.

2010: Climate change in Argentina

Up to 2010, Argentina experienced a change in the climate with regards to precipitation patterns and temperatures.

2011: Networked Telecommunications Coverage

By 2011 Argentina had the highest coverage of networked telecommunications among Latin American powers with 67% internet access.

2011: Defence budget

In 2011 the defence budget in Argentina was only about 0.74% of GDP, a historical minimum, below the Latin American average.

2011: Production growth rate of 6.5%

In 2011, Argentina's manufacturing sector experienced a 6.5% production growth rate.

2011: Bérénice Bejo nomination

In 2011, Argentine French actress Bérénice Bejo received a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.

2011: Cristina Kirchner won elections again

In 2011, Cristina Kirchner won the presidential election again, securing a second term.

2011: Atucha II reactor finished

The 2011 Atucha II reactor employed 40% Argentine-built components.

2011: Davis Cup Finals against Spain

The Argentine team reached the semifinals of the Davis Cup, losing the finals against Spain in 2011.

2012: Waterways

In 2012 there were about 11,000 km of waterways.

2012: Argentina elected to United Nations Security Council

In 2012, Argentina was elected again to a two-year non-permanent position on the United Nations Security Council.

2012: Manufacturing accounted for 20.3% of GDP

In 2012, manufacturing accounted for 20.3% of Argentina's GDP, the largest sector in the nation's economy.

2012: Revenues from international tourists reached US$4.89 billion

In 2012, revenues from international tourists reached US$4.89 billion.

2012: Los Pumas in The Rugby Championship

Since 2012, the Los Pumas have competed in The Rugby Championship.

March 2013: Election of Pope Francis

On 13 March 2013, Argentine Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected Bishop of Rome and Supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church, taking the name "Francis".

2013: 314 Industrial Parks

As of 2013, Argentina had a steadily growing network of 314 industrial parks.

2013: Airports

In 2013 there were 161 airports with paved runways out of more than a thousand.

2013: Top destination in South America

In 2013, Argentina had 5.57 million visitors, ranking as the top tourist destination in South America.

2013: Full-length motion pictures created annually

In 2013, about 100 full-length motion pictures were being created annually in Argentina.

2013: Up-River port region

In 2013, the Up-River port region accounted for 50% of all Argentina's exports.

2013: National Public Universities

in 2013 there were 47 national public universities across the country, as well as 46 private ones.

2014: Cable and satellite television

As of 2014, cable and satellite television reached 87.4% of the country's households.

2014: Chamber of Deputies

As of 2014, the Buenos Aires Province has 70 deputies.

2014: Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay

In 2014, Armando Bó and Nicolás Giacobone shared in the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.

2014: Improvement in Corruption Perceptions Index

In 2017, Argentina ranked 85th in the Corruption Perceptions Index, an improvement of 22 positions over its 2014 ranking.

April 2015: Re-nationalizing the country's railways

In April 2015, the Argentine Senate passed a law which re-created Ferrocarriles Argentinos, effectively re-nationalizing the country's railways.

November 2015: Macri won first ballotage

On November 22, 2015, Mauricio Macri won the first ballotage in Argentina's history, becoming president-elect after beating Daniel Scioli.

December 2015: Macri took office

On December 10, 2015, Mauricio Macri took office as president, inheriting an economy with high inflation and in poor shape.

2015: Forest ownership

For the year 2015, 0% of the forest area was reported to be under public ownership, 4% private ownership and 96% with ownership listed as other or unknown.

April 2016: Macri government introduced austerity measures

In April 2016, the Macri government introduced neoliberal austerity measures aimed at tackling inflation and public deficits.

2016: Debt default crisis settled

In 2016, Argentina settled its long-standing debt default crisis with vulture funds.

2016: Davis Cup Win

The Argentine national squad won the 2016 Davis Cup.

2017: Rugby World Cup competition

As of 2017, the men's national rugby team, 'Los Pumas', has competed at the Rugby World Cup each time it has been held.

2017: Annual inflation rate of 24.8%

In 2017, Argentina experienced a high annual inflation rate of 24.8%.

2017: 85th in Corruption Perceptions Index

In 2017, Argentina ranked 85th out of 180 countries in Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index.

2017: Religious beliefs change

In 2017, data indicated that Catholics made up 66% of the population, a drop of 10.5% in nine years, while the nonreligious stood at 21% of the population, an almost doubling over the same period.

2017: Loss of submarine

The accidental loss of the Argentine submarine San Juan in 2017.

2018: Forest Landscape Integrity Index score

Argentina had a 2018 Forest Landscape Integrity Index mean score of 7.21/10, ranking it 47th globally out of 172 countries.

December 2019: Fernández and Kirchner took office

In December 2019, Alberto Fernández and vice president Cristina Kirchner took office amidst accusations of corruption during the Kirchner presidencies.

2019: 4th world producer of beef

In 2019, Argentina was the 4th world producer of beef, with a production of 3 million tons.

2019: Macri lost re-election

In 2019, Mauricio Macri ran for re-election but lost to Alberto Fernández, the Justicialist Party candidate.

May 2020: Government defaulted

On May 22, 2020, the government of Argentina defaulted by failing to pay a $500 million bill to its creditors.

2020: Forest cover in Argentina

In 2020, forest cover in Argentina was around 10% of the total land area, equivalent to 28,573,000 hectares.

2020: Electricity sources

In 2020, more than 60% of Argentina's electricity came from non-renewable sources.

November 2021: Ruling Peronist party lost majority in Congress

In November 2021, the ruling Peronist party, Frente de Todos, lost its majority in Congress for the first time in almost 40 years during midterm legislative elections.

2021: Installed hydroelectric power

At the end of 2021 Argentina was the 21st country in the world in terms of installed hydroelectric power.

2021: Dual carriageways

In 2021, the country had about 2,800 km of dual carriageways.

January 2022: OECD candidate country

Argentina is an OECD candidate country since January 2022.

2022: World Cup Win

In 2022, the Argentine men's national football team won the World Cup.

2022: Russian invasion of Ukraine

In 2022, the Russian invasion of Ukraine led to more than 18,500 Russians immigrating to Argentina by July 2023.

April 2023: Fernández announced he would not seek re-election

In April 2023, President Alberto Fernández announced that he would not seek re-election in the next presidential election.

July 2023: Russian immigration

As of July 2023, more than 18,500 Russians have immigrated to Argentina following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

November 2023: Milei won presidential election run-off

In November 2023, Javier Milei won the presidential election run-off with 55.7% of the vote.

December 2023: Milei's presidency began

Milei's presidency began on December 10, 2023.

2023: Argentina was most electoral democratic country

According to the V-Dem Democracy indices, Argentina in 2023 was the second most electoral democratic country in Latin America.

2023: Annual inflation rate of 211%

In 2023, Argentina's annual inflation rate was 211%.

2023: Inflation reached 102.5%

In 2023, Argentina's inflation rate reached 102.5%, among the highest in the world.

January 2024: Poverty rate reached 57.4%

In January 2024, Argentina's poverty rate reached 57.4%, the highest poverty rate in the country since 2004.

November 2024: Inflation slows to 2.4%

In November 2024, Argentina's monthly inflation rate slowed to 2.4%, the lowest in over four years.

2024: 76th in the Global Innovation Index

Argentina was ranked 76th in the Global Innovation Index in 2024.

2025: Expected economic recovery

Favorable results and normalization in Argentina’s economy are expected to continue in 2025, with annual inflation below 30% and economic activity expanding by more than 4%.