-
The beginning of The Violence period
Several strikes became visible throughout the country, caused by tensions between the Liberal and Conservative parties, particularly in rural areas. -
Gaitan's murder
Jorge Eliecer Gaitan, Liberal candidate for president was murdered in downtown Bogotá. A riot , called el Bogotazo, emerged and 3,000 people were killed. The death enhanced the Violence period. -
Rojas Pinilla's seizure of power
Gustavo Rojas Pinilla addressed a successful coup. His presidential term ended up in an oppressive regime of terror. -
TV inaguration in the country
Former president, Rojas Pinilla, imported two TV brands, since he got impressed by these electronic devices during a visit to Germany. He hired cuban technicians to set the first TV station. -
End of The Violence period and beginning of Frente Nacional
Liberals and Conservatives, the two main political parties, agreed to share power by rotating their candidates every four years, ending with The Violence and Rojas Pinilla's dictatorship, thanks to a bipartisan coalition. -
ELN first attacks
The Ejercito de Liberación Nacional was created, inspired by the Cuban revolution and commanded by the priest Camilo Torres and Manuel Pérez. -
FARC-EP
The Fuerzas Revolucionarias Armadas de Colombia army was founded in the Tolima department. It emerged, commanded by Manuel Marulanda, due to unconformities accumulated during several years related to land-access and land-property issues. -
The visit of Paul VI
Paul VI was the first pope to ever visit Colombia and South America. He spent three days in the country. -
M-19 formation
The 19th of April Movement was founded,Their first polemical act was going to happen the following year: stealing Bolivar's sword from the Quinta de Bolivar. -
Beginning of drug's conflict
Despites the early beginnings of the marihuana (1940's decade) and cocaine (1960's decade) trafficking, with the formation of the "drug cartels", the drug war emerged. One of the most remembered members was Pablo Escobar. -
Literature Nobel Prize
Gabriel García Marquez, writer born in Aracataca, Magdalena, won the Nobel Prize of Literature,attributable to his most famous novel, One Hundred Years of Solitude (1967). -
Betancur's peace process
A peace negotiation process between the guerrillas and the Belisario Betancur's government. The process involved amnesties, prisoners released and cease-fire. And a political party was founded, the Patriotic Union Party (UP). -
Palace of Justice Seige
The 19th of April Movement took over the Colombian Palace of Justice and held the entire Supreme court and several tens of civilians hostage. -
Armero Tragedy
The eruption of the Nevado del Ruiz volcano caused an avalanche that destroyed the whole town of Armero, Tolima, and killed over 25,000 people. -
The visit of John Paul II
John Paul II was the second pope that ever visited Colombia. He stayed for seven days. -
Peace Agreement M-19
The M-19 guerrilla and the Colombian government reached a Peace Agreement, after which several members of the M-19 became politicians. -
Luis Carlos Galan assassination
Members of the drug cartels, including Pablo Escobar, ordered to killed Galan. Galan was a favored presidential candidate. He was shot down by a machine gun in Soacha. -
Colombian Constitution of 1991
The 1991 Constitution of Colombia replaced the constitution promulgated on 1886. This document is also known as the Human Rights Constitution and is the current governing document of the nation. -
Death of Pablo Escobar
The leader of the Medellin's drug cartel, and one of the most remembered and feared characters of the drug war, was shot dead on a rooftop in Medellin after a long persecution. -
QUAC! News creation
The political satire TV show, QUAC, was first launched, starring Jaime Garzon and Diego León Hoyos. Several public figures were interviewed in it and great controversy was generated. -
First United Self-defense Forces attack: Mapiripán massacre
The AUC right-winged group, arrived to Mapiripán looking for guerrilla's allies. Chainsaws and machetes were used to brutally murder many civilians. General Jaime Uscátegui, from the military forces, was also found guilty years later. -
Pastrana's peace talks
During his goverment, Andres Pastrana, former president, promoted peace talks with the guerrillas. During a ceremony concerning the talks, the FARC didn't show up, leaving an empty chair. The process failed and ended up with several kidnappings. -
Plan Colombia establishment
Plan Colombia was a bilateral agreement generated between the Colombian and U.S. goverments. It's objetive was to mitigate drug trafficking and armed conflict. -
Jaime Garzon's assassination
The beloved political satirist and journalist was assassinate in Bogota. He received several death threats until he was shot dead on his way to work. The event caused great controversy and sorrow. -
Colombians at the top of the Everest
Manuel Arturo Barrios and Fernando González Rubio were the first colombians that climbed to the peak of Mt. Everest. They did it during the Manantial Expedition. -
Bojaya's massacre
The FARC seized the Bojaya town in order to take control of the Atrato river and displace AUC forces. It was an indiscriminate attack and gas cilynder bombs were used. Approximately, 119 civilians were killed. -
El Nogal's bombing
A bomb with 330 pounds of TNT, placed inside a car parked at The Nogal Club building, exploded. It killed more than 30 people and wounded over 160 civilians. It was planned by the FARC rebel group. -
The United Self-defenders of Colombia (AUC) desmovilization
Peace talks between Alvaro Uribe's government led to the desmovilization of the AUC and the establishment of the Justice and Peace Law. -
Colombian amputee on the Mt. Everest
Two colombian men, Nelson Cardona and Rafael Avila, reached the highest peak of Mt. Everest. Cardona thit it with just one leg: he lost his right leg training for the climb. -
Saint Laura of Saint Catherine of Siena
Laura Montoya, a colombian woman born in Jericó (26 May 1874 – 21 October 1949), was canonizaed as a Saint by Pope Francis. She was the first colombian saint. -
Same-sex marriage legalization
The Constitutional Court voted, and decided that banning same-sex marriage was against the constitution. It was the fourth country in Latinamerica to do so. -
Peace agreement ratified
After the "No" won on the plebiscite for the first version of the peace agreement in October, 2016, a second and final version was signed by the Colombian goverment and the FARC group in November, ending with more than 50 years of armed conflict.
