Today is big day in Portugal

[Giulietta]

Today, 34 years ago was a big day in Portugal. The end of the Fascist Governement..the begining of the Social democratic governement.

It was a big day for many, a disgrace for other many...mixed feelings among the Portuguese. An Historical date however..I remeber the day, still engraved in my mind..the day my country became a Democracy.

It was a big day for those whose liberties were shaken, a bad day for the rich that lost almost everything...but overall an important step towards modernization.

It was simple, you liked the regime, you would be OK, you didn't like the regime, you would be in prision...

Portugal had a strong economy, matching and surpassing most of Europe, butunfortunately due to a series of protectionist laws, and many colonies..

All is gone now, after the revolution, Portugal plunged into an all time recession, becoming one of the poorest countries in Europe...we have recovered, since then, took 30 years, but we have managed..and are now at synch with Europe and no longer the poorest..


Have a read here if you are curious..small but strong...that's Portugal!!

VIVA PORTUGAL!!

[xort]

When I saw the headline, I was expecting to read that is was bath day for the month

Glad your country lived through it and righted the ship. Good lessons to be learned, but unfortunately most of the world seems to like ignoring these events.

[teshannon]

Happy independence day Giu!

[Joel73]

VIVA PORTUGAL!!!



April 25th Bridge... that we sailed under:

[bubb2]

I remember what I was doing around these dates in 1975. I was involved witnessing a democracy fall and evacuating people off the roof of the American Embassy in Saigon. Yes we lost that democracy to our own politicians. I had no idea that another democracy was being born at the same time until I read Alex's post.

Carnations instead of bullets.

Alex, happy Freedom day! We all should learn from Portugal!

[T34C]

Alex, happy Freedom day! We all should learn from Portugal!

Thanks to Alex, many of us have, and are learning from and about Portugal. He and his family are great ambassadors of their country.

Does this day of celebration have a name?

Cheers!

[Giulietta]

Originally Posted by teshannon

Happy independence day Giu!

TE..we don't really have an independence day because we were never occcupied, (well we were by the Moors, in the year 700, but we kicked them out), my Country was founded in 1139, by King D. Afonso Henriques SEE HERE., but the real "independence" was in 1143.

See here also for Portuguese history highlights

The time line of Portugal HERE

In 1910, we finished bieng a Monarchy and became a Republic, with the de-trone of the King.

[Giulietta]

Thank you Joel..that is a nice big flag, where did you get that one?? We don't see many flags flying around in Portugal, unfortunately...not like in the US..

That bridge, became, 4 days later, the place of the largest recorded Gybe in the History of Lisbon, a feat for which, Portugal received the help of Australia!!!

The Cruise boat is still there...the Captain of the cruise boat hasn't stopped laughing yet, and hasn't regained his composture, hasn't composed him self yet, in order to regain his journey....(VBG)

[Giulietta]

Originally Posted by T34C

[B][I]Does this day of celebration have a name?

We just call it 25th of April, (25 de Abril), but some call it, Revolucao dos cravos, or Carnation Revolution.

Thanks

[jrd22]

Thanks for the education about Portugal Alex, very interesting (I have to confess I really didn't know anything about it until you started posting here). Enjoy your day!

John