Historical Events tagged with "madrid"

Turns out history loves a label—battles, breakthroughs, and the occasional disaster, all neatly tagged for your browsing pleasure. Because sometimes you just need every weird invention in one place.

Accidents & Tragedies

Iberia Flight 610 Crashes on Mount Oiz

February 19th, 1985 40 years ago

A Boeing 727 operating as Iberia Flight 610 crashed into Mount Oiz in Spain, resulting in the loss of 148 lives. The flight was en route to Madrid from Bilbao when it encountered severe weather conditions, leading to the tragic accident. This incident marked the deadliest in Iberia's history and in the Basque Country, highlighting the challenges of aerial navigation in mountainous terrain during adverse weather.

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Accidents & Tragedies

Collision of Iberia and Aviaco Airliners

December 7th, 1983 41 years ago

An Iberia Airlines Boeing 727 collided with an Aviaco DC-9 while both were taxiing at Madrid–Barajas Airport in dense fog. The accident resulted in the deaths of 93 people. Both aircraft were on the runway, and visibility was severely limited, contributing to the tragedy.

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Accidents & Tragedies

Avianca Flight 011 Crashes Near Madrid Airport

November 27th, 1983 41 years ago

Avianca Flight 011, a Boeing 747, crashed near Madrid's Barajas Airport, resulting in the deaths of 181 individuals. The flight was operating from Bogotá, Colombia, to Madrid when it encountered difficulties during its final approach. Initial investigations pointed to a range of factors, including fog conditions and pilot error, contributing to the tragic incident. The crash marked one of the deadliest aviation disasters in Spain's history.

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Politics & Government

Antonio Tejero's Attempted Coup in Spain

February 23rd, 1981 44 years ago

Antonio Tejero, a lieutenant colonel of the Civil Guard, led an armed coup by storming the Spanish Congress of Deputies in Madrid. On that day, Tejero and a group of armed soldiers took control of the building during a parliamentary session, holding lawmakers hostage, including Prime Minister Adolfo Suárez. The coup was a response to political instability in Spain during the transition to democracy following Franco's dictatorship. Tejero's actions were intended to undermine the democratic process and return Spain to authoritarian rule, but the attempt ultimately failed.

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Politics & Government

Atocha Massacre in Madrid During Democracy Transition

January 24th, 1977 48 years ago

On January 24, 1977, a group of armed individuals attacked the labor lawyers' office in Atocha, Madrid, leading to the deaths of five lawyers. The attack was carried out by far-right extremists who targeted the lawyers for their involvement in the labor movement and support for workers' rights. This event highlighted the tensions during Spain's transition to democracy, which followed the end of Francisco Franco's dictatorship.

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Politics & Government

Juan Carlos Declared King of Spain

November 22nd, 1975 49 years ago

Following the death of Francisco Franco, Juan Carlos I was proclaimed King of Spain. This marked the beginning of a transition to democracy, a significant shift in Spain's political landscape after decades of dictatorship. The event symbolized hope for many Spaniards for a more democratic and peaceful future under a constitutional monarchy.

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Politics & Government

Assassination of Prime Minister Luis Carrero Blanco

December 20th, 1973 51 years ago

In Madrid, a car bomb planted by the Basque nationalist group ETA kills Prime Minister Luis Carrero Blanco along with two others. The attack is part of ETA's campaign against the Franco regime, highlighting the group's resolve even during his tenure. The bomb detonated as Blanco's vehicle passed through the city, sending it several meters into the air and causing significant destruction. This incident marked a critical moment in Spain's history of political violence during the late Francoist period.

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Accidents & Tragedies

Aviaco Flight 118 crashes near A Coruña Airport

August 13th, 1973 51 years ago

Aviaco Flight 118, a scheduled domestic flight, was en route from Madrid to A Coruña when it crashed while attempting to land. The Boeing 727-100 aircraft lost control and impacted near the airport, resulting in the deaths of all 84 passengers and crew on board, along with one person on the ground. Technical malfunctions and adverse weather conditions contributed to the tragic accident.

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Arts & Culture

Discovery of Leonardo da Vinci's Madrid Codices

February 13th, 1967 58 years ago

American researchers unearthed a collection of the Madrid Codices by Leonardo da Vinci in the National Library of Spain, an assembly of previously unknown sketches and writings. These codices are significant as they contain extensive scientific and artistic insights from da Vinci’s genius, providing a window into the Renaissance era. Researchers were astounded by the quality and quantity of the material, often attributing newfound knowledge in various fields to these writings. The codices were cataloged for public access, allowing scholars and da Vinci enthusiasts to explore his thoughts and designs.

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