In context

The 25 April coup became known as the Carnation Revolution. It ended the longest dictatorship in Europe, the Estado Novo.

The new regime pushed through a rapid and hasty programme of decolonisation. Over the next few years Guinea-bissau, Mozambique, Cape Verde Islands, Sao Tome and Principe, and Angola all became independent. General Spinola served briefly as interim president and was succeeded by General Francisco da Costa Gomes. Between them they nationalised about 60% of the economy and carried out a major redistribution of land. Hundreds of political prisoners were released.

Over the course of the next decade a stable two party system was established.

Caetano spent the rest of his life in exile in Brazil. Freedom Day is now celebrated as a national holiday on 25 April.