O September 7th is one of the most important commemorative dates in Brazil, precisely because it houses one of the main events in our history: our independence. It was on that day, in 1822, that d. Pedro began our journey as an independent nation. Currently, the 7th of September is a National holiday which is marked by public celebrations in big cities.
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History
The independence of Brazil took place on September 7, 1822, when, supposedly, d. Peter (future d. Pedro I) proclaimed the cry of independence on the banks of the Ipiranga River, in the current city of São Paulo. With that, Brazil broke its connection with Portugal and consolidated itself as an independent nation.
What were the causes of independence?
Independence was the result of a process of wear in the relations between Brazilian settlers, especially the elite, with Portugal. This was directly related to the Porto Liberal Revolution of 1820, but we can consider that it all started with the transfer of the Portuguese royal family to Brazil, in 1808.
The transfer of the royal family was a consequence of the Napoleonic era and motivated by invasion of Portugal by French troops. The Portuguese royal family's move to Rio de Janeiro was, therefore, an escape. After settling in Rio de Janeiro, what became known as Joanine Period.
This name refers to d. John VI, regent who was at the head of Portugal and only became Portuguese king after 1816. Here in Brazil, d. João VI carried out a series of measures that contributed to the modernization of Brazil, promoting economic development and cultural and artistic flourishing.
Two prominent measures were the opening of ports, in 1808, and the raising Brazil to the status of kingdom, in 1815. With this last measure, Brazil ceased to be a colony and became part of the Portuguese kingdom. This situation, however, displeased many in Portugal. Thus, in 1820, the aforementioned Liberal Revolution in Porto broke out.
This revolution mobilized Portugal's elite by the desire for reforms in the country, which included the king's return to Lisbon. The starting point for Brazil's independence process was, therefore, the intention of the Cutportuguese (institution at the head of this revolution in Portugal) to revoke all measures taken by d. John VI during the Joanine Period.
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Brazil's independence process
It was because of the possibility of Brazil's recolonization that our independence process began. The country's economic elite – in this case, the Southeast elite – did not accept this possibility because it would affect their economic interests. Negotiations extended through 1820 and 1821, but from 1822 onwards, separatist sentiment began to gain strength.
Who spearheaded the independence of Brazil was the prince regent d. Peter. As the situation became irreconcilable, the prince was convinced to lead the process of independence in Brazil. On September 7, 1822, the situation proved untenable, and the regent declared independence.
It is important to say that our independence process it wasn't peaceful, since there was resistance, which resulted in battles in places like Bahia, Pará and Cisplatina (now Uruguay). The so-called “Brazilian” troops won and managed to subdue the resistance movements.
Portugal ended up recognizing our independence in 1824, after the British mediated an agreement between Brazilians and Portuguese. Brazil, as an independent nation, organized itself as a monarchy and d. Peter went acclaimed and crowned like Emperor of Brazil. Thus, from 1822 onwards, it began to be from d. Peter I.
If you want to know more about the entire process of independence in Brazil, we suggest reading the following texts: Independence of Brazil and Wars of Independence.
Holiday
September 7th is an extremely important day in our history. The collective memory in our country consolidated this date as the day on which d. Pedro carried out the cry of our independence, this event being a foundational milestone of our country. Despite this, the historians are currently not sure if d. Pedro performed, in fact, the Ipiranga's scream.
Being considered one of the founding landmarks, the date is understood as an important moment for the collective memory of Brazilians and, therefore, should be celebrated. The importance of the date is easily identified by the fact that it is a National holiday and it is one of the three holidays that commemorate landmark events in Brazilian history (the others are the Tiradentes Day it's the The proclamation of the Republic Day).
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September 7 was only turned into a national holiday during the government of Eurico Gaspar Dutra, the first president of Brazil after the Vargas dictatorship. This law decreed the existence of seven holidays in the Brazilian calendar and was reinforced and modified by a law signed during the government of Fernando Henrique Cardoso.
The two laws were as follows:
Law No. 662, April 6, 1949;
Law No. 10607, of December 19, 2002.
The independence celebrations in Brazil take place mainly in the big cities of Brazil and are marked by parades carried out by the Brazilian Army. In the capital, Brasília, parades of members of the Forcesarmed (Navy, Army and Air Force), as well as parades of bands and even veterans of the Brazilian Expeditionary Force, who fought in the Second war.
![On September 7, military parades are held in large cities in Brazil.[1]](/f/c2eada0cf3b67843b43918ea8af62b0c.jpg)
THE Smoke Squadron, an Air Force detachment famous for performing aerobatic displays with airplanes, exhibits in the capital. The September 7 celebrations are so expressive that, in 2018, for example, around 30 thousand people attended the parades in São Paulo and Campo Grande, and 10 thousand in Florianópolis|1|.
Image Credits:
[1] gustavomellossa and Shutterstock
Grades:
|1| The September 7th parade attracts thousands of Brazilians from North to South of the country. To access, click on here.
By Daniel Neves
Graduated in History
Source: Brazil School - https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/datas-comemorativas/7-setembro-dia-independencia-brasil.htm