Who was Tiradentes? Is April 21st a national holiday in Brazil?

Who was Tiradentes? Is April 21 a holiday? Tiradentes was one of the conspirators of the so-called Inconfidência Mineira. His death day, April 21, is now a national holiday in Brazil.

April 21 is a public holiday in Brazil because Tiradentes Day is celebrated. The date refers to the day of the death of the miner Joaquim José da Silva Xavier, which occurred on April 21, 1792. Joaquim José was one of the leaders of the Inconfidência Mineira. He was known by the nickname “Tiradentes” and was considered by many as a “national hero”.

See too:

• Outing Activities
• Activities on Tiradentes

Who was Tiradentes?

Tiradentes was born in the Captaincy of Minas Gerais, on November 12, 1746, during the colonial period in Brazil. Among the many professions he practiced was that of amateur dentist, for which he received the nickname “Tiradentes”, for which he became known. It was, however, in his military career that Tiradentes established himself as a professional. He was part of the Royal Dragons of Minas cavalry, in the rank of second lieutenant – one rank below that of lieutenant. The Dragões were a military company formed by Portuguese and Brazilians that was under the authority of the Portuguese Crown and operated in the Colony.

Who was Tiradentes? - DEATH

Tiradentes was sentenced to be hanged and executed on April 21, 1792. In addition, he was butchered in Praça da Lampadosa in Rio de Janeiro and his body parts were exposed on the road connecting Rio de Janeiro to Minas Gerais.

His property was confiscated, his house burned and the earth salted, a common punishment that the Portuguese Crown meted out to traitors ..

Who was Tiradentes? Is April 21 a holiday?

In 1789, part of the population of Minas Gerais made an attempt at a separatist revolt against Portuguese rule in Brazil. Tiradentes was an activist in this movement and the only one sentenced to death by hanging.

For this reason, his actions are recognized as heroic acts that guaranteed him the status of an important Brazilian historical figure.

April 21st became a national holiday on December 9, 1965. This was done by President Marshal Castelo Branco through Law N. 4.897. This law also instituted the title of “Patron of the Brazilian Nation” to Tiradentes.

Who was Tiradentes? Curiosities

• Tiradentes is the only Brazilian who had his date of death turned into a national holiday. It is also the most cited on Google, there are now more than 2 million pages that mention his name.
• The story of Tiradentes and the Inconfidência Mineira was the plot of films such as the Inconfidentes (1972), by Joaquim Pedro de Andrade; Tiradentes, the Martyr of Independence (1976), by Geraldo Vietri and Tiradentes (1999), by Oswaldo Caldeira.
• Also inspired the soap opera ten lives (1969), by Ivani Ribeiro.
• On December 9, 1965, under General Humberto Castelo Branco, Tiradentes officially received the title of civic patron of the Brazilian nation.
• Despite being known as a dentist, Tiradentes was also a drover, miner, engineer and military man. He even became second lieutenant of the Sixth Dragon Company of Minas Gerais.
• Although he died heroically and for a noble cause, this was only really recognized years later. The date of his hanging only became a national holiday in 1890, 98 years after his death. During the Imperial era, his name could not be mentioned by anyone because of his anti-monarchy and Enlightenment ideas.

Who was Tiradentes? Outing Activities

If you are a teacher, you are looking for activities to work on this commemorative date, we have selected some suggestions, check out:

• Produce texts (Individually or collectively);
• Drawings to color;
• Presentations
• Making of murals and panels in the classroom;
• Conversation Wheel;
• Among other things.

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Who was Tiradentes? History: Inconfidência Mineira

Aprendendo com Videoaulas Project with animations and scripts by Barão do Pirapora and coordination by Kelly Claudia Gonçalves for Editora Rideel.