Monthly Newsletter - August 2008

HISTORY:

While Spain was the first to step foot on the rich Brazilian soil in January 1500, the 1494 Treaty of Tordesillas had already divided the Americas between Spain and Portugal.  In May 1500, Portuguese explorer Pedro Álvares Cabral became the official discoverer of Brazil and the first settlement (São Vicente) was established 32 years later. Over the course of three centuries, the Portuguese managed to drive away the indigenous peoples while becoming wealthy off of their land with sugar plantations, lumber cultivation, and mining of natural resources.

Now referred to as the "Founder of the Brazilian Nationality" by historians, the seventeenth king of Portugal Dom João VI fled Lisbon during Napoleon’s invasion and established Rio de Janeiro as the capital of the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarve. During his 13-year reign in Brazil, he opened ports to free trade and created many national establishments. In 1821, Dom João returned to Portugal to oversee the newly formed constitutional government created by the peaceful revolution of August 24, 1820, leaving behind his 23 year-old son, Pedro, to rule the colony. At the time, Latin America was filled with revolutions and a yearning for liberation; with an emerging Nationalist group, Pedro recognized that Brazil would soon follow the trend. On September 7, 1822, Pedro declared Brazil’s independence in a bloodless and dramatic display on the banks of the Ipiranga River in São Paulo. Legend has it that he ripped the Portuguese blue and white emblem from his uniform, drew his sword, and pledged: “By my blood, by my honor, and by God: I will make Brazil free”. “Independência ou Morte!” (Independence or Death) he cried.

CELEBRATION:

For the last 186 years Brazil has proudly and passionately celebrated its Independence Day with a distinctively Brazilian festive spirit. Annually, thousands assemble in the streets with balloons, banners, and streamers to celebrate Brazil’s most important national holiday. The flag is flown in great honor as a symbol of Brazil’s democracy and success as a nation. School children partake in the patriotic parade through the streets and the celebration is held the whole day with people of all ages joining in the festivities. As night falls, the sky is ignited in a spectacular display of fireworks as Brazil wraps up another year of independence.
This year, you can take part in the celebrations in September with our customized tour package of São Paolo, a sophisticated city today teeming with energy and culture.

by Stephanie Byrd

Source:
Gosouthamerica.com
123independenceday.com

PAST NEWSLETTERS:

• Newsletter July 2008
• Newsletter June 2008
• Newsletter May 2008
• Newsletter April 2008
• Newsletter February 2008
• Newsletter January 2008