File number: brmd0005

© South American Pictures/ Tony Morrison

Brazil: Rio de Janeiro, April 1984. Towards the end of the military dictatorship that began in 1964 people were demanding an open election [Diretas]. Crowds of up to a million gathered in the centre of the city distributing leaflets. Eventually the generals caved in. Less than twelve months later in January 1985 the first civilian president for over twenty years was elected.