Carnation Revolution, Portugal (1974)

The Carnation Revolution, also referred to as the 25 April, was a military coup in Lisbon (Portugal), on 25 April 1974 which overthrew the regime of the "Estado Novo". The "Estado Novo" (New State), greatly inspired by conservative and authoritarian ideologies, was developed by António de Oliveira Salazar, ruler of Portugal from 1932 to 1968, when he fell ill and was replaced by Marcelo Caetano.

The revolution started as a military coup organized by the "Movimento das Forças Armadas" (Armed Forces Movement, MFA), composed of military officers who opposed the regime. The movement was soon coupled with an unanticipated and popular campaign of civil resistance.


The name "Carnation Revolution" comes from the fact that almost no shots were fired and when the population took to the streets to celebrate the end of the dictatorship and war in the colonies, carnations were put into the muzzles of rifles and on the uniforms of the army.

Taken on 1974-04-25
Source Centro de Documentação 25 de Abril (University of Coimbra)
License Attribution - NonCommercial Creative Commons

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