1973    A coup in Chile headed by General Augusto Pinochet topples the democratically elected president Salvador Allende. Pinochet remains in power for almost 17 years.

1986    Gen. Augusto Pinochet, president of Chile, escapes attempted assassination.

1988    The Chilean opposition coalition ''Concertación'' (center-left) defeats Augusto Pinochet in his re-election attempt and a general election is called the following year.

1998    Former Chilean dictator General Augusto Pinochet is arrested in London on a warrant from Spain requesting his extradition on murder charges.