The Carnation Revolution (April 25, 1974)

The Carnation Revolution (Revolução dos Cravos) was a nearly bloodless military coup that ended 48 years of authoritarian rule in Portugal and led to the rapid decolonization of its African empire.

1. The Signal: April 25, 00:20 AM

The revolution used two radio signals to coordinate the move:

1. 22:55 (April 24): Paulo de Carvalho's "E Depois do Adeus" on Emissores Associados de Lisboa.
2. 00:20 (April 25): Zeca Afonso's banned folk song "Grândola, Vila Morena" on Rádio Renascença. This was the final go-ahead for units across the country.

2. The Armed Forces Movement (MFA)

The coup was organized by middle-ranking officers (the "Captains of April") disillusioned by the unwinnable Colonial Wars.

• Strategist: Major Otelo Saraiva de Carvalho.
• Key Target: The Carmo Barracks in Lisbon, where Prime Minister Marcello Caetano had taken refuge.
• Surrender: Caetano surrendered to General António de Spínola at 6:00 PM to ensure power did not fall to the "street."

3. Why "Carnations"?

A restaurant worker, Celeste Caeiro, began handing out red carnations to soldiers because her restaurant's opening was cancelled. The soldiers placed the flowers in the muzzles of their rifles and tanks, creating the enduring image of the revolution.

4. The PREC Period (1974–1975)

The Processo Revolucionário Em Curso (Ongoing Revolutionary Process) was 19 months of political instability.

• Nationalization: Rapid state takeover of banks and heavy industry.
• Land Reform: Seizure of large estates (latifúndios) in the Alentejo.
• Nov 25, 1975: A failed counter-coup by the radical left led to the consolidation of moderate parliamentary democracy.

5. Rapid Decolonization

The MFA immediate recognized the right to self-determination.

• 1974: Guinea-Bissau becomes independent.
• 1975: Mozambique, Cape Verde, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Angola become independent.
• Consequence: The return of 800,000 "retornados" to Portugal, a massive demographic shock that the new democracy successfully absorbed.

Key Timeline Data

• 00:20: Radio signal broadcast.
• 18:00: Caetano surrenders.
• 1975 (Apr 25): First free elections (91% turnout).
• 1976: New Democratic Constitution approved.