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Jan 1, 1500
Terrritory of Portugal
Pedro Alvares Cabral claimed the territory for Portugal in 1500. -
Jan 1, 1532
Colonization Begins
Portugal began colonization in 1532 -
Jan 1, 1549
Royal Colony
Made the area a royal colony in 1549. -
King Joåo VI
Napoleonic Wars, King João VI, fearing the advancing French armies, fled Portugal in 1808 and set up his court in Rio de Janeiro. -
Brazil Gained Independence
When Portugal tried to reimpose colonial rule, the prince declared Brazil's independence on Sept. 7, 1822, becoming Pedro I, emperor of Brazil -
Emporer Pedro II
Pedro II becomes emporer, taking his father's place. After his father was harrased by his parliament. -
Pedro II was abdicated
The son was a popular monarch, but discontent built up, and in 1889, following a military revolt, he abdicated. -
Military Coup.
After a military coup in 1964, Brazil had a series of military governments. -
Change to Democracy
Gen. João Baptista de Oliveira Figueiredo became president in 1979 and pledged a return to democracy in 1985. -
Econmic Crisis
In Jan. 1999, the Asian economic crisis spread to Brazil. Rather than prop up the currency through financial markets, Brazil opted to let the currency float, which sent the real plummeting—at one time as much as 40%.