Salazar was Minister of Finance in 1926 and from 1928 to 1940, becoming Prime Minister in 1932. A highly controversial personality after the Carnation Revolution of 1974, he was nevertheless considered the "greatest Portuguese" by a large margin of voters in a public contest based on the BBC's 100 Greatest Britons in 2007.
April 28, 1889 - Vimieiro, Santa Comba Dão, Portugal - António de Oliveira Salazar is born
May 16, 1889 - Vimieiro - Baptized
September(?) 1(?), 1896 - Santa Comba Dão - Salazar is enrolled in a public school, 2 km from his parents' house
August 11, 1899 - Viseu, Portugal - Salazar arrives in Viseu to take the Primary Instruction exam
October 1(?), 1900 - Viseu - 11-year-old Salazar wins a free place at Viseu's seminary
September(?) 1(?), 1905 - Viseu - Completes the Preparatory Cycle and begins studying Teology
March 25, 1906 - Viseu - Speaks at the inauguration ceremony of the monument commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Immaculate Conception, in front an audience that included the Bishop of Viseu
February 1, 1908 - While in Viseu - King Carlos I of Portugal and his heir-apparent, Luís Filipe, Prince Royal of Portugal, are assassinated in Lisbon by two members of "Carbonária", an anti-clerical, revolutionary, conspiratorial society
April 12, 1908 - Viseu - The newspaper "A Folha" publishes the article by Salazar entitled "Shameful Contrast". In it he criticized the indifference of Catholics to the gravity of the moment in relation to the Church and the Nation.
June 4, 1908 - Viseu - Publication of the article "conversando" (talking), in which he appealed to the faith of the students
October 1(?), 1908 - Viseu - Salazar finishes his Teology studies as the 1st in his class. He is invited to become a teacher at the "Via Sacra" religious school in Viseu. He teaches Literature, History and Mathematics there until 1910
December 1, 1909 - Viseu - The director of Via Sacra College asks him to give a public lecture on the future of Portugal
August 1(?), 1910 - Viseu - Speaker at the Conferece "Youth Education"
October 1(?), 1910 - Coimbra - Enrolls at the University of Coimbra to study law
October 5, 1910 - While in Coimbra - Implantation of the Republic in Portugal
June 1(?), 1911 - Viseu - Returns to Viseu for a German language exam and is approved
October 1(?), 1911 - Coimbra - Returns to Coimbra after an illness. At the University he becomes close friend with Father Gonçalves Cerejeira, future Cardinal and head of the Catholic Church in Portugal
March 14, 1912 - Coimbra - Publishes the article "sorrows do not pay debts", contrasting the vision of Pope Leo XIII with the reality of republican Portugal
October 1(?), 1912 - Coimbra - While studying Law, Salazar enrolls in the Modern Languages College to study English language and literature
December 8, 1912 - Coimbra - Public statement at the Academic Center for Christian Democracy (CADC)
August 15, 1913 - Coimbra - The Congregation of the Law College awards him a prize
October 21, 1913 - Coimbra - The Congregation of the Law College awards him another prize
May 2, 1914 - Porto, Portugal - Speaks at the Second Congress of Catholic Youth in Porto, on the theme "Democracy and the Church"
August 15, 1914 - Coimbra - The Law College Council awards Salazar the awards for Colonial Administration, Special Proceedings, Extra-Judicial Practice, Criminal Procedure and International Law
November 4, 1914 - Coimbra - Graduates with distinction, specialized in finance and economic policy
August 8, 1915 - While in Coimbra - Foundation of the Portuguese Catholic Center (CCP) in Braga
November 27, 1915 - Coimbra - Positions for new professors at the University of Coimbra are opened. For this purpose, candidates had to present a paper and a dissertation topic. Salazar applies and chooses "the Cereal Question. The Wheat"
March 16, 1916 - Coimbra - Invited to become the regent of economic policy and Finances at the Law School =(START)
March 31, 1917 - Coimbra - Salazar is appointed Assistant teacher after presenting a second work titled "Ágio de Ouro" (Golden Capital gain)
