Tens of thousands of protesters gathered in Argentina's capital on Tuesday (March 24) to mark the 50th anniversary of the country's last military coup, a day that has become a national holiday to honor the estimated 30,000 people who disappeared during the dictatorship's so-called "Dirty War."

Drone footage showed protesters marching towards the iconic Plaza de Mayo, many carrying photos of loved ones who vanished during the seven-year military rule that began with the coup on March 24, 1976. Demonstrators held signs reading "Never Again" and "They Are 30,000," emphasizing the slogan of remembrance for victims of the dictatorship.

Monica Pirani, a retired teacher wearing the white headscarf associated with the Mothers of Plaza de Mayo protest group, reflected on the dictatorship's early days. "When the coup happened I was very young, I was 16 and didn't have much awareness, but there were signs," Pirani said. "Gradually we became aware of what was happening, and truly, a nation with memory is destined to rise again."

Retired resident Jose Luis Palazo also shared his personal loss, bringing a headscarf in honor of his friend Romulo, who disappeared in 1977. "Those of us who lived through that time remember it for the loss of friends, work colleagues, university classmates," Palazo said. "He deserves to be here, and we are here because of the struggles of people like him."

Argentina's return to democracy in 1983 marked an end to the dictatorship, but economic and social impacts linger. Retired teacher Nestor Di Milia noted parallels between that era and modern challenges. "At the time of the coup, there was also a deindustrialization of the Argentine economy," he said. "Like every year, we will continue fighting so there is memory, truth, and justice."

Signs of solidarity and remembrance, including banners proclaiming "Trial and Punishment" and tributes from younger generations, underscored the enduring importance of the anniversary in Argentina's collective memory.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA (MARCH 24, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

1. (MUTE) VARIOUS OF DRONE SHOTS SHOWING TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PROTESTERS MARCHING TOWARDS PLAZA DE MAYO

2. VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS CARRYING BANNERS AND PHOTOS OF PEOPLE WHO DISAPPEARED DURING MILITARY DICTATORSHIP

3. PROTESTERS ARRIVING AT PLAZA DE MAYO

4. ARGENTINE FLAG WAVING IN PLAZA DE MAYO

5. MONICA PIRANI IN PLAZA DE MAYO WEARING WHITE HEADSCARF (SYMBOL OF THE MOTHERS OF PLAZA DE MAYO PROTEST GROUP)

6. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) RETIRED TEACHER, MONICA PIRANI, SAYING:

"When the coup happened, I was very young, I was 16 and didn't have much awareness, but there were signs. You would get on a bus, and they would make you get off and search you. You would go dancing, and the same thing happened. You would hear gunshots in the neighborhood, and that horrible murmur saying, 'don't get involved, they must have done something.' Gradually, we became aware of what was happening, and truly, a nation with memory is destined to rise again."

7. VARIOUS OF VAN TRANSPORTING MOTHERS OF PLAZA DE MAYO ADVANCING THROUGH THE DEMONSTRATION

8. PROTESTER WITH WHITE HEADSCARF READING (Spanish): "MOTHERS OF THE PLAZA, THE PEOPLE EMBRACE YOU"

9. PROTESTER JOSE LUIS PALAZO IN PLAZA DE MAYO

10. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) RETIRED MAN, JOSE LUIS PALAZO, SAYING:

"Those of us who lived through that time, the time of terror, remember it for the loss of friends, the loss of work colleagues, university classmates. Today I wear the headscarf of a great friend and companion, Romulo, who disappeared on February 22, 1977; that's why I bring it, because he deserves to be here, and we are here because of the struggle of people like Romulo."

11. VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS MARCHING TOWARDS PLAZA DE MAYO CARRYING PHOTOS OF DISAPPEARED PEOPLE

12. SIGN READING (Spanish): "NEVER AGAIN"

13. SIGN READING (Spanish): "YOUTH ALSO REMEMBERS"

14. VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS CARRYING PHOTOS OF PEOPLE WHO DISAPPEARED DURING MILITARY DICTATORSHIP

15. VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS CARRYING PHOTO OF DISAPPEARED PERSON

16. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) RETIRED TEACHER, NESTOR DI MILIA, SAYING:

"At the time of the coup, there was also a deindustrialization of the Argentine economy, and well, like every year, we will continue fighting so that there is memory, truth, and justice, and that we can have a better government in the future."

17. THOUSANDS OF PROTESTERS MARCHING TOWARDS PLAZA DE MAYO CARRYING SIGNS

18. SIGN READING (Spanish): "THEY ARE 30,000"

19. SIGN READING (Spanish): "TRIAL AND PUNISHMENT"