Allende, who was a surgeon and politician, won elections on September 4, 1970, with 36.6 percent of the votes over former President Jorge Alessandri, of the Partido Nacional (National Party-PN), and Radomiro Tomic, nominated by the Christian Democrats (DC).

In his address to the nation, Allende thanked the men and women, the activists of the popular parties, and members of the social forces who made the victory possible.

Important transformations, such as the nationalization of copper, the deepening of land reform, the demand for a half-liter of milk a day to put an end to child malnutrition, and the universalization of healthcare, took place in the country during his administration.

The UP government was overthrown on September 11, 1973, by a bloody coup d’etat that subjected Chile to 17 years of dictatorship.

This Thursday, the Communist Party and Youth will pay tribute to Allende with the traditional march from La Alameda Avenue to the monument built in his honor at the Constitution Square.

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