History and Memory: April 2, 1957 Author: Pedro Milos

In April 1957, during the fifth year of Carlos Ibáñez del Campo's presidency, Chile was rocked by a series of social protests in reaction to an increase in urban transportation fares. The first movements occurred in Valparaíso, then spread to Concepción and Santiago, where they reached their greatest magnitude, becoming one of the most significant popular movements of the 20th century.

Incomprehensible at the time. The movement left almost all political actors without a response. Only the extremely violent reaction of the government could quell the force of the outburst.

Despite the intensity, violence, and the large number of dead and wounded, the events of 1957 did not have major institutional repercussions. Over time, these events, while remaining alive in the memory of their protagonists, fell into “historiographical oblivion.”.