Brazil Independence Day or the Independence Day of Brazil which is also locally referred as 'Sete de Setembro' which means 'Seventh of September', is a national holiday observed in Brazil on 7 September of every year.
The date celebrates Brazil's Declaration of Independence from the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves on 7 September 1822. So it celebrates the end of Portuguese rule in Brazil and gaining its independence.
However after the Independence the monarchy was established in Brazil as the Empire of Brazil and later it was overthrown and we got democratic Brazil however there were some regime changes. Today's Brazil official name is Federative Republic of Brazil.
| Event | Brazil Independence Day |
|---|---|
| Date | September 7, 2022 |
| Day | Wednesday |
| Significance | The date commemorates Brazil's independence from the United Kingdom of Portugal. |
| Observed by | Brazil |
Brazil Independence Day History:
Brazil had a long history even before the discovery of the Americas by the European the country was dominated by various indigenous empires and the most prominent one would be the Inca Empire which ruled a large part of current Brazil's territory for a long time before the discovery of the Americas.
After the conquest of the Americas begin after the discovery of the Americas by Europeans the Portuguese for the first time landed in the 1500s and Brazil was claimed by Pedro Alvares Cabral as a colony of Portugal. In 1532, Sao Vicente was established as the first permanent Portuguese settlement in the area and then in 1549, Salvador was declared as the first capital of Brazil.
Salvador became a major port for sugarcane and slaves trade. Slaves were brought in from Africa to do labor work and, through battles and wars, Brazil was able to expand under the Portuguese rule. The Portuguese took over Rio de Janeiro by defeating the French and captured several Dutch and British extensions and thus whole Brazil became part of Portuguese Empire.
In 1808, French troops commanded by Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte invaded Portugal as a retaliation for the Iberian country's refusal to participate in the trade embargo against the United Kingdom imposed by France. Fleeing persecution, the Portuguese monarchs transferred the Portuguese government from Lisbon to Rio de Janeiro, then capital of Colonial Brazil. In 1815, Prince Regent John VI created the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves, elevating Brazil to the rank of kingdom and increasing its administrative independence.
However after this the Brazilian people demanded the complete independence from the Portugal. And this resulted in a three year long war of Independence that started in February 1822 and went on till March 1824 and during this time only King Dom Pedro I introduced the Declaration of Independence of Brazil from the Portuguese Empire in 7th September 1822.
And as a result the Brazil won its Independence and the Portuguese also were forced to recognize its independence and thus the Empire of Brazil was established and country forms it's own constitution and was recognized by the United States first in 1824 only.
Brazil Independence Day Significance:
Under the colonial rule of Portugal Brazil had been largely exploited as all of the resources of Brazil were plundered greatly by the Portuguese and the most prime example regarding it we can see in the sugar and other plantations which were largely exploited by the Portugal.
And not just that Portugal exploited and looted Brazil from its resources but they also treated Brazilian people with discrimination especially with those who were not of Portuguese descent like the indigenous people and the black people who were brought to Brazil by Portugal during the slave trade as slaves to forcefully make them work.
And so when France under Napoleon invaded Spain and Portugal it gave an nice opportunity to the Latin America to get free and become independent and this this started the war of independence across many Latin American countries and Brazil was no different and thus they decide to fight against the Portuguese Empire.
This day celebrates and also remembers the contributions of Brazilian freedom fighters and all the people as it was an joint effort by both military and civilian population. And they were facing a mighty Portuguese Empire hence it also pays respect to them for their courage and determination to get independent.
It is a day in which Brazilians pay respect to their heroes for granting them independence. And it also works as a reminder to all the Brazilian that they always have to keep their country safe from getting colonized again by invaders and to do that progress and development of the nation is the only way in which all Brazilian must play their specific role.
Brazil Independence Day Celebrations:
Independence Day celebrations are held on a huge level across Brazil. It is a national holiday hence a day-off is given to Brazilian to celebrate their Independence Day grandly and with full joy and enthusiasm. The day is marked with military parades and patriotic performances during the day and fireworks at night in major cities.
In the capital city of Brasilia, the national celebration takes place at the Ministries Esplanade with a civil-military parade in the presence of the President of Brazil, who is also govem the title as the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces. Around 30,000 people attend this event each year. Similar military and civil parades are held in all the state capitals, and in many major cities throughout the country.
The national commemorations innwhich all the events takes place are broadcasted on cable channel TV NBR and public TV station TV Brasil across the country so that everyone can enjoy it. During the national ceremony at Brasilia the President also honors many people in award ceremonies on this day with both military and civilian awards.
Going for picnics and doing other recreational activities like dining, watching cinemas, attending musical concerts and many other activities are a tradition on this day, with thousands of Brazilians gathering on the streets to celebrate together.
Brazil Independence Day is also marked overseas grandly by the Brazilian diaspora population across the world. The most prominent one is the celebrations of the Brazil Independence Day which takes place annually at Times Square in New York.
Most Searched FAQs on Brazil Independence Day:
1. When is Brazil Independence Day is celebrated?
Brazil Independence Day is celebrated annually on 7th September.
2. From whom did Brazil got its independence?
Brazil got its independence from Portugal.
3. What is the official language of Brazil?
The official language of Brazil is Portuguese.