
Category Archives: TodayInHistory
Leopoldo Víctor Vargas.
(July 9, 1933- March 26, 2011)
Leo Vargas was born on July 9 1933 in Putaendo, San Felipe, Chile. He was the love child and the only son of Susana Vargas Berrios.
He married Ms. Erika Caroca Atenas, on May 5, 1956, in Santiago de Chile.
Leopoldo Victor Vargas died after a long struggle with diabetes and all its complications in Santiago’s Hospital de la Fuerza Aérea de Chile on the afternoon of Saturday March 26 2011. He is survived by his wife, and by four children and six grandchildren.
Mr. Vargas was a Non-commissioned officer (NCO) of the Chilean Air Force, Aerial Photographer, Photojournalist, Presidential Photographer (1964-1973) and is the author of the award-winning picture of the World Press Photo of the Year 1973, and of the Official Portrait of Chilean President Salvador Allende Gossens and the first Official Portrait of each of the members of the Military Junta right after the Coup in 1973- Army General Augusto Pinochet, Aviation General Gustavo Leigh, Admiral José Merino, and Carabineros’ General César Mendoza Durán.
Tanquetazo
Forty three years ago, on Friday 29th, June 1973, there was a putsch against the government of Chilean President Salvador Allende. This failed putsch is known as Tanquetazo or Tancazo.
- Chilean President Salvador Allende is met by the Army Commander in Chief, General Carlos Prats, upon his arrival to La Moneda Palace, at around 11:41 am.
Photo captured at the entrance to the seat of the Chilean government, right after the Tanquetazo putsch had been crushed by the loyalist forces.
Friday 29th, June 1973, La Moneda, Santiago de Chile.
Photo: (Possibly) Luis Poirot.
#TodayInHistory: the #NYT announces de winner of the #WPPh 1973.
In a day like today, 42 years ago, was announced in #TheNewYorkTimes that an unidentified Chilean photographer won the grand prize of photojournalism; the World Press Photo of the Year 1973, awarded by the #WorldPressPhotoFoundation, in the Netherlands.
The author of that picture was presidential photographer and Chilean Air Force NCO Leopoldo Víctor Vargas (1933-2011).
Leopoldo V. Vargas past away five years ago- the afternoon of Saturday 26, 2011. This weekend, his family, with lots of love and respect celebrates his fifth anniversary. Here is our homage.
#TodayInHistory TIME Magazine publishes a pix of Leopoldo V. Vargas shot in 9/11/1973.
#ADayLikeToday 42 years ago, the fourth picture of six captured by Chilean presidential photographer Leopoldo Víctor Vargas made it’s debut in the world press. Shot the morning of Tuesday September 11th 1973 at La Moneda Palace, seat of the Chilean Government, during the Coup d’état.
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#TodayInHistory: NYT publication of WPPh1973
#TodayInHistory: On Saturday, Jan. 26, 1973, made it’s debut on the front page of The New York Times (NYT), the picture winner of the World Press Photo of the Year 1973 (WPPh1973) prize.

NYT Jan 26, 1973 Front Page (Report)