Coup D'etat

On March 31 and April 1, 1964, the democratically elected Brazilian President Joao Goulart was overthrown in a coup d'etat by branches of the Brazilian military.  It would be twenty-one years before democracy was restored.    

The coup was supported by the United States government.  I heard an audio recording of President Lyndon Baines Johnson discussing his authorization for the use of American troops to invade Brazil if necessary to assist the new junta.  I'm glad it didn't happen.

My wife, Cristina Rolim, was a twelve year-old girl on those fateful days in her country's history, living in a city in the interior of the State of Sao Paulo.  I am thankful my country, the USA, has never had such an experience.

About six years later, a unit of Brazilian soldiers came to Cristina's home town looking for political subversives.  They camped out in a public square in the center of the city.  Many of them were young good-looking men of Cristina's age or a little older.

Selma, a friend of Cristina's, who had access to a car, invited Cristina and two other friends to go along with her for a joy ride.  It was 8:00 PM (and dark out) when the four girls drove off for an unforgettable experience.  

They went to the public square hoping to engage in conversation some of the young soldiers camped there.  Selma drove around and around the square several times before they finally got the young men's attention.  

Five soldiers then surrounded the car, one in front and two on each side.  They pointed their guns at each of the four girls.  Cristina was sitting in the back seat with a revolver aimed directly at her head.  I can't imagine!  

Each of the girls was asked for identification.  Cristina didn't have any with her, so soldiers escorted her home.  She sneaked in hoping not to alert her parents who would have been very upset.  Cristina succeeded.  The girls were warned not to return to the square.  And they didn't.  

Their joy ride didn't turn out the way they hoped.  At least today Cristina can laugh about her adventure in the back seat of a car when she was just eighteen years-old.