The Candelária Rally, a major public protest demanding direct elections in the country, was a watershed moment during the re-democratization process in Brazil, which had been governed by the military dictatorship since 1964. Jornal do Brasil notes that the rally, held on April 10, 1984, brought 800,000 people to the streets. It began at 4 P.M. and lasted until 10 P.M., closing with participants – including TV presenters, artists, and musicians – singing the national anthem. The newspaper reports that Leonel Brizola, governor of Rio at the time, “reminded the crowd that the marches in 1964 for the removal of João Goulart from the presidency represented a desire for change, and that the protests today have the same meaning.”
The politicians present at the demonstration represented hope for change and an amendment to political rights written by Representative Dante de Oliveira (PMDB-MT), which would establish direct elections. The amendment would be voted on two weeks later. According to the newspaper, however, politician Ulysses Guimarães did not hide the fact that the amendment needed more support from congress to be approved. Indeed, there were not enough yes votes, and the amendment did not pass. The 1985 election took place through an indirect congressional vote.