What was the Carnation Revolution?
Quick answer
The Carnation Revolution was a largely peaceful military coup in Portugal on April 25, 1974, that overthrew the Estado Novo dictatorship, which had ruled since the 1930s. It got its name because people placed red carnations in soldiers’ rifle barrels. It led to democracy in Portugal and independence for its African colonies.
Background: Europe’s longest dictatorship
António de Oliveira Salazar ruled Portugal from 1932 to 1968, followed by Marcelo Caetano. Their Estado Novo (“New State”) regime censored the press, used a secret police force (PIDE) and banned opposition parties.
By the 1960s, Portugal was fighting costly colonial wars in Angola, Mozambique and Guinea-Bissau. Young officers, tired of the wars, formed the Armed Forces Movement (MFA) and planned a coup.
The night of April 24–25
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 10:55 p.m. | A popular song is played on the radio, the first secret signal |
| 12:20 a.m. | A banned folk song, “Grândola, Vila Morena,” is broadcast: the signal to begin |
| Morning | Troops take key points in Lisbon |
| Evening | Caetano surrenders |
Crowds filled the streets to support the soldiers. A restaurant worker, Celeste Caeiro, handed out red carnations, and soldiers put them in their rifles. Very few people were killed.
What changed
- Free elections were held on April 25, 1975.
- Portugal’s former colonies, including Angola, Mozambique, Cape Verde and São Tomé and Príncipe, became independent in 1974–1975.
- Portugal adopted a democratic constitution in 1976 and joined the European Community in 1986.
Remembering it
April 25 is a national holiday, Freedom Day (Dia da Liberdade). Lisbon’s huge suspension bridge, once named after Salazar, was renamed the 25 de Abril Bridge. People still wear carnations on the anniversary.
Portuguese is now an official language in several African countries; see which language is official in the most African countries. For another peaceful turning point in Europe, see when the Berlin Wall fell.
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