Under the command of Colonel Georgios Papadopoulos, the military forces arbitrarily implement a NATO coup plan developed for Greece in the event of a communist overthrow; in just one night, the military seizes power.

Portugal became the home of Europe's longest right-wing dictatorship; until 1974, the Estado Novo, the New State ruled the country for over four decades, with Antonio de Oliveira Salazar at the top.