People
Costa Gomes
1914–2001
Autor desconhecido, Public domain
Francisco da Costa Gomes
Chosen by the captains as a prestigious leader, he was a member of the National Salvation Junta, succeeded Spínola as President in September 1974, declared a state of siege on 25 November 1975 and promulgated the 1976 Constitution.
- Born
- 30 June 1914, Chaves
- Died
- 31 July 2001, Lisbon
Biography
He was born in Chaves in 1914.8 At the Óbidos meeting, in December 1973, the captains wanted to choose prestigious leaders for the Movement, and he received the most votes.3 He was then Chief of the Armed Forces General Staff. In March 1974 he was dismissed, together with his deputy, António de Spínola, shortly after both had stayed away from the ceremony of the “Rheumatic Brigade” (Brigada do Reumático) at the Palácio de São Bento.1 After 25 April he was a member of the National Salvation Junta, which was presented to the country from the RTP studios on 26 April.4
When Spínola resigned, on 30 September 1974, he became President of the Republic.5 On 2 June 1975 he spoke at the opening session of the Constituent Assembly, advocating a “multi-party socialism”.6 On 25 November 1975 he directed, from the Palácio de Belém, the response to the paratroopers’ action and declared a state of siege in the Lisbon region.7 On 2 April 1976 he promulgated the Constitution.9 He died in Lisbon in 2001.8
Places
Dates
11 Apr 1961
The Botelho Moniz coup — the “Abrilada” (April coup) of 19611 Dec 1973
The Óbidos meeting enlarges the Coordinating Committee22 Feb 1974
Spínola publishes “Portugal e o Futuro” (Portugal and the Future)14 Mar 1974
The “Rheumatic Brigade” and the dismissal of Spínola and Costa Gomes16 Mar 1974
The Caldas da Rainha uprising25 Apr 1974
Decree-Law No. 171/74 abolishes the DGS, the Legion and the Portuguese Youth25 Apr 1974
The MFA Programme is delivered to the newspaper “República”26 Apr 1974
The National Salvation Junta presents itself to the country26 Apr 1974
The MFA Programme is made public15 May 1974
Spínola is sworn in as President of the Republic28 Sep 1974
The “silent majority” and the barricades30 Sep 1974
Spínola resigns; Costa Gomes becomes President2 Jun 1975
Opening session of the Constituent Assembly25 Nov 1975
25 November: the end of the revolutionary period2 Apr 1976
The Constituent Assembly approves the Constitution of the Republic29 Apr 1976
The Council of the Revolution shuts down Natália Correia’s “O Século — Hoje”
Walks
People
They crossed paths with him
António de Spínola
1910–1996 · general
Otelo Saraiva de Carvalho
1936–2021 · Artillery major
Sophia de Mello Breyner Andresen
1919–2004 · poet
Álvaro Cunhal
1913–2005 · general secretary of the Portuguese Communist Party
Pinheiro de Azevedo
1917–1983 · naval officer
Marcelo Caetano
1906–1980 · President of the Council of Ministers (head of government, 1968-1974)
Videos
In other archives
These can only be viewed on each archive’s own website.
- RTP Arquivos · Video · broadcast on 25 April 1974 · 5 minProclamação da Junta de Salvação NacionalGenerals Spínola and Costa Gomes arrive at the Lumiar studios, and Fialho Gouveia introduces the members of the National Salvation Junta. Spínola reads the proclamation to the nation live.Open in the archive
- RTP Arquivos · Video · broadcast on 26 April 1974 · 9 minConferência de Imprensa da Junta de Salvação Nacional na PontinhaThe National Salvation Junta’s press conference at the Pontinha barracks, in the early hours of 26 April. General Spínola answers questions from Portuguese and foreign journalists; RTP also identifies Costa Gomes.Open in the archive
- RTP Arquivos · Photograph · 27 April 1974A Junta de Salvação NacionalA photograph by Olavo Moreira taken at a meeting of the National Salvation Junta in the Palácio da Cova da Moura. Present are Galvão de Melo, Pinheiro de Azevedo, Spínola, Costa Gomes, Diogo Neto and Silvério Marques.Open in the archive
- RTP Arquivos · Video · broadcast on 2 June 1975 · 28 minAbertura solene da Assembleia ConstituinteThe opening session of the Constituent Assembly, at São Bento, opened by Henrique de Barros. President Costa Gomes reads a message to the deputies, who give him a standing ovation.Open in the archive
Sources10
- 1Reunião de Cascais. Comissão Comemorativa 50 Anos 25 de Abril — consulted on 2 October 2026
- 2Período pré-revolução (01-01-1973 a 24-04-1974) – cronologia. Associação 25 de Abril — consulted on 2 October 2026
- 3A Reunião de Óbidos. Comissão Comemorativa 50 Anos 25 de Abril — consulted on 2 October 2026
- 4Operação Viragem Histórica. Comissão Comemorativa 50 Anos 25 de Abril — consulted on 2 October 2026
- 528 de Setembro. Comissão Comemorativa 50 Anos 25 de Abril — consulted on 2 October 2026
- 6A eleição da Assembleia Constituinte. RTP – Memórias da Revolução (textos de Aniceto Afonso, Carlos Matos Gomes e Maria Inácia Rezola) — consulted on 2 October 2026
- 725 de Novembro de 1975. Comissão Comemorativa 50 Anos 25 de Abril — consulted on 2 October 2026
- 8Francisco da Costa Gomes (Q348880). Wikidata — consulted on 2 October 2026
- 9Constituição da República Portuguesa – texto originário, aprovado em 2 de abril de 1976. Assembleia da República — consulted on 2 October 2026
- 10Francisco da Costa Gomes — biografia. Museu da Presidência da República — consulted on 4 October 2026Nasceu em Chaves a 30 de junho de 1914 e morreu no Hospital Militar de Lisboa a 31 de julho de 2001.