10 fatos SURPREENDENTES da História do Brasil 🇧🇷

Summary

This video presents 10 fascinating historical facts about Brazil, ranging from lesser-known European connections before its official discovery to quirky events like the mysterious first Brazilian president of African descent. Highlights include the surprising origins of the term 'Brazilian,' the influence of Maria Leopoldina in Brazil's independence, and the story of Maria Quitéria, a female hero of the independence movement. The video also touches on topics such as Brazil’s first black president, the origin of the term 'favela,' and the prevalence of the Silva surname in Brazilian history, all providing a unique perspective on the country’s rich and diverse past.

Takeaways

• 😀 The term 'Brazilian' originally referred to workers involved in the extraction of Brazilwood (pau-brasil) during the colonial period. It was later used to describe people born in Brazil.
• 😀 There is evidence suggesting Europeans may have arrived in Brazil before the official 1500 discovery by Pedro Álvares Cabral. One such early European was the 'Bacharel de Cananéia,' who had been in Brazil for over 30 years before Cabral's arrival.
• 😀 European hygiene practices in the past were notably poor, with figures like King João VI of Portugal reportedly never bathing. This aversion to cleanliness became widespread in medieval Europe due to fears of diseases like the plague.
• 😀 Maria Leopoldina, the wife of Dom Pedro I, played a crucial role in Brazil’s independence. She was the first to sign the declaration of independence in 1822 while Dom Pedro I was away in São Paulo.
• 😀 Maria Quitéria, a Brazilian woman, disguised herself as a man to fight in the Brazilian War of Independence and became a heroic figure for her contributions to the independence movement.
• 😀 Nilo Peçanha, the 7th president of Brazil, is considered the country's first Black president. Despite his African heritage, he faced significant racial prejudice and hid his origins for much of his life.
• 😀 The term 'favela' in Brazil originates from the Morro da Favela in Rio de Janeiro. This name was derived from the favela plant in Bahia, which soldiers associated with a battle during the Canudos War.
• 😀 In 1963, Senator Arnon de Melo of Alagoas fatally shot another senator, José Kairala, during a session in the Senate. The shooting was the result of a long-standing rivalry, and both senators were later absolved of any wrongdoing.
• 😀 'Silva' is one of the most common surnames in Brazil, with over five million individuals bearing the name. It likely originated from the Latin term for 'forest' and became widespread among diverse groups, including enslaved people and Indigenous populations.
• 😀 The oldest person in Brazil's history, allegedly living to 130 years old, was a woman named Silva who was born in Poland but moved to Brazil at a young age. She witnessed multiple industrial revolutions and the moon landing.

Q & A

Why do Brazilians not call themselves 'Brasiliano' like people from other countries?

Brazilians are called 'brasileiro' because the term originated during the colonial period to describe individuals who worked with 'pau-brasil' (Brazilwood), a valuable tree. The term evolved and was used by the Portuguese to refer to natives of Brazil, eventually becoming the national demonym.

Was Brazil truly discovered in 1500 by Pedro Álvares Cabral?

Some historians argue that the discovery of Brazil occurred earlier. In 1531, a European man, referred to as the Bacharel de Cananéia, was found living in Brazil for over 30 years, suggesting that earlier expeditions, like those led by Duarte Pacheco Pereira and Bartolomeu Dias, may have reached the region before Cabral's official landing.

Why did Europeans in the past avoid bathing, and how did it affect Dom João VI?

During the Middle Ages, Europeans believed bathing made them vulnerable to disease, especially after the Black Death. They avoided baths to protect themselves from infection. Dom João VI, who had a fear of water, allegedly never took a full-body bath and suffered from various skin conditions as a result.

Who really declared Brazil's independence on September 7, 1822?

Though the famous 'Grito do Ipiranga' by Dom Pedro I is associated with Brazil's independence, it was actually his wife, Maria Leopoldina, who played a crucial role. She signed the declaration of independence on his behalf while he was away, and Dom Pedro later confirmed it.

What role did Maria Quitéria play in Brazil's independence struggle?

Maria Quitéria, a Brazilian woman who disguised herself as a man named José Medeiros, fought in the War of Independence. Her heroic actions led to her recognition by both the military and Dom Pedro I, who honored her with the title of Knight of the Imperial Order.

Who was the first black president of Brazil?

Nilo Peçanha, who served as the seventh president of Brazil, was the first black president. Although his family initially hid their African roots due to the racial climate of the time, Peçanha's presidency marked a significant point in Brazil's political history.

How did the term 'favela' originate in Brazil?

The term 'favela' originated from the War of Canudos, where soldiers who fought in the war were promised homes upon their return. When the government failed to keep its promise, the soldiers settled on the Morro da Providência in Rio de Janeiro, naming it 'Favela' after a plant native to the region, reflecting their struggle.

What is the story behind the assassination of a senator in Brazil?

In 1963, Senator Arnon de Melo of Alagoas shot and killed Senator José Kairala during a speech in the Brazilian Senate. The shooting stemmed from political rivalry, and despite the crime, both Melo and his rival were absolved by the Supreme Federal Court.

Why is the surname 'Silva' so common in Brazil?

'Silva' is one of the most common surnames in Brazil, likely due to its historical use by various groups. It was originally a surname for people living near forests in the Roman Empire and became widespread in Portugal and Spain before being brought to Brazil. Many former slaves and indigenous people adopted it to avoid persecution or start anew.

Who was the oldest person in Brazilian history, and how old did they live?

The oldest verified person in Brazilian history was a woman named Maria Silva, who allegedly lived to be 130 years old. She was born in 1880 in Poland and moved to Brazil as a child. However, there is debate about her true birth year, with some believing she was born in the early 1900s.