It was on 25 April 1974 that the military proceeded with the peaceful Carnation Revolution that filled the streets of Lisbon with red flowers, and the citizens were celebrating the end of the fascist regime that Portugal had been living under.

The beginning of the revolution

Portugal was facing a war in the African colonies, and the regime did not want to give independence. Many young men were dying in Africa, namely in Angola, Mozambique and Guiné-Bissau. Not only was Portugal facing international pressure to cease the war, but the military was also unhappy with what was happening.

The people were also starting to be aware of other political realities, besides the country controlling, through PIDE, the political police of the regime, every cultural content that came to Portugal. The left-wing, mainly communist ideas were targeting young people in universities, for example.

The lack of freedom was upsetting to most Portuguese people, and on 24 April, the military began the revolution that culminated on 25 April 1974.

Among the various people who made the revolution happen, Portugal still proudly recalls the military Salgueiro Maia and Celeste Caeiro, the lady who gave the carnation to the military and, by accident, gave the Revolution its name.

25 April today

Today, the Portuguese still celebrate this day, believing that the values of 25 April must remain. People who go out will likely experience a variety of events in every city across the country, whether through demonstrations, music, or other cultural events.

On 25 April, people go outside, and one of the most shouted sentences is “25 de abril sempre, fascismo nunca mais!” (Always 25 April, no more fascism!).