Independence of Brazil: find out the main details behind September 7th

Generally, we look forward to September 7th every year. This is because the date offers a breather after two whole months without a holiday (July and August). Furthermore, when this date falls on a Thursday, we almost always “hang” Friday and rest for four days in a row.

But September 7th is not a mere holiday. Do you know how Brazil's Independence occurred and why this event is so important for our history?

Independence marked the beginning of a new trajectory for our people, after centuries of domination by the Portuguese crown over Brazil.

Continue reading and learn more about this milestone in our history. Discover information you may not yet be aware of, such as: reasons that led to Independence, its consequences and even a second date for the event.

Why did Brazil declare its independence?

Historians claim that, throughout the course of history, many conflicts began between local interests and those of the Portuguese crown.

For example, monarchs began to impose restrictions and measures that impeded the country's economic and political growth.

In 1808, the monarchy of Portugal came to Brazil, fleeing Napoleon's troops. This caused a series of political changes in the country, which favored the climate of Independence.

The icing on the cake was that similar movements were emerging around the world, such as in the United States and Europe. This made us start thinking about doing something similar in Brazil.

Fertile land

Some peculiarities favored Brazil's Independence. The first of them is the fact that Portugal is very far from us, which made getting here, as well as exchanging information between the two countries, quite difficult.

In this way, decisions and decrees from the crown took a long time to reach Brazil. This had serious consequences in the context of impositions.

And what happened afterwards?

After Dom Pedro I declared the Independence of Brazil, the first noticeable consequence was the feeling of sovereignty and, mainly, of autonomy on the part of those who were here. After all, now Brazilians could make their own political, economic and social decisions.

Thus, a new State was born. Finally, our country was able to build its own government structure, with relative political stability and economic freedom that contributed to Brazil's growth.

However, there were many social challenges. The country still had serious issues, such as slavery, social inequalities, the lack of infrastructure and, mainly, the lack of a national identity.

But you had said something about another date of Brazil’s Independence…

Oh yes! Dom Pedro I proclaimed, in fact, the Independence of Brazil on September 7, 1822. However, information did not spread as easily as it does today. After all, the WhatsApp broadcast list didn't exist yet.

Therefore, most people who lived in Brazil did not find out about what happened on the day, nor even in the month in which it happened. The population only found out about everything on October 12th, another national holiday.

Ah, it's worth noting that, on this date, D's reign also began. Pedro as emperor of Brazil.

Graduated in Social Communication from the Federal University of Goiás. Passionate about digital media, pop culture, technology, politics and psychoanalysis.