April 25, 1917 - While in Coimbra - The Head of Government resigns and was replaced by Afonso Costa, who was in favor of Portugal's participation in World War 1 and who takes over the government
March 1(?), 1918 - Coimbra - Declared unfit for military service
May 10, 1918 - Coimbra - 29-year-old Salazar is awarded his Law doctorate
December 14, 1918 - While in Coimbra - President Sidónio Pais is assassinated in Rossio Train Station (Lisbon) by a left-wing activist
March 14, 1919 - Coimbra - Salazar and 3 other professors at the University of Coimbra are suspended on charges of spreading monarchical propaganda
March 24, 1919 - Coimbra - A new judge is appointed to carry out the investigation and hear witnesses
April 7, 1919 - Coimbra - Salazar presents his written defense
November 22, 1919 - Lisbon - Attends the second National Congress of the Portuguese Catholic Center (CCP)
July 1(?), 1921 - Coimbra - Salazar presents himself again for the elections for Guimarães
July 25, 1921 - Lisbon - Attends the opening session of Parliament
July 26, 1921 - Coimbra - Returns to Coimbra
August 1(?), 1921 - Minho region, NW Portugal - Five-day vacation trip in the northwestern region of Minho
October 19, 1921 - While in Coimbra - "Bloody Night" - A military revolt brakes. The head of the Government, António Granjo, presents his resignation, but the President of the Republic , António José de Almeida, does not appoint a new executive. In this stalemate environment, on the night of October 19th to 20th, a group of civilians and military personnel, led by navy corporal Abel Olímpio, known as The "Golden Tooth", conducts the events of the so-called Bloody Night. A truck – the "ghost truck" – travels through Lisbon in search of various figures of the republican regime, who, forced into the vehicle, are later executed. In the "Bloody Night", among others, the Prime-Minister, António Granjo, and two protagonists of the Revolution of October 5, 1910, Machado Santos and Carlos da Maia, are murdered.
April 29, 1922 - Lisbon - Attends the two-day Congress of the Portuguese Catholic Center (CCP)
May 13, 1922 - Coimbra - Accepts the invitation to participate in the editorial staff of the Journal of Legislation and Jurisprudence
August 17, 1922 - Figueira da Foz - Goes to the coastal town of Figueira da Foz with his mother and sisters
August 26, 1922 - Vimieiro - Returns to Vimieiro after his mother falls ill and stays there the rest of the year
March 1(?), 1923 - Coimbra - Returns to Coimbra
July 4, 1924 - Braga, Portugal - Attends the National Eucharistic Congress where he speaks on "The Peace of Christ in the working class through the most holy Eucharist"
November 10, 1924 - Ávila, Spain - Travels to Ávila, Spain, where he spends two days
November 12, 1924 - Toledo, Spain - Spends a day at the Escorial, Toledo
November 13, 1924 - Madrid, Spain - Arrives in Madrid for a four-day stay
November 17, 1924 - Ávila, Spain - Spends another day in Ávila on his return
November 18, 1924 - Salamanca, Spain - Two-day visit to Salamanca on his return
November 20, 1924 - Coimbra - Returns to Portugal
March 31, 1925 - Lisbon - Salazar departs for Madeira Island to speak at two conferences
April 2, 1925 - Funchal, Madeira Island - Salazar arrives in Funchal
April 4, 1925 - Funchal - Conference "Secularism and Liberty"
April 6, 1925 - Funchal - Conference "Bolshevism and the Congregation"
April 16, 1925 - Lisbon - Returns to Lisbon
June 14, 1925 - Coimbra - Inaugural speech at the 10th Congress of the Spanish Association for the Progress of Sciences
May 28, 1926 - While in Coimbra - Coup d'état of the Army against the dying Republic, led by General Gomes da Costa, initially from Braga, then in the "slow march to Lisbon". President Bernardino Machado asks one of the revolutionary leaders, José Mendes Cabeçadas, a navy officer, to form government
June 4, 1926 - Lisbon - Salazar travels by train to Lisbon with two colleagues from Coimbra: Mendes dos Remédios (Public instruction) and Manuel Rodrigues (Justice), to meet with General Gomes da Costa and Mendes Cabeçadas. Unlike his colleagues, who take office immediately, Salazar doesn't like what he sees and decides to return to Coimbra, citing health reasons.
