In 1808, the Portuguese court, fleeing from Napoleon’s invasion of Portugal during the Peninsular War in a large fleet escorted by the British, moved the government to Brazil ending a 308 year of colonial rule. Rio de Janeiro became the Empire Capital and the Portuguese king ruled his huge empire for 13 years from the Passo Imperial Palace, an old colonial building ocean front in Rio de Janeiro downtown, and there he would have remained for the rest of his life if it were not for the turmoil aroused in Portugal due, among other reasons, to his long stay in Brazil after the end of Napoleon’s reign.

The king moved back to Portugal but Brazil had never walked back on its brand new independent status. In 1815 Brazil received the title of United Kingdom of Brazil, Portugal and Algarves. When King John VI of Portugal left Brazil to return to his European territory in 1821, left behind his elder son Pedro. One year later, on September 7, 1822, Pedro declared the secession of Brazil from Portugaland bequeathed a constitution instituting a constitutional monarchy in Brazil, assuming its head as Emperor Pedro I of Brazil. The Portuguese reacted with war, but the war has finished at July 2 1823, with Bahia province joining the Brazilian independence.

Pedro was liked by the common people, but displeased both the landed elites, who thought him too liberal, and the intellectuals, who felt he was not liberal enough. Forced to abdicate in 1831 for political incompatibilities with Brazilian politicians he left for Portugal, leaving behind his five-year-old son as Emperor Pedro II who was acclaimed emperor in 1840 at the age of 14. Pedro II started a parliamentary reign which lasted until 1889, when he was ousted by a coup d’état which instituted the republic. At the end of his reign, he presided over the abolition of slavery in 1888.

September 7 is the official Independence Day in Brazil, the birthday of the Country; several festivities are scheduled to take place tomorrow all around Brazil. President Lula will be at the traditional National Parade in Brasilia that usually is a thermometer of popularity, because the President is part of the parade in an open car. Several Brazilian presidents have received strong boos over this parade. Lula’s popularity stands over the highest levels in history, not a big boo is expected.

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