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Today in History: President Getúlio Vargas commits suicide amid crisis

8/24/2026

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Summary

Story summary

On August 24, 1954, amid a mounting political crisis, Brazil’s president Getúlio Vargas shot himself dead in the Catete Palace, Rio de Janeiro’s former presidential residence. Vargas, who led the nation from 1930-45 and again from 1951-54, is regarded as the 20th-century’s most influential Brazilian politician.

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Story summary

On August 24, 1954, amid a mounting political crisis, Brazil’s president Getúlio Vargas shot himself dead in the Catete Palace, Rio de Janeiro’s former presidential residence. Vargas, who led the nation from 1930-45 and again from 1951-54, is regarded as the 20th-century’s most influential Brazilian politician.