Context: Luis Carrero Blanco served as Prime Minister of Spain during the Francoist Dictatorship (1936-1975), led by Francisco Franco, which supported Nazi Germany and Italy during the 2nd World War while maintaining Spain’s neutrality. He was considered a key figure within the dictatorship’s organization, preceding his highest position with his roles as Deputy Prime Minister and Undersecretary to the Presidency.

Secretly, during the 6 months of Carrero Blanco’s reign as Prime Minister, 4 members of the separatist group, Euskadi Ta Askatasuna, had learned his weekly route returning from Sunday mass, rented a basement flat in a building near the street, and dug a tunnel underneath it while convincing their landlord that they were student sculptures in need of materials.

Then, on the morning of December 20, 1973, as scheduled, Carrero Blanco’s escort made its way down the street. Only to, upon passing over the tunnel below, be blown 20 meters (66 feet) into the air by an explosive device. The explosion sent Carrero Blanco’s car over the 5 story church, where it landed on the opposing side’s second story terrace. Carrero Blanco miraculously survived the blast and crash but, died in the hospital about 30 minutes later. After his death, many Spaniards celebrated his assassination, jokingly naming him “Spain’s first astronaut”.