On November 29, 1807, the long journey of the Portuguese royal family to Brazil began. A total of around 14 ships carrying 15,000 people departed from Portugal. The vessels were escorted by English ships along the way.
The Portuguese court was already in Rio de Janeiro, having fled from the Napoleonic troops, with Queen Maria passing away on March 20, 1816, and the Prince Regent, João VI, becoming the king. Unlike previous kings, who had been crowned shortly after the death of their predecessor, João VI chose to wait a year for his coronation ceremony.
The news of Brazil’s independence from Portugal was not celebrated in all provinces. After the proclamation, Emperor Dom Pedro I had a difficult time quelling the various revolts that occurred during the independence process. At the moment when he declared Brazil’s independence, the governments and troops of some provinces were led to express their unwavering loyalty to King Dom João VI.
Cachaça is a Brazilian distilled alcoholic beverage made from the fermentation and distillation of sugarcane juice. It is one of the most traditional drinks in Brazil and is often compared to sugarcane brandy or rum, although it has distinct characteristics.
The equestrian statue of King Dom João VI in Praça XV in the city of Rio de Janeiro was offered in 1965, during the IV Centenary of the Founding of the City of Rio de Janeiro, by the Portuguese government as a tribute to the King of Portugal, who lived in Brazil from 1808 to 1821. Dom João VI was a Portuguese monarch who played a significant role in the history of Brazil during the early 19th century. He was born in 1767 and became the Prince Regent of Portugal in 1799 due to the insanity of his mother, Queen Dona Maria I. His stay in Brazil and his subsequent elevation to the status of king had several historical implications.
On August 31, 1763, Rio de Janeiro became the capital of Brazil, replacing Salvador. This capital status was maintained until 1960 when Brasília assumed the role of the government’s headquarters.
The oldest institution of its kind in Brazil, alongside the Law School of Recife, owes its origins to an imperial decree signed in 1827. The original building, in a Baroque style, was inaugurated on September 17, 1647.
Throughout history, cities have undergone transformational changes, shedding old practices and embracing new ones. The city of Rio de Janeiro, with its rich tapestry of memories, is no exception to this phenomenon. Within its boundaries lie numerous examples of places and practices that have faded into the past, and among these, the Matadouro da Cidade (City Slaughterhouse) stands out as a poignant reminder of bygone eras.
The Independence of Brazil, which occurred on September 7, 1822, represents a fundamental moment in the country’s history. On that day, Prince Regent Dom Pedro I proclaimed Brazil as an independent nation from Portugal, marking the end of over three centuries of colonial rule and the beginning of a new journey towards freedom and sovereignty.
