September 11th

Today has been an incredible low-key day for Chase and I. While September 11th is a day that will always be burned in our minds as Americans, Chase and I have come to find out that it also has significant meaning for Chileans.

On September 11, 1973 a military coup happened in Chile. Before the Coup there was a very strict Socialist government led by a man named Allende. He was highly influenced by the KGB of Russia, nationalizing banks, he also took over the coal, copper, iron, and steel industries in order to help fight a depression that had started in 1967. His methods did not work and he only made things worse in Chile.

Thus on September 11, a military coup led by General Pinochet bombed the Presidential palace where Allende committed suicide, which many people here think was funded by America. Thus marked the beginning of a very brutal rule for the next 20 years. In the first years of his rule people who did not agree with Pinochet were killed and many more tortured.

So now every September 11, mainly young Chileans get together and riot to celebrate their freedom. In many parts of the city they burn tires, riot and as the nightfall apparently shoot guns in the air in celebration. This mainly happens in the more lower class areas which thankfully aren’t close to us.

Needless to say Chase and I have chosen to lay low today and just stay put. We were supposed to teach but both of our students canceled, so we have decided to treat ourselves to nice a dinner only a block away and enjoy our down time.