On September 11, 1973, a group of military officers led by General Augusto Pinochet seized power in a coup, ending civilian rule. The presidential palace, La Moneda, was bombed by British-made Hawker Hunter fighter jets and assaulted by tanks and infantry troops. During the air raids and ground attacks democratically elected socialist President Salvador Allende delivered his final speech. He died in the palace with the exact circumstances of his death still disputed and controversial.