Alfredo Stroessner begins his dictatorship in Paraguay.

Alfredo Stroessner Matiauda was a Paraguayan politician, army general and military dictator who ruled as the 42nd president of Paraguay from 15 August 1954 until his overthrow in 1989. Known there as El Stronato, his dictatorship was marked by political violence. Before his accession to the presidency, he was the country's de facto leader from May to August 1954.

Paraguay, officially the Republic of Paraguay, is a landlocked country located in the central region of South America. It is a unitary state with a territory composed of a capital district and seventeen departments. Its capital and largest city is Asunción. Paraguay is a presidential republic and a state governed by the rule of law. It is a founding member of Mercosur, along with Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay.