The National Flag Day, November 19 , commemorates the date on which the design of the new flag of Brazil was made official after the Proclamation of the Republic. Flag Day is not a public holiday.
The choice of a new flag to represent the country symbolized the historical moment, the achievements and the form of government of the new federative republic.
Brazil flag
The Brazilian flag consists of a green rectangle, on which a yellow diamond and a blue circle are superimposed. It has a white banner with the positivist motto “Order and Progress ”.
In the blue circle are 27 stars, which represent the 26 states and the Federal District. Its layout on the country's flag corresponds to the design of the constellation Cruzeiro do Sul in the city of Rio de Janeiro on the morning of November 15, 1889, the day of the Proclamation of the Republic.
The current Brazilian flag was made official through Decree No. 4, of November 19, 1889.
At first, the flag of republican Brazil was a version of the United States flag in green and yellow. But the model did not please most politicians, who thus sought inspiration in the Imperial Flag that had been made by Jean-Baptiste Debret.
The republican flag was created by Raimundo Teixeira Mendes (1855-1927) and Miguel de Lemos (1854-1917), and executed by the painter Décio Vilares (1851-1931).
National Flag Day Celebrations
On Flag Day, in Brasília (DF), after playing the Anthem to the Flag, the largest national flag in the country is hoisted on the pole of Praça dos Três Poderes. This flag measures 280 square meters.
According to the Constitution, the National Flag, which is the maximum symbol of the country, is hoisted in the morning at public agencies, schools, government departments, etc. In the afternoon, it is lowered so that it does not remain hoisted during the night. If this happens, the national flag must be lit.
Anthem to the National Flag
The Anthem to the National Flag was written by the Parnassian poet Olavo Bilac (1865-1918). The music is by Francisco Braga (1868-1945), and was first performed in 1906, in Rio de Janeiro.
Hail, beautiful banner of hope,
Save august symbol of peace!
Your noble presence in remembrance
The greatness of the Fatherland brings us.
Chorus:
Receive the affection that closes
In our youthful chest,
Dear Earth Symbol,
From the beloved land of Brazil!
In your beautiful breast you portray
This sky of pure blue,
The unparalleled verdure of these forests,
And the splendor of the Southern Cross.
(Chorus)
Contemplating your sacred form,
We understand our duty,
And Brazil, for its beloved children,
mighty and happy shall it be.
(Chorus)
About the immense Brazilian Nation,
In moments of celebration or pain,
The holy banner always hangs,
Pavilion of Justice and Love!
(Chorus)
Activities for National Flag Day
On this day it is very common for schools to hold events and presentations with the theme of the Brazilian flag. Some suggestions:
Raise the National Flag in the morning and lower it in the afternoon, singing the Anthem of the Flag.
In early childhood education, prepare a series of drawings so that children can assemble, draw and paint the Brazilian Flag. Also, play a question and answer game about the Brazilian flag.
Show students the different flags that Brazil has had. It is also worth asking students to present the other national symbols and their meanings.
Curiosity about the Flag of Brazil
When the national flag becomes old, dirty or torn, it must be replaced with a new one. The flag to be replaced is collected by a military unit, which arranges for its burning on the 19th of November.
Read Also :
Flag of Brazil
Anthem to the Flag