May 1, 1974: An explosion of joy fills the streets across the country.

For the first time in almost five decades, the Portuguese people were able to celebrate Labor Day freely. The emotion, smiles, and cries of freedom were accompanied by red carnations at the People’s Party.

In Lisbon, in the first major popular demonstration after April 25, Mário Soares and Álvaro Cunhal walk from Alameda D. Afonso Henriques to the 1º de Maio stadium, surrounded by thousands of euphoric people.

On the podium, Mário Soares addressed the crowd impromptu in a rousing speech: “On April 25, the Armed Forces deposed the fascist and colonialist government of Marcelo Caetano, but it was today, it was here, that we destroyed fascism. This victory belongs to no one. This victory belongs to the Portuguese people.”

Cheered by a stadium overflowing with people, slogans could be heard amid the applause: “The people united will never be defeated.”

Picture 1 – Mário Soares speaking at the podium of the 1st of May Stadium. FMSMB – Mário Soares Archive)

Picture 2 – Mário Soares, Álvaro Cunhal, and Francisco Pereira de Moura at the May 1, 1974 parade in Lisbon. Photo by Carlos Gil. FMSMB – Carlos Gil Archive

From: Fundação Mário Soares e Maria Barroso