In 1501 Italian Amerigo Vespucci sailed to South America. A map published in 1507 named the continent America after him. Spanish navigator Juan Diaz de Solis stoped at what is now Argentina in 1516. It was in 1536 when Spanish Pedro de Mendoza founded "Puerto de Santa Maria del Buen Aires" a colony on the location of Buenos Aires, but had to be abandoned in 1537. On June 11th 1580, Spanish Juan de Garay finally founded the city of "De la Santisima Trinidad", but the people continued calling the place as "Puerto de los Buenos Aires". In addition, Spain attached the territory into their empire succeeding the founding of the Vice-Royalty of Rio de la Plata in 1776, and Buenos Aires became a thriving port.

On May 25th 1810, the South America colonies established their own government. In 1813, a General Assembly abolished Slavism. After had leading the country to officially declared independence from Spain on July 9, 1816, Gen. Jose de San Martin contributed to the national independence in Chile and Peru.

Following the independence, centralist and federalist groups engaged in a drawn-out discord to settle the future structure of the nation. National unity was established and the constitution declared in 1853.

The introduction of modern agricultural techniques and the integration of Argentina into the world economy brought together the modern Argentine nation late in the 19th century. Foreign investment and immigration from Europe helped this economic revolution. The investment, principally British, came in such areas as railroads and ports. The migrants who labored to develop Argentina's resources came from throughout Europe, but mostly from Italy and Spain.

Political Views

In the half century following 1880, Argentina made remarkable economic and social progress. During the first decade of the 20th century the country emerged as one of the leading nations of South America. It began to figure prominently in hemispheric affairs and, in 1914, helped to mediate a serious dispute between the United States and Mexico. Argentina remained neutral during World War I (1914-1918) but played a major role as supplier of foodstuffs to the Allies.

Conservative forces commanded Argentine politics until 1916, when their traditional opponent, the Radical Party, won the elections. The Argentine military forced aged Radical President Hipolito Yrigoyen from power in 1930 and lead in another decade of Conservative rule.

Economic conditions improved substantially during the administration of General Augustín Justo, but political turbulence intensified, culminating in an unsuccessful Radical uprising in 1933 and 1934. In May 1936, the Argentine right-wing parties united in a so-called National Front. This organization, successfully supported the finance minister, Roberto M. Ortiz, for the presidency, who took vigorous steps to strengthen democracy in Argentina. President Ortiz proclaimed neutrality after the outbreak of World War II in 1939.

Vice President Castillo was removed from office one year later by a military group headed by General Arturo Rawson. On the eve of his assumption of office as provisional president, however, Rawson was forced to resign. The provisional presidency went to General Pedro Ramírez. In January 1944, his government broke diplomatic relations with Japan and Germany.

On March 27, 1945, the country declared war on Germany and Japan. In the following month the government signed the Act of Chapultepec, a compact among American nations for mutual aid against aggressors. Argentina, with U.S. sponsorship, became a charter member of the United Nations in June. Shortly afterward, it was announced that elections would be held early in 1946.

Revival of political activity in Argentina was marked by the appearance of a new political group formally organized as the Labor Party, with Juan D. Perón as its candidate for the presidency.

In October 1945, Perón married Eva Duarte. As first lady of Argentina, Eva Perón managed labor relations and social services for her husband’s government until her death in 1952.

On June 16, 1955, dissident elements launched a rebellion in Buenos Aires. Three years later, when general elections were held in February 1958, Frondizi won the presidency. Representative government was restored on May 1.

In 1972, however, the country became increasingly torn by violence. During this period, extremists on the left carried out terrorist acts in relative numbers that impended public order. The government resorted to a number of emergency decrees, including the implementation of special executive authority to deal with violence.

On March 11, 1973, Argentina held general elections for the first time in 10 years. Peron was prevented from running, but voters elected his stand-in, Dr. Hector J. Campora, to the presidency. Peron's followers also established secure majorities in both houses of the National Congress, which assumed office on May 25, 1973. Campora resigned in July 1973. Vice President Raul Lastiri, called for new elections. Peron won a victory and reestablished as President in October 1973 with his third wife, Maria Estela Isabel Martinez de Peron, as Vice President.

Perón died on July 1, 1974, and his wife succeeded him. After repeated cabinet crises and terrorist activities a military junta led by the army commander, Lieutenant General Jorge Rafael Videla, seized power on March 24, 1976. The junta dissolved the legislature and imposed martial law.

For the first few months after the military takeover, terrorism remained rampant, but it waned somewhat after the Videla government launched its campaign against the opponents.

Mayor economic-political problems, joined to discredit and discourage the military regime. This inspired a period of progressive transition and led the country toward democratic rule. Acting under public pressure, the junta lifted bans on political parties and restored other basic political liberties. Argentina undergone a generally successful and peaceful return to democracy.

On October 30, 1983, Argentines went to the polls to choose a president; vice president; a national, provincial, and local officials in elections international observers found to be fair, open, and honest. The country returned to constitutional rule after Raul Alfonsin, candidate of the Radical Civic Union (UCR), received 52% of the popular vote for president. he began a six-year term of office on December 10, 1983. During his presidency the country was lead to a strong and vigorous democratic system.

In 1989 Peronist Party candidate, Carlos Saul Menem won the election and became President. During his presidency significant economic measures leaded the country into a era of sustained economic growth. In 1991 Finance Minister Domingo Cavallo formulated a new monetary plan and on the same year the Federal Congress passed the Convertibility Law establishing the currency tied to a dollar ($1 peso = $1 US dollar) and the concomitant obligation to maintain an specific relationship between the monetary base and the international reserves. A broad series of reforms accompanied the plan, including market deregulation, liberalization of international trade restrictions, profound financial reforms and privatization of state-owned companies.

On 1994 the Constitution was revised including the presidential reelection.

On December 10th, 1999 an union of forces between the Radical Party and the Frepaso Party won the Presidential election and Fernando de la Rua became President. On October 6th, 2000, the Vice president presented his resignation. On December 19th, 2002, Mr. de la Rua resigned the Presidency. Mr. Federico Puerta, the Vice president of the Senate took office until December 22nd, when the Honorable Congress appointed Mr. Adolfo Rodriguez Saa, who resigned on December 31st. The President of the House of Representatives took office until January 1st, 2003. The Honorable Congress then elected Eduardo Duhalde, who became President until December 2003, when a Presidential election was scheduled. Mr. Duahlde however, announced his decision to call for presidential elections to be held on April 27th 2003..

Results of the presidential primary of 27 April 2003: Carlos Saul Menem 24.3%, Nestor Kirchner 22%, Ricardo Lopez Murphy 16.4%, Adolfo Rodriguez Saa 14.4%, Elisa Carrio 14.2%, other 8.7%; the subsequent runoff election slated for 25 May 2003 was awarded to Kirchner by default after Menem withdrew his candidacy on the eve of the election.

On May 25th, Mr Nestor Carlos Kirchner became President. Vice President Daniel SCIOLI