June 6, 1926 - While in Coimbra - General Gomes da Costa enters Lisbon at the head of a significant number of troops
June 10, 1926 - Coimbra - Mendes dos Remédios travels to Coimbra to try to persuade Salazar
June 12, 1926 - Lisbon - Salazar travels with Mendes dos Remédios to Lisbon, where a large delegation awaits them. After an interview with Mendes Cabeçadas, Salazar goes to the Ministry of Finance, where he takes office behind closed doors.
June 17, 1926 - Lisbon - Army officers and Gomes da Costa force the resignation of Mendes Cabeçadas. The three civil ministers (including Salazar) resign en bloc
June 18, 1926 - Coimbra - Salazar returns to Coimbra
July 9, 1926 - While in Coimbra - General Gomes da Costa is removed from power and goes into exile in the Azores
July 24, 1926 - Coimbra - Establishment of a commission to "elaborate the basis for the review and remodeling of State contributions and taxes, with the exception of customs". The presidency of this commission was attributed to Salazar
November 30(?), 1926 - Coimbra - Back in Coimbra
November 17, 1926 - Vimieiro - Maria do Resgate Salazar dies. Her son stays with her during her last nine days
February 3, 1927 - While in Coimbra - Military uprisings in Porto and Lisbon
February 7, 1927 - While in Coimbra - More military uprisings in Porto and Lisbon
June 30, 1927 - Lisbon - Presents his report on the reform of the tax system
July 1(?), 1927 - Coimbra - Interview with the newspaper "Diário de Notícias" on taxation, getting huge praise
August 12, 1927 - While in Coimbra - Attempted presidential coup in Lisbon
August 15(?), 1927 - Paris, France - Salazar, Cerejeira and Beleza dos Santos, an academic, travel abroad. Arrival in Paris
August 20(?), 1927 - Brussels, Belgium - Arrives in Brussels
August 25(?), 1927 - Liège, Belgium - Attends a Congress of the "Association Catholique de la Jeunesse Belge" (Belgian Catholic Youth Association)
September(?) 1(?), 1927 - Coimbra - Returns to Portugal (speculative date)
November 30, 1927 - Coimbra - Critic of the country's financial situation, until the 21st of December, publishes an article in 7 parts, "State Accounts: Management of 1926-1927", referring that at least, and contrary to what was usual, the real tax revenue related to the previous fiscal year had exceeded the forecast, which suggested that the budget had been a prudent and serious document: "And I won't dwell on the praise any longer, because it seems to me that I had some personal responsibility in it."
January 3, 1928 - Coimbra - Publishes an article in the newspaper "Novidades" on the effects of an international loan application
February 10, 1928 - Coimbra - Publishes the article "Deficit or superavit?"
March 18, 1928 - Coimbra - Speech before the Coimbra Workers' Union, under the theme "Two Economies"
April 19, 1928 - While in Coimbra - New Prime-Minister Colonel Vicente de Freitas communicates to the press that he is thinking of Salazar to Finance Minister.
