24 hours in the History of a country, which begins on the night of April 24th with a group of rebellious military personnel establishing a Command Post and putting into practice a detailed plan that involved military units throughout the country until it was published the first Law of democracy that dissolved all the bodies of the Estado Novo, removed all those responsible from office and established a provisional Government, assigning power to the National Salvation Board.
A chronology of the main moments in the early hours of April 25, 1974 that culminated in the Carnation Revolution.
The beginning of the end of 48 years of dictatorship
At 22:00 on April 24, 1974O Armed Forces Movement (MFA) installs the Command Post (PC) in the Engineering Regiment 1 (RE 1) in Pontinha, to direct the “Operation End of Regime”.
Present are the Major Otelo Saraiva de Carvalho, Lieutenant-Captain Vítor Crespo, Major Sanches Osório, Lieutenant-Color. Garcia dos Santos, Lt. Col. Fisher Lopes Pires. Major Hugo dos Santos later joined. Captain Luís Macedo, unit officer, guarantees the PC’s safety, Major José Maria Azevedo provides support.
At 10:55 p.m. The first password is transmitted: the song “E Além do Adeus”, sung by Paulo de Carvalho, is broadcast by Emissores Associados de Lisboa.
To the 00:20 on April 25, 1974 is started the military operation “End of Regime” with military units across the country executing the MFA plan.
The plans outlined for the various military units across the country, from Lisbon, are beginning to be put into motion – such as the Light Artillery Regiment 1 (RAL1), Practical School of Military Administration (EPAM), Practical Infantry School (EPI) of Mafra – passing through Santarém, Viseu, Viana do Castelo…
“Officers and sergeants were informed of the events and invited to join. Those who refused were detained. The squares were armed.” April 25th Association.
From April 25, 1974 to November 25, 1975
On April 25, 1974, a 48-year dictatorial regime was overthrown, an end was determined to a colonial war that began 13 years earlier, free elections and a democratic regime were promised.
Until November 1975, decolonization took place: the African colonies became independent countries – Angola, Mozambique, Guinea-Bissau, Cape Verde and São Tomé and Príncipe.
Until the end of 1975, the country experienced the Ongoing Revolutionary Process (PREC), witnessed several coup attempts and elected a Constituent Assembly. The beginning of the end of PREC only happened after November 25, 1975.
