Argentina makes March 24 holiday to reflect on coup
Argentina's Congress approved a law on Thursday making March 24 a national holiday to mark the 1976 coup that ushered in the last dictatorship of the country.

The coup brought down the then-president Maria Estela Martinez de Peron and put into power the right-wing military juntas, whose rule was marked by a systematic crackdown on dissent.

Thousands were killed or disappeared during their reign, which ended in December 1983.

"This anniversary must remain firmly etched in the collective conscience," said President Nestor Kirchner, quoted by local news agency Diarios y Noticias.

"If we don't burn this in with fire, what will come of this date in 100 years?" he added.

However, some critics say that granting workers a day off might run against the purpose of an anniversary intended for reflection.

The 1980 Nobel Peace Prize winner, Adolfo Perez Esquivel, said holidays were days for celebration and here "we have no reason to celebrate."