What happened at the open town meeting in Santiago on September 18, 1810?

On September 18, 1810, a cabildo abierto (open town meeting) was held in Santiago. This event marked the initial move toward Chilean independence.

The meeting was attended by representatives of privileged groups who sought a change in the colony's administration. During the proceedings, the assembly accepted the resignation of the president-governor and elected a junta composed of local leaders to take his place. This action was a significant step toward greater autonomy and self-government for the colony, which had been left to rely on its own resources following Napoleon's intervention in Spain.12