“I believe that the political and military decision to commemorate November 25 was historically opportune. It is not about celebrating the date or highlighting names, but rather invoking active memory oriented towards the future and contributing to the dignity of the military institution and the nation itself,” stated António Ramalho Eanes.
The former President of the Republic and figurehead of November 25 made this statement in a message read at the military parade organized in Praça do Comércio, Lisbon, by Lieutenant General Alípio Tomé Pinto, president of the organizing committee for the 50th-anniversary celebrations of November 25, at which he was not present.
Ramalho Eanes emphasized that “April 25 is known as the founding date of restoring freedom for the Portuguese to freely decide their future through free elections.”
“This foundational act of freedom and democracy was authored by the military. However, the resulting democracy belongs to and is solely the responsibility of all Portuguese,” Eanes highlighted.
The former President remarked that November 25, 1975, “only became necessary to counter the drift of the revolutionary process, which was becoming more pronounced and foreseeing an armed insurrection,” which “threatened the commitment made by the military” on April 25.
“This insurrection did occur, and the Armed Forces, from their moderate, democratic, and legalistic side, responded successfully, albeit with some casualties, namely Lieutenant Coimbra, Corporal Pires, from the Commandos, and Aspirant José Bagagem, from the Military Police,” he said, referring to the three deaths recorded on November 26, 1975.
For Ramalho Eanes, “it was November 25 that allowed the military to respond to the honor imperative they had assumed with the Portuguese people on April 25 and that allowed for the reinstitutionalization of the Armed Forces,” legally defining their dependence on political power.
“The mission of the military was thus fully accomplished, responding to their commitment of honor. The Portuguese were given back control of their destiny,” he stated.
