Liberty Day in Portugal marks the anniversary of the Carnation Revolution of 1974, which peacefully ended decades of dictatorship under the Estado Novo regime. It symbolizes freedom, democracy, and national renewal. On this day, soldiers placed red carnations in their rifles, and citizens flooded the streets to celebrate without violence.

When is Liberty Day?

Liberty Day in Portugal is celebrated on April 25 every year.

The following is the list of Liberty Day from 2020 to 2049.

The History of Liberty Day?

From 1933 to 1974, Portugal was ruled by the Estado Novo (New State), an authoritarian regime established by António de Oliveira Salazar. The regime promoted nationalism, censorship, and political repression, banning opposition parties and independent unions. Citizens were monitored by the secret police (PIDE), and dissent was often punished.

On April 25, 1974, a peaceful military coup organized by the Armed Forces Movement overthrew the Estado Novo regime. The revolution began in the early morning. Soldiers and tanks took control of key points in Lisbon, including radio stations, airports, and government buildings, facing minimal resistance.

Ordinary citizens joined the soldiers in the streets, offering them red carnations, which they placed in their rifle barrels and on their uniforms, giving the revolution its name "The Carnation Revolution". By the end of the day, the dictatorship had collapsed, Prime Minister Marcelo Caetano surrendered, and political prisoners were freed.

The revolution marked the end of 48 years of dictatorship and initiated a transition toward democracy and decolonization. In 1975, Portugal held its first free elections in half a century to elect the Constituent Assembly, which drafted a new democratic constitution adopted in 1976. The revolution also led to the independence of Portugal's African colonies, ending the long colonial wars.

April 25 was declared Liberty Day, a national holiday honoring the revolution and the restoration of democratic freedoms. It commemorates the courage of the soldiers and civilians who ended the dictatorship without widespread violence.

Liberty Day stands as one of Portugal's most meaningful national holidays, a day when the nation remembers that even the most repressive systems can be overthrown through unity, courage and peace.