April 26, 1928 - Lisbon - Arrives in Lisbon for talks with Vicente de Freitas
April 27, 1928 - Lisbon - Takes over as finance minister for the second time, on the eve of his39th birthday
May 8, 1928 - Lisbon - In the Council of Ministers, he informs his fellow ministers of the measures he intends to take. The next day, he calls the press
May 15, 1928 - Lisbon - Letter to Cerejeira, congratulating him for becoming a Cardinal
May 20, 1928 - Lisbon - First meeting of the Council for Budget Reform, an entity aimed at reducing expenditure in Public Administration
July 31, 1928 - Lisbon - A budget presented foresaw a surplus of 1,576,000 portuguese "escudos"
November 1(?), 1928 - While in Lisbon - "The Times" publishes an article praising him
February 1(?), 1929 - While in Lisbon - "The Times" publishes another article praising him
May 28, 1932 - Lisbon - Salazar is awarded the Great Cross of the Military Order of the Tower and Sword
June 28, 1932 - Lisbon - Salazar is invited to become the Prime-Minister (starts his new duties on July 7)
July 2, 1932 - While in Lisbon - King Manuel II dies in exile
March 19, 1933 - Lisbon - The corporatist constitution is approved in the national portuguese constitutional referendum
August 1(?), 1933 - While in Lisbon - A commerce Treaty is signed with Brazil in Rio de Janeiro
October 22, 1933 - Lisbon - The PVDE (State Surveillance and Defense Police) is formed
February 21, 1935 - Lisbon - Prize distribution session of the National Propaganda Secretariat, at which the poet Fernando Pessoa decided not to be present
March 13, 1935 - While in Lisbon - Article about Salazar in "The Times" of London
September 8, 1936 - Lisbon - Tagus Boat mutiny - communist sailors in the Portuguese Navy's two newest warships revolt, aiming to take part in the Spanish Civil War alongside the Republicans. The revolt fails and the convicted sailors are the first to be sent to the Tarrafal concentration camp in Cape Verde Islands
April 15, 1937 - Lisbon - Salazar receives an "Embassy" of portuguese residents in Brazil
May 25, 1937 - While in Lisbon - "Como se Levanta um Estado" (How to Raise a State), a book written by Salazar in 1936, is published, to be the «visiting card» of the Portugal pavilion at the Paris International Exhibition. In the book, Salazar criticised the Nuremberg Laws passed in 1935 in Germany, considering it regrettable that German nationalism was "wrinkled by racial characteristics so well marked," which had imposed "the legal point of view, the distinction between citizens and the subject – and this at the risk of dangerous consequences
July 4, 1937 - Lisbon - Two syndicalists attempt to assassinate Salazar. As he steps out of his limousine, a bomb explodes just 3 meters from him. Incredibly, the blast leaves him untouched, but his chauffer is rendered deaf
March 17, 1939 - Lisbon - A Portuguese-Spanish Treaty of Friendship and Non-Aggression, known as the Iberian Pact, is signed in Lisbon, just a few days before the end of the Spanish Civil War
September 1, 1939 - Lisbon - At the start of World War II, the Portuguese Government announced that the 600-year-old Anglo-Portuguese Alliance remained intact, but that since the British did not seek Portuguese assistance, Portugal was free to remain neutral in the war and would do so
September 5, 1939 - While in Lisbon - In an aide-mémoire, the British Government confirms the understanding
January 1, 1940 - Lisbon - Portugal's budget surplus amounts to 20 million pounds sterling, more than the country had received in 1928 with an international loan.
January 29, 1940 - Lisbon - Signing of an additional protocol to the Treaty of Friendship and Non-Aggression, in an attempt to ensure Spain's neutrality
May 15, 1940 - While in Lisbon - Britain recognises Salazar's important role when Douglas Veale, Registrar of the University of Oxford, informs him that the University's Hebdomadal Council had "unanimously decided at its meeting last Monday, to invite him [Salazar] to accept the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Civil Law"
May 20, 1940 - Lisbon - Arrival of the extraordinary embassy of Brazil, led by Francisco José Pinto, Chief of Staff of the Provisional Government of Getúlio Vargas
June 20, 1940 - Lisbon - Official opening of the Brazil pavilion at the "Portuguese World Exhibition" - Speech by Francisco José Pinto
June 26, 1940 - Lisbon - Four days after France's capitulation to Germany, Salazar authorised the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS-HICEM) in Paris to transfer its main office to Lisbon.
July 21, 1940 - While in Lisbon - About 2,500 Gibraltarian refugees, mostly women and children, start arriving at Funchal (Madeira). They would remain there until the end of the war.
July 29, 1940 - While in Lisbon - A "Life magazine" article of July 1940 that praised Salazar's work on behalf of the Portuguese nation commented, "this year, for [the] first time in centuries, Portugal is important to America. It is the funnel through which to pour all the exchanges – of people and messages and diplomacy – between America and Europe. The war, by cutting the lines of intercourse to Northern Europe, has made Portugal what [one might say] geography intended – not a faraway corner of Europe but its front door."
