On March 24, 1976 a military junta overthrew the Argentine government and seized control of the country. A rigidly conservative regime, the junta was characterized by both its free market, monetarist economic policies and severe political and social restrictions that seizing control of the press, universities, and labor unions, sacking the supreme court, reintroducing the death penalty, and sanctioning the kidnap and torture of thousands of citizens seen as potential ideological opponents (nunca mass xiii). Here are some of the key episodes of the junta: 
- November 6, 1974- A state of siege is announced in Tucumán province, where the ERP, a militant leftist group, (rollover def) was attempting to establish itself (nunca mas xii) The military begins establishing the Centros Clandéstinos de Detención (CCDs) in Tucumán province where individuals identified as subversives are secretly held and tortured. These camps become patterns for later camps.
- March 24, 1976- General Jorge Rafael Videla, Admiral Emilio Massera and Brigadier Orlando Ramon overthrow president Isabel Peron and take control of the country. Universities, trade unions, the press and courts all become national domain. Proceso de Reorganizacion Nacional begins. This campaign includes both economic reforms aimed at insituting __ style capitalism and social reforms, aimed at the elimination of individuals and groups perceived to be a threat to the military’s power
- 1978- Argentina hosts and wins the world cup, symbols of modernity such as color tc and modern hotels are introduced to suggest economic prosperity and social stability (nunca mas xiv); inflation and unemployment were rising steadily
- 1981- A second three member junta composed of General Leopoldo Fortunato Galtieri, Admiral Jorge Anaya, Brigadier Basilio Lami Dozo replaces the first
- 1981- General Viola coins the term “Dirty War” at a press conference in Venezuela. Although Viola used it to suggest that the junta was fighting subversive, leftist elements using guerilla tactics, in hindsight, it has been seen as more descriptive of the junta's own tactics of repression and torture.
- 1982- In a last ditch attempt to curry public favor amid growing economic crises, the junta mounts a campaign to reclaim Las Islas Malvinas, or the Falkland Islands from Great Britain. Almost 700 Argentines die and Britain remains in control of the islands.
- 1982 General Reynaldo Benito Bignone becomes president, declares amnesty for all those involved in dirty war crimes, turns back to civilian rule
- 1983- Democratic, national elections are held in Argentina. Raul Alfonsin of the Radical Party is elected president
