The Brazilian military deposed the legitimate president, the leftist João Goulart, in a bloodless coup. A dictatorship began that would last more than two decades.
Brazil only restored democracy in 1985. At least 8,350 died due to the action or omission of state agents between 1946-1985. The current president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva Lula, has wanted a low-profile 60th anniversary so as not to bother the Armed Forces after the previous president and several general ministers have been accused of coup plotting.