August 14, 1940 - Lisbon - Departure of the extraordinary embassy of Brazil
September 24, 1940 - While in Lisbon - Winston Churchill writes to Salazar to congratulate him for his policy of keeping Portugal out of the war, avowing that "as so often before during the many centuries of the Anglo-Portuguese alliance, British and Portuguese interests are identical on this vital question."
May 6, 1941 - While in Lisbon - US Senator Claude Pepper defends the occupation of the Azores and Cape Verde
May 15, 1941 - Lisbon - Salazar signs an economic agreement with german diplomat Von Hoyningen-Huene
July 8, 1941 - Lisbon - Letter from Franklin Roosevelt, assuring him that it was in the interests of the United States that the Azores and other distant possessions remain under Portuguese control
July 29, 1941 - Lisbon - Letter to Franklin Roosevelt
February 11, 1942 - Seville, Spain - Salazar arrives in Seville
February 12, 1942 - Seville - Meetings with General Francisco Franco and Serrano Suñer
February 14, 1942 - Lisbon - Returns to Lisbon with Nicolás Franco
February 19, 1942 - While in Lisbon - The portuguese overseas territory of Timor is invaded by Japanese forces
August 22, 1942 - Lisbon - Disappointment with Brazil's entry into the war against the Axis
August 17, 1943 - Lisbon - The British request to use the Azores for their anti-submarine operations. Salazar accepts
October 7, 1943 - Vilar Formoso, Portugal-Spain border - Salazar departs from Vimieiro to the spanish border to secretly inform Count Jordana, Chief of Spanish diplomacy, of what was negotiated with the Allies
November 1(?), 1943 - While in Lisbon - The british begin using Lajes Airbase for anti-submarine operations
April 28, 1944 - Lisbon - Letter from Cardinal Cerejeira on his 55th birthday
May 1(?), 1944 - While in Lisbon - Washington turns to Brazilian diplomacy for Portugal to stop selling wolfram to Germany
October 1(?), 1945 - Lisbon - Salazar announces a liberalisation program designed to restore civil rights that had been suppressed during the Spanish Civil War and World War II in hopes of improving the image of his regime in Western circles. The measures included parliamentary elections, a general political amnesty, restoration of freedom of the press, curtailment of legal repression and a commitment to introduce the right of habeas corpus. The regime starts to organise itself around a broad coalition, the Movement of Democratic Unity (MUD), which ranged from ultra-Catholics and fringe elements of the extreme right to the Portuguese Communist Party. Initially, the MUD was controlled by the moderate opposition, but it soon became strongly influenced by the Communist Party, which controlled its youth wing.
October 22, 1945 - Lisbon - The PVDE becomes PIDE (International and State Defense Police), mostly known for its secret police activities
July 23, 1947 - Belém | Sintra, Portugal - Lunch with Eva Perón and President Carmona
January 1(?), 1948 - Lisbon - The MUD (Movement of Democratic Unity) is outlawed by the government
April 9, 1949 - While in Lisbon - Portugal signs the North Atlantic Treaty
February 27, 1950 - While in Lisbon - The Government of India asks the Portuguese government to open negotiations about the future of Portuguese colonies in India. Portugal asserts that its territory on the Indian subcontinent is not a colony but part of metropolitan Portugal and hence its transfer is non-negotiable, and that India has no rights to this territory because the Republic of India did not exist at the time when Goa came under Portuguese rule (wikipedia)
April 14, 1952 - Ciudad Rodrigo, Spain - Salazar travels to Ciudad Rodrigo for a meeting with General Franco
April 15, 1952 - Santa Comba Dão, Portugal - Returns to Portugal
June 11, 1953 - Lisbon - The Indian government withraws its diplomatic mission from Lisbon
November 16, 1953 - While in Lisbon - A Treaty of Friendship and Consultation (about portuguese descolonization in Africa) between Portugal and Brazil is signed in Rio de Janeiro
August 2, 1954 - While in Lisbon - Portuguese forces stationed in Dadra and Nagar Haveli surrender
September 1, 1955 - While in Lisbon - India shuts its consul office in Goa
February 18, 1957 - Lisbon - Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain arrives in Lisbon for a 3-day
visit. Salazar welcomes the Queen
Queen Elizabeth and Salazar (source: tsf.pt) |
April 28, 1957 - Lisbon - 68th anniversary - Salazar retires from Professor at the University of Coimbra
May 10, 1958 - Lisbon - Presidential candidate General Humberto Delgado is interviewed in the "Chave d'Ouro Café". When asked what would be his attitude towards Salazar, Delgado says "Obviamente, demito-o!" (Obviously, I'll sack him!)
