The 7th of September is Brazil’s Independence Day, or, as they say in Brazil, Sete de Setembro! Dom Pedro, son of the Portuguese king Dom Joo VI, was authorised to reign in the event of the king’s death or return to Portugal. Dom Pedro assumed control upon his father’s return to Portugal in 1821, eventually declaring his allegiance to Brazil. The official proclamation of Brazilian independence occurred on September 22, 1822, although Independence Day is now observed on September 7.
Following independence, the monarchy persisted until its eventual overthrow. Throughout today’s festivities, the streets are filled with patriotic Brazilians brandishing flags and banners. Additionally, there is chanting and dancing among family and friends. Salute Brazil!
The background of Brazil Independence Day
Brazil’s political and military history is intricate. Before the arrival of Europeans, Brazil was inhabited by Stone Age tribes. Due to the paucity of written evidence regarding their lifestyle, little is known about these settlements. The Portuguese arrived in 1500, and Pedro lvares Cabral claimed Brazil as a Portuguese colony. So Vicente was established as the first permanent Portuguese settlement in 1532, and Salvador became the first capital of Brazil in 1549. It became an important sugarcane and slave port. Slaves were imported from Africa to perform manual labour, and Brazil was able to expand as a result of battles and conflicts. The Portuguese conquered Rio de Janeiro by vanquishing the French and capturing a number of Dutch and British extensions.
Napoleon attempted to subjugate Europe in the early 18th century. In his absence, French soldiers infiltrated Lisbon. To evade being disposed of, Prince Regent John VI established the Portuguese Royal Court in Rio de Janeiro.
The Portuguese king governed his vast empire from Rio de Janeiro beginning in 1808. After the conclusion of the Independence War in 1822, Brazil proclaimed its independence and ceased to be a Portuguese colony, becoming the Brazilian Empire. Pedro I ruled until 1831, when he abdicated in favour of his five-year-old son, Pedro II. This was followed by years of revolt. In 1889, the Brazilian Republic was established following a military rebellion, and Pedro II was expelled. In 1967, the territory was renamed the Federative Republic of Brazil from the Republic of the United States of Brazil.
5 AWESOME FACTS ABOUT BRAZIL
Recent discoveries indicate that human habitation in Brazil began more than 30,000 years ago.
The name Brazil is derived from the Portuguese word pau-basil, which refers to the native Brazil tree.
Brazil’s most prevalent sport is football.
Seven natural and fourteen cultural UNESCO World Heritage Sites are located in Brazil.
Rio de Janeiro annually hosts the largest funfair in the world during the first week of March.
BRAZIL INDEPENDENCE DAY DATES
Year | Date | Day |
---|---|---|
2023 | September 7 | Thursday |
2024 | September 7 | Saturday |
2025 | September 7 | Sunday |
2026 | September 7 | Monday |
2027 | September 7 | Tuesday |