Demonstrations: 1932–69

Volunteers from the Piratininga Battalion set off for the Paraíba Valley in São Paulo State to confront federal troops loyal to Getúlio Vargas' government, in what would become known as the 1932 Constitutionalist Revolution.

The conflict began on July 9, in the wake of several rallies in São Paulo calling for a new Brazilian constitution and the removal of Vargas from the presidency. On October 2, São Paulo surrendered to the federal forces, ending a conflict that had left 934 dead.

Students demand President Getúlio Vargas's resignation as they march through the city of São Paulo. In November, Getúlio would be removed from office, bringing to an end the Estado Novo (New State or Third Brazilian Republic), a dictatorial regime imposed by the president in 1937, during his first term in office (1930-45).

Despite being authoritarian, Vargas' first term in office still did much to further workers' rights, including introducing the minimum wage and pensions. Other benefits included the work card (carteira de trabalho), which gave workers access to a range of benefits, and the Job Time Guarantee Fund (Fundo de Garantia por Tempo de Serviço), an employer-funded compulsory saving scheme.

Demonstrators gather in Rio de Janeiro's Carioca Square (Largo da Carioca) during a rally by the Queremistas, a movement that was set up in 1945 to support President Getúlio Vargas remaining in office. In January 1951, Getúlio would again be elected president.

Getúlio Dornelles Vargas was Brazil's longest-serving president, leading the country's government for almost 20 years over the course of two terms. During his last term (1951–54), a political crisis fanned by his opponents led him to take his own life on August 24, 1954.

Workers travel by train to the Reforms Rally at Central do Brasil station in Rio de Janeiro, to offer their support to President João Goulart.

At least two trains, one named Vanguard and the other Reform, leave São Paulo for Rio de Janeiro, carrying around 2,000 workers to the rally.

In response to the Reforms Rally, thousands of people gathered opposite the cathedral in downtown São Paulo for the March of Families with God for Freedom (Marcha da Família com Deus pela Liberdade). The protest took place on March 19, the same day as the Feast of Saint Joseph, the patron saint of families.

With a wide range of banners in support of morality, order, and anti-communism, the march's main target was President Goulart. Weeks later, on March 31, 1964, he would be overthrown by a military coup backed by the US and the Brazilian elite.

Trade unionists and students protest about the drop in wages at a tumultuous event held to celebrate Labor Day in downtown São Paulo's Cathedral Square (Praça da Sé).

During widespread trouble, eggs, stones, and pieces of wood were thrown at the São Paulo governor, Roberto Costa de Abreu Sodré, who had to take refuge inside the city's cathedral.

On June 26, 1968, thousands of demonstrators took to the streets in downtown Rio de Janeiro for the March of the Hundred Thousand (Passeata dos Cem Mil). The resistance movement against the military regime was led by the National Students Union (União Nacional dos Estudantes).

When Institutional Act No. 5 (or AI-5) was passed in December 1968, Brazil was about to enter one of the darkest periods in its history. The act legalized censorship of the arts and the press, and the withdrawal of political rights, as well as authorizing the imprisonment, torture, and even murder of opponents.

Hundreds of students were arrested during the 30th National Students Union Convention in the inland town of Ibiúna, in São Paulo State.

The following day, around 200 students who were on their way to Tiradentes prison in São Paulo were transferred to Carandiru (officially Casa de Detenção de São Paulo)—the detention center in São Paulo's North Zone.