June 8, 1958 - Lisbon - Portuguese presidential election: The official tally was 76.4 percent for Américo Thomaz and 23.6 percent for Delgado. The regime's secret police force, PIDE, harassed and attacked Delgado voters and supporters, and there were many reports of widespread electoral fraud. For example, Salazar refused to allow opposition representatives to observe the counting of ballots (wikipedia)
January 12, 1959 - Lisbon - Humberto Delgado takes refuge in the Brazilian Embassy
March 7, 1959 - Lisbon - Letter to Juscelino Kubitchek, President of Brazil
April 20, 1959 - Lisbon - Humberto Delgado departs for Brazil
May 19, 1960 - Lisbon - Eisenhower makes an official visit to Portugal. Salazar welcomes the
American president
Salazar and Eisenhower (source: dn.pt) |
February 4, 1961 - While in Lisbon - 250 MPLA (Angola) guerrillas unsucessfully attack Luanda's fortress prison in an attempt to free "political prisoners"
March 15, 1961 - While in Lisbon - The UPA (Union of the Populations of Angola) launches an incursion into the Bakongo region of Northern Angola with 4,000-5,000 insurgents, unleashing an orgy of violence and destruction, killing and raping everyone they encountered, mostly women and children
June 9, 1961 - While in Lisbon - United Nations Security Council Resolution 163, calling upon the portuguese to desist from repressive measures and to extend every facility to the Sub-Committee on the situation in Angola
August 1, 1961 - While in Lisbon - The Republic of Dahomey (Benin) demands the withdrawal of the Portuguese from the Fort of S. João Baptista de Ajudá (Ouidah) and the Portuguese representative sets fire to the fort
December 14, 1961 - Lisbon - Salazar sends a message to Governor General of Portuguese India, Manuel António Vassalo e Silva, ordering the portuguese forces in Goa to fight to the last man
December 17, 1961 - While in Lisbon - Indian forces invade the three territories of Portuguese India: Goa, Daman and Diu
December 19, 1961 - While in Lisbon - Vassalo e Silva signs the instrument of surrender, ending 451 years of Portuguese rule in India
January 3, 1962 - Lisbon - Salazar addresses the Portuguese National Assembly: "We can not negotiate, not without denying and betraying our own, the cession of national territory and the transfer of populations that inhabit them to foreign sovereigns"
May 15, 1963 - Madrid, Spain - Meeting with General Francisco Franco in Madrid
July 31, 1963 - While in Lisbon - United Nations Security Council Resolution 180, affirmed that Portugal claiming its overseas territories as part of metropolitan Portugal was contrary to the principles of the Charter. The Council deemed Portugal's actions and attitude as seriously disturbing to peace and security in Africa
September 25, 1964 - While in Lisbon - FRELIMO carries out the first attack against Portuguese targets in Chai, Cabo Delgado Province, Mozambique
February 13, 1965 - While in Lisbon - Humberto Delgado and his brazilian secretary Arajaryr Moreira de Campos are lured into an ambush by the secret police (PIDE) near the border town of Olivença (Olivenza, Spain) and killed
August 6, 1966 - Lisbon - Inauguration of the Salazar Bridge (Today, 25th of April) over River Tagus
August 3, 1968 - Fort of Saint Anthony of Barra, Estoril - Salazar suffers a brain hemorrhage when he falls in a bath
September 27, 1968 - Lisbon - President Américo Thomaz appoints Marcello Caetano to replace Salazar as Prime-Minister
February 5, 1969 - Lisbon - Salazar leaves hospital and returns home
July 27, 1970 - Lisbon - António de Oliveira Salazar dies, aged 81 =(END)