1974 — Portugal Recognizes Guinea-Bissau's Freedom

On September 10, 1974, Portugal formally recognized the independence of Guinea-Bissau, ending more than a decade of guerrilla war. The PAIGC had unilaterally declared independence on September 24, 1973, but Portugal only conceded after its own Carnation Revolution toppled the dictatorship in Lisbon, and the Algiers Accord sealed the recognition.

The liberation struggle had been led until his assassination in 1973 by the renowned theorist Amílcar Cabral. Guinea-Bissau became the first of Portugal's African colonies to achieve recognized independence, and its freedom opened the door for Mozambique, Angola, Cape Verde, and São Tomé and Príncipe, all freed the following year.