Brazil's Independence Day is celebrated on September 7, the date on which, in the year 1822, Dom Pedro ended Brazil's political dependence on Portugal.
On that historic date, Dom Pedro shouted "Independence or Death" on the banks of the Ipiranga River, which is why the famous cry became known as the "Ipiranga cry".
Summary of the history of the Independence of Brazil
It all started with the arrival of the Portuguese royal family to Brazil in 1808. In 1815, Brazil ceased to be a colony of Portugal, being elevated to United Kingdom to Portugal and Algarves, but there were many differences between the two countries because of the territory.
In 1821, Dom João returned to Portugal with the royal family, pressured by the Liberal Revolution of Porto (1820), but his son Dom Pedro, who was named Prince Regent, stayed in Brazil.
Many leaders joined him in order for Dom Pedro to lead the independence process. Therefore, the year after the royal family's departure, Dom Pedro was ordered to return to Portugal as well, but the Brazilians wanted him to stay.
A petition was carried out requesting the Portuguese prince to stay in Brazil. For this, a petition with 8,000 signatures was delivered to D. Pedro, asking him not to return to Europe.
And that's what happened on January 9, 1822, the historic date on which Dom Pedro declared that he would remain in Brazil and which became known as the Dia do Fico.
In August 1822, Dom Pedro needed to travel to the province of São Paulo and left his wife, Princess Dona Leopoldina, as regent.
In the meantime, letters arrive from Portugal demanding the immediate return of Dom Pedro to Portugal. Faced with the gravity of the situation, Dona Leopoldina convened the Council of State. Outraged by the content of the correspondence, the members of the Council supported Dona Leopoldina's decision to sign the decree of independence for Brazil.
Then the regent sent a letter to Dom Pedro telling him what she had done and that it would be up to him to formalize the separation between the two countries.
Dom Pedro received the letter while resting on the banks of the Ipiranga stream, in São Paulo. Right there, the prince ordered the soldiers to get rid of their white and blue insignia (colors of Portugal) and gave his famous cry of “Independence or Death”. This moment became known as the "Cry of Ipiranga".
With that, the Prince Regent was crowned Emperor of Brazil and received the title of Dom Pedro I.
September 7th Celebrations
Since the First Reign (1822-1831) it used to be a military parade to celebrate the day of the proclamation of independence. This tradition dates back to the Ancien Régime, when civic celebrations or the sovereign's birthday were accompanied by the parade of troops in front of the monarch.
However, in the Regency Period (1831-1840), due to the rebellions that broke out across the country, the 7th of September went unnoticed.
It was only in 1840, with the accession of Dom Pedro II to the throne, that the date took on solemnity again. Military parades took place in the country's capital, Rio de Janeiro, and were repeated in provincial capitals.
During the Republic, the importance of the date grew, being one of the most celebrated parties. In 1922, the government of President Epitácio Pessoa spared no effort to commemorate the first centenary of Independence in a large showcase of the Brazilian nation.
On this occasion, the International Exhibition of the First Centenary of Brazil was held in Rio de Janeiro. The show was attended by 13 countries from three continents, in addition to the participation of Brazilian states.
Nations displayed their products and cultural characteristics in pavilions set up in the Urca neighborhood and downtown Rio de Janeiro. It is estimated that 3 million people visited the exhibition on September 7, 1922, which took place on March 23, 1923.
During the Vargas Era, schools were required to participate in the parade, reinforcing the citizens' feeling of Brazilian identity. This tradition lasted until the mid-1990s, when student participation became voluntary.
Likewise, officers and soldiers, veterans of the wars in which Brazil participated, such as the soldiers of the Second World War, paraded.
It was also customary to invite a Head of State from a foreign nation with which Brazil had a special relationship to attend the ceremony.
Since 2003, the solemn parade of the 7th of September takes place in Brasília on Esplanada dos Ministérios.
Anthem of Independence
Dom Pedro I composed the melody of the Independence Hymn based on verses by the poet Evaristo da Veiga (1799-1837).
You can now, children of the Fatherland,
To see the kind mother happy;
Freedom has already dawned
On the horizon of Brazil.
Brave Brazilian people!
Far go... servile fear:
Or stay the free homeland
Or die for Brazil.
The shackles that forged us
From the cunning trickery...
There was a more powerful hand:
Brazil mocked them.
Brave Brazilian people!
Far go... servile fear:
Or stay the free homeland
Or die for Brazil.
Do not fear impious phalanxes,
Who have a hostile face;
Your breasts, your arms
They are walls of Brazil.
Brave Brazilian people!
Far go... servile fear:
Or stay the free homeland
Or die for Brazil.
Congratulations, oh Brazilian,
Now, with youthful grace,
Of the universe between the nations
Brazil's shines.
Brave Brazilian people!
Far go... servile fear:
Or stay the free homeland
Or die for Brazil.
Fun facts about Independence
After Independence, there was a debate about which date should be celebrated independence. The 9th of January, the Dia do Fico, and the day of the signature by Dona Leopoldina, the 2nd of September, were quoted to be considered this milestone.
Portuguese troops, stationed in Bahia, refused to recognize the new government. The province would face battles until July 2, 1823, when they were defeated. Until today it is a holiday in Bahia remembering this feat.
Video about the Independence of Brazil
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