Wars, politics & history

Carnation Revolution

25 April 1974

The Carnation Revolution was a military coup in Portugal that overthrew the authoritarian Estado Novo regime, which had ruled the country for decades and was then led by Marcelo Caetano. It was carried out by young officers of the Armed Forces Movement, who were weary of the colonial wars in Africa, in Angola, Mozambique and Guinea-Bissau. The coup began when a radio station broadcast the song Grandola, Vila Morena as a signal, and it was almost bloodless. Civilians joined the soldiers in the streets and put carnations in the barrels of their guns, which gave the revolution its name. It led to Portugal's transition to democracy, a new constitution in 1976 and the independence of its African colonies.

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