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 origin of the name “Brazil” is a complex story that dates back to the early encounters between Europeans and native peoples in the newly discovered lands. The word has its roots in the term “pau-brasil,” a valuable tree found in the region and exploited by the Portuguese. The exploitation of pau-brasil was so significant that it ended up giving its name to the country, which came to be called the “Land of Brazil.” This name was officially established with the arrival of the first Governor-General of Brazil, Tomé de Sousa, in 1549. The linguistic, cultural, and historical influence of these events continues to this day, making “Brazil” an iconic name that represents the nation and its rich heritage.
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.
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 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.
Discover the official language of Brazil! In Brazil, the official and spoken language is Portuguese. The reason Portuguese is the predominant language in the country dates back to the period of colonization by the Portuguese in the 16th century. The linguistic history of Brazil is closely linked to the arrival of Portuguese colonizers led by Pedro Álvares Cabral in 1500. From that moment, the contact between the Portuguese and the indigenous populations, as well as the introduction of the colonial system, were crucial for the influence of the Portuguese language in the region.
