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Portugal’s Carnation Revolution

Journalist, and former Channel 4 news presenter Jon Snow, remembers Portugal's 1974 revolution, which he covered as a young man.

25th April 2024 marks the 50th anniversary of Portugal's 'Carnation Revolution', which overthrew the authoritarian dictatorship of the Estado Novo ('New State') which had governed Portugal since the 1920s. A largely bloodless revolution, marked by the carnations that were placed in the rifles of the soldiers, it led to the successful establishment of democracy in Portugal and the integration of more than half-a-million 'retornados' - returnees - Portuguese citizens from its former African colonies.

Portugal's revolution was indeed televised, and recorded in sound. One of those who bore witness to its aftermath was journalist, and former Channel 4 news presenter Jon Snow, who reported from Portugal at the time for LBC Radio. At this important anniversary, he remembers his time there, and tells the story of what unfolded, through archive and interviews with those who organised and lived through those heady days of April 1974.

Presenter: Jon Snow
Producer: Michael Rossi

With thanks to RTP (RΓ΅dio e TelevisΓ£o de Portugal) and LBC for archive.

Available now

28 minutes

Last on

Mon 22 Apr 2024 16:00

Broadcasts

  • Sun 21 Apr 2024 13:30
  • Mon 22 Apr 2024 16:00

Flowers of the Portuguese Revolution, by Jon Snow and Michael Rossi

Flowers of the Portuguese Revolution, by Jon Snow and Michael Rossi

Jon Snow reflects on reporting from the front line of revolutionary changes in 1974.