The rockets began falling at 11:52 a.m., and with them, South America's oldest democracy.

The Day Chile's Democracy Died: Pinochet's Coup in Santiago

When Fighter Jets Bombed the Presidential Palace and a President Chose Death Over Surrender

On September 11, 1973, fighter jets bombed Chile's presidential palace as Allende refused to flee, ending democracy for 17 years.

At 7:55 a.m. on September 11, 1973, the first tanks rolled into position around La Moneda, Chile's elegant presidential palace. Inside, Salvador Allende — the world's first democratically elected Marxist head of state — stood at a window watching his democracy crumble.

The military had moved during the night. Naval officers in Valparaíso had seized the port at dawn. Army units blocked roads across Santiago. By breakfast, every radio station except one was broadcasting martial music and military communiqués. General Augusto Pinochet, who had pledged loyalty to Allende just days before, now commanded the coup from a bunker in Peñalolén.

Allende refused evacuation. When offered safe passage out of Chile, he famously replied that presidents do not flee. He had arrived at La Moneda wearing a sweater; an aide brought him a helmet. His daughter Beatriz loaded rifles beside him. Fewer than forty loyalists remained as thousands of soldiers surrounded the building.

At 11:52 a.m., two Hawker Hunter jets screamed over the palace. The first rocket punched through the northern facade. Then another. And another. Eighteen rockets in all tore through the building where Chilean democracy had live…

💡 The AK-47 found beside Allende's body was a personal gift from Fidel Castro, engraved with the words 'To my friend Salvador from Fidel.'