On January 15, 1944 CE, a devastating earthquake, estimated at magnitude 7.0, struck the city of San Juan in Argentina. The quake killed an estimated 10,000 people and caused widespread destruction. This was one of the deadliest earthquakes in Argentine history and had a profound impact on the country.

The 1944 San Juan earthquake inspired a wave of Argentine poetry and literature that explored the trauma and resilience of the survivors. The event is a significant theme in Argentine literature, where it is used to reflect on the country's vulnerability to natural disasters and its cultural identity. The earthquake is a key event in the history of Argentine literature, often used as a symbol of suffering and hope.