O The proclamation of the Republic Day is celebrated on the 15th of November.
On this day, in 1889, the military removed Dom Pedro II, changing the government from monarchic to republican.
Since then, November 15 has been a national holiday, in order to remember the institution of the Republic in Brazil.
Summary of the Proclamation of the Republic
The monarchic regime had been going through a series of crises that were difficult to overcome.
First there had been the religious question, when the Emperor had taken issue with a papal bull. The case ended with the arrest of two bishops in an extremely Catholic society.
Then there was the military issue, where the military publicly demonstrated its dissatisfaction with the regime. They wanted more recognition from society and increased salaries.
The army, mainly, was divided into those who supported the Emperor and those who wanted the Republic in order, according to them, to modernize the country.
Finally, the issue of the abolition of slavery made the landowners no longer support the monarchy. The end of slavery without compensation represented a severe economic loss for the landowners.
So, in the early hours of November 15th, a group of soldiers decided to put an end to the monarchy. Led by Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin Constant and aided by the civilian Quintino Bocaiuva, part of the Army decides to act.
For that, they needed a leader who was an experienced military man. The chosen one was the Marshal Deodoro da Fonseca, a veteran of Paraguay War and appreciated by the troop.
However, Marshal Deodoro was sick and in bed, and he was taken practically carried to the Ministry of War. He thought he was overthrowing the Visconde de Ouro Preto cabinet and not the monarchic regime.
The Imperial Family and the Proclamation of the Republic
The Imperial Family was in Petropolis and the Emperor was following the events. On November 15 at night, the sovereign was officially informed that the republican regime was proclaimed.
The emperor Dom Pedro II, to avoid a civil war, decided not to summon any military commanders allied to the monarchy.
Taking advantage of the fact that there was no hostile reaction on the part of the Emperor, the military decided to expel the Imperial Family from Brazil. Thus, Dom Pedro II, Empress Teresa Cristina, their children and grandchildren were embarked at dawn on the 17th towards exile.
There was no communication to the population about what was happening. Only the next day was it said that the monarch and his family had departed.
Marshal Deodoro would be elected the first president of Brazil and the Marshal Floriano Peixoto, would be the vice president.
Commemoration of the Proclamation of the Republic
The celebration of the Proclamation of the Republic was always celebrated with great intensity by the republican regime.
The golden age was during the military regime (1964-1985) when large parades were held exalting the military figures such as Marshal Deodoro, Duque de Caxias, Benjamin Constant, Marshal Floriano, among others.
In the 1980s, elections were always held on November 15 to coincide with the holiday and civic date.
Anthem of the Proclamation of the Republic
One of the first measures taken by Marechal Deodoro's provisional government was to change the anthem and flag of Brazil.
The flag kept its monarchical colors and shapes, and practically only the imperial shield was removed, replacing it with the starry sky and the positivist motto "Order and Progress".
For the composition of the new anthem, a public competition was opened in January 1890, won by the composer Leopoldo Miguez (1850-1902) and the poet Medeiros e Albuquerque (1867-1934).
However, the military themselves preferred the old melody of the Brazilian National Anthem. Thus, President Deodoro da Fonseca determined that the new composition would be used as the Anthem of the Proclamation of the Republic.
Read the lyrics below:
Be an unfolded canopy of light.
Under the wide expanse of these skies
This corner rebel that the past
Come redeem from the most vile labés!
Be a speaking glory hymn
Of hope, of a new future!
With visions of triumphs pack
Who for him fighting arise!
[chorus]
Freedom! Freedom!
Spread your wings over us!
of the fights in the storm
Let us hear your voice!
We don't even believe that slaves once
Has there been in such a noble Country...
Today the red flash of dawn
Find brothers, not hostile tyrants.
We're all the same! to the future
We will know, together, to take
Our august standard that, pure,
Shine, ovante, from the Fatherland on the altar!
[chorus]
If you need brave breasts
There is blood on our banner,
Living blood of the Tiradentes hero
Named this daring pavilion!
Messengers of peace, peace we want,
Our strength and power is of love
But from the war in the supreme trances
You will see us fight and win!
[chorus]
From Ipiranga it is necessary that the cry
Be a superb cry of faith!
Brazil has already emerged freed,
On the regal purples standing.
Hey, then, Brazilians forward!
Blond greens, let's reap!
Be our country triumphant,
Free land of free brothers!
Curiosities about the Proclamation of the Republic
- Recently, historians interpret that November 15 was a coup d'état, as there was no popular support and the monarchic regime was overthrown at gunpoint.
- The first Constitution of Brazil, of 1891, determined that a referendum would be called so that voters could decide between monarchy and republic. This referendum only took place 104 years later in 1993.
- The Flamengo Football and Regatta Club was founded on November 15, 1895, in Rio de Janeiro, so that this day would always coincide with the Republic holiday.
Enjoy and study more about the subject with these texts:
- Brazilian National Anthem
- Brazil's flag
- flag day
