Timeline of Brazil
The major events that shaped the history of Brazil, from the arrival of the Portuguese to the present day.
- Category
- Humanities & Culture
- Tag
- countries
- Events
- 22 events 15,000 BCE – 2019
- Added
15,000 BCE: Indigenous peoples in Brazil
Brazil was home to a diverse array of indigenous peoples, with an estimated population of around two million at the time of European arrival. These peoples had developed their own societies, cultures, and languages over thousands of years, with some groups living in large cities and others in small villages or nomadic groups. The arrival of Europeans would lead to widespread displacement, exploitation, and violence against the indigenous peoples of Brazil.
Wikipedia1500: Portuguese Arrival
Pedro Álvares Cabral arrives in Brazil and claims the land for Portugal.
Wikipedia1534: Colonization of Brazil
Portuguese settlers establish the first permanent settlement in Brazil, São Vicente.
Wikipedia1695: Discovery of Gold
Gold is discovered in Minas Gerais, leading to a gold rush and increased colonization of Brazil.
Wikipedia1808: Arrival of the Portuguese Court
The Portuguese royal family, fleeing the invasion of Portugal by Napoleon, arrives in Rio de Janeiro and makes it the capital of the Portuguese Empire.
Wikipedia1822: Independence of Brazil
Prince Pedro declares Brazil's independence from Portugal and becomes Emperor Pedro I of Brazil.
Wikipedia1888: Abolition of Slavery
Slavery is abolished in Brazil, making it the last country in the Western Hemisphere to do so.
Wikipedia1889: Proclamation of the Republic
The Brazilian monarchy is overthrown and the country becomes a republic, with Marshal Deodoro da Fonseca as its first president.
Wikipedia1930: Getúlio Vargas Comes to Power
Getúlio Vargas, a populist politician, becomes President of Brazil, initiating an era of political and economic reforms known as the Estado Novo.
Wikipedia1956: Construction of Brasília
In an effort to promote development in the interior of Brazil, the country’s capital was moved from Rio de Janeiro to the newly built city of Brasilia. The city was designed by architect Oscar Niemeyer and urban planner Lúcio Costa and is known for its unique modernist architecture and urban design. Brasilia’s inauguration as the new capital marked a significant milestone in the history of Brazil and helped to shape the country’s identity in the 20th century.
Wikipedia1964: Military Coup
A military coup overthrows President João Goulart and establishes a military dictatorship that lasts for over 20 years.
Wikipedia1985: Return to Democracy
The military regime ends and Brazil returns to democracy with the election of Tancredo Neves as president.
Wikipedia1994: Plano Real
The Plano Real was a set of economic measures implemented in Brazil in 1994 with the goal of stabilizing the country's inflation and promoting economic growth. The plan included the introduction of a new currency, the Real, which was pegged to the US dollar, as well as fiscal and monetary reforms. The Plano Real was successful in bringing inflation under control and restoring confidence in the Brazilian economy.
Wikipedia2002: Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is elected president
Lula da Silva becomes the first left-wing president of Brazil in over 40 years, promising to reduce poverty and social inequality.
Wikipedia2005: Operation Car Wash begins
A federal investigation is launched into a money laundering scheme at the state-owned oil company Petrobras, leading to the conviction of numerous politicians and businesspeople.
Wikipedia2009: Rio de Janeiro awarded the 2016 Summer Olympics
Rio de Janeiro becomes the first South American city to host the Summer Olympics.
Wikipedia2010: Dilma Rousseff is elected president
Rousseff becomes Brazil's first female president, succeeding Lula da Silva.
Wikipedia2013: Protests against government corruption and spending
Widespread protests erupt across Brazil over government corruption and spending on the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics.
Wikipedia2014: Brazil hosts the World Cup
Brazil hosts the 2014 FIFA World Cup, but loses in the semi-finals to Germany in a historic 7-1 defeat.
Wikipedia2016: Dilma Rousseff is impeached
Rousseff is impeached by the Brazilian Senate over allegations of breaking budget laws, and is succeeded by Michel Temer.
Wikipedia2018: Jair Bolsonaro is elected president
Bolsonaro, a right-wing politician known for his controversial remarks and policies, is elected president of Brazil.
Wikipedia2019: Amazon rainforest fires
The Amazon rainforest experiences a record number of fires, leading to international concern over the environmental impact and government policies.
Wikipedia