On December 8, 1994, the musical world lost one of the most illustrious representatives of Brazilian sound art, Antônio Carlos Brasileiro de Almeida Jobim, known worldwide as Tom Jobim, one of the mentors of bossa nova. Recognized for his musical excellence and refinement, he passed away at the age of 67 in New York, victim of a heart failure. His stay in the city was for treatment for bladder cancer.
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.
On November 15, 1889, Manuel Deodoro da Fonseca, a military figure and politician, declared the Republic of Brazil through a coup d’état. As the first president in the country’s history, his tenure was marked by considerable political and economic instability.
On November 10, 1937, Getúlio Vargas declared, in a nationwide radio address, that Brazil was under a new regime of government, the Estado Novo (New State). Characterized by the centralization of power, nationalism, anti-communism, and authoritarianism, the Estado Novo lasted until 1945 when Getúlio was overthrown by the Armed Forces.
Renato Russo, a singer, songwriter, bassist, and leader of Legião Urbana, passed away on October 11, 1996, in Rio de Janeiro, due to AIDS-related complications. Born on March 27, 1960, in Rio, he moved to Brasília at the age of nine. His musical career included stints with the band Aborto Elétrico and the iconic Legião Urbana, where he recorded nine albums. Renato also released three solo works.
On October 1, 1977, Pelé bid his official farewell to professional football while playing for the New York Cosmos, a team in the NASL of the United States, against Santos, the Brazilian club where he achieved fame and success.
On September 18, 1865, the surrender of the Paraguayan Lieutenant Colonel Antonio de la Cruz Estigarribia took place in the presence of Emperor Dom Pedro II of Brazil and the Presidents Bartolomé Mitre of Argentina and Venancio Flores in Rio Grande do Sul, thereby concluding the first phase of the Paraguayan War. Although the surrender could have marked the end of the conflict, Brazil insisted on the death of Solano López, prolonging the conflict further.
On September 13, 1987, the radiological accident in Goiânia began, known as the Cesium-137 accident, a serious episode of radioactivity contamination in Brazil. The accident started when scrap metal collectors discovered a radiotherapy device containing Cesium-137, which they mistakenly believed to be scrap.
On September 7, 1822, on the banks of the Ipiranga River in São Paulo, an important chapter in the history of Brazil was written with the “Cry of Ipiranga.” It was at this moment that Dom Pedro I proclaimed the political independence of Brazil from Portugal, using the memorable words “Independence or Death.” This event marked the end of Portuguese rule in Brazilian territory, becoming a milestone in national history.
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.
