On March 13, 1964, at the same time that President João Goulart was signing the Basic Reforms decrees – at a huge rally held at Central do Brasil –, the windows of Rio's South Zone filled with candles, in vigil. Beyond the religious gesture, the lit candles were a political act against the president and his 'atheist communism.'
In the middle of March, conservative demonstrations intensified across the country. In Rio de Janeiro, the March of the Family with God for Liberty was scheduled for April 2nd. A march that, besides defending the sacred rosary, aimed to call on the Armed Forces to overthrow the president, freeing Brazil from the 'communist threat.' But the demonstration, which promised to be dramatic and provocative, ended up marching to the tune of the military coup's victory.
It was supposed to be just another March of the Family with God for Freedom, but due to the military coup of March 31, it came to be known as the March of Vitória. Agência O Globo, 04/02/1964.
Image description: The image is a black-and-white photograph of a large demonstration. The crowd is densely packed, with people holding flags and signs. The signs display messages such as "Democracy for Brazil," "Reforms through Congress," and "No to Communism, yes to Democracy." The spatial arrangement shows the participants organized in rows, with the most prominent signs in the center and at the front. Most of the signs stand out, while others are farther back, forming a dense background of human bodies.The coup-mongering impulses of the civic act were fulfilled on the eve, between March 31 and April 1, when general Olímpio Mourão Filho jumped the gun on the conspiracy plotted against Goulart, put tanks on the streets, and deposed the president. To the sound of the bells of Candelária, where the Marcha da Família gathered, the parade went down Rio Branco avenue, celebrating the victorious ‘revolution’.
Marcha da Vitória, which was the Rio de Janeiro version of the Marcha da Família com Deus pela Liberdade. Agência O Globo, 04/02/1964
Image description: This is a black-and-white photograph of a public demonstration. The image shows a densely gathered crowd in the street, with a large building in the background. The crowd includes many people wearing different types of clothing, including suits, dresses, and hats. In the foreground, a person is holding up a sign bearing the text "COM FOGUETES VIRAM A LUA... CONOSCO VIRAM ESTRELAS." The building in front has columns supporting it, with flags hanging above. Scattered pieces of paper litter the ground.The Military Police cavalry, carrying the corporation's flags, opened the procession. Also leading the way were those chiefly responsible for organizing the march: the leaders of the Campanha da Mulher pela Democracia (Women's Campaign for Democracy), a group formed by women linked to the business elite and to the upper clergy of Rio de Janeiro. Behind them, a crowd of approximately 800,000 people, in the largest street demonstration in history up to that point.
Given its commemorative nature, the March of the Family with God for Liberty was called by the press the Marcha da Vitória. Its impressive turnout was understood by the coup plotters as civilian approval for the consolidation of a new government, which would occur days later, with the inauguration of general Humberto Castelo Branco as president of Brazil – marking the beginning of the Military Dictatorship that would last 21 years.
End of the march, at the obelisk on Rio Branco Avenue. Rio de Janeiro, 04/02/1964. CPDOC/FGV/
Image description: This is a color photograph of a large public demonstration. On the left side, we see a monument featuring a prominent statue. In front of it, a crowd of people is gathered, occupying the foreground space. In the center, there is a tall, imposing obelisk. In the background, on the right, are public buildings, including a palace with classical columns. The image was taken during the day, with natural light illuminating the scene.
