at a glance

the forte de copacabana, however, was already occupied by revolutionaries - the government's ultimatum to these rebels was to either surrender or suffer the consequences of death. the rebel officers allowed the enlisted men to leave. the remaining officers were all lieutenants. 

they then marched out of the forte, each man carrying a piece of the brazilian flag, and headed towards the presidential palace - the palácio do catete (catete palace) in order to present their demands for social and political reform.

they were surrounded by loyalist troops and only two of the eighteen survived the republican attack. the lieutenants' efforts that day became legendary forever to be known as the revolt of the eighteen. in 1930, the ruling republic was eventually overthrown and the lieutenants became national heroes.