Militancy Day in Argentina

Every November 17 is celebrated as Militancy Day in Argentina (Día de la Militancia), a date set by Peronism to honor the day when its greatest exponent returned to the country after exile and to celebrate the participation of citizens in politics.

The event took place in 1972, after Juan Domingo Perón spent 17 years in exile. Upon his return, thousands of people turned out to welcome him, which is considered one of the most important mass mobilizations in the country's history.

During his presidency, Perón was overthrown in 1955, after the coup d'état led by the Armed Forces, which was called "Revolución Libertadora" (Liberating Revolution). A few days later, he had to seek exile in other countries, such as Paraguay, Panama, Nicaragua, Venezuela, Dominican Republic and, mostly, in Spain, where he married María Estela Martínez.

On August 15, Héctor Cámpora announced the return of Juan Domingo Perón to the country. Three months later, the Peronist leader sent a letter to the Argentine society, in which he called for peace, order and tranquility for his return.

The return of the former president required an exhaustive organization. In this context, on November 16, by order of Lanusse, extreme security measures were taken to guarantee a peaceful and orderly arrival of Perón.