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Jan 1, 1415
The Battle of Ceuta
Portugal conquers the city of Ceuta in 1415 about 45,000 men from portugal took part and only 8 got killed while thousands of the enemy got killed or captured. The battle took place at Ceuta, Morocco. This conquest started Portugal’s empire. Pictures from: http://www.dshed.net/digitised/imagem/resources_city_fact_files_oporto.html -
Jan 1, 1427
Diogo Silves
Diogo Silves discovered the Azores in 1427. They are a group of islands off the coast of Portugal. There are 9 major islands separated into 3 main groups. All of the islands come from volcanic background. The Azores are actually some of the highest peaks in the world. Currently the main industry is tourism which is becoming more and more popular. Picture from: http://npestrelinhaosdescobrimentos.blogspot.ca -
Period: Jan 1, 1434 to Jan 1, 1447
Exploration of Africa Begins
Expeditions led by explorer Henry the Navigator (Prince Henry) managed to get across Africa and get to India. In 1434 sailors discover the island of Mauritania where they traded wheat and cloth for African gold and slaves. In 1442-1447 Portugal explored the coasts of Guinea, Senegal and Gambia. -
Period: Jan 1, 1515 to Jan 1, 1519
Building of the Belem Tower
The Belem tower started to get built in 1515 and was finished 1519. It was designed by Francisco de Arruda. It is located in Lisbon and along the Tagus River. It has helped defend Portugal from attack multiple times against the French, Spanish and other countries. It is a UNESNCO world heritage site. -
Jan 1, 1532
Portugal Claims Brazil
Portugal claims Brazil with a Portuguese fleet. The fleet was met with indigenous nations that were separated into widespread tribes. The first settlement was made in 1532 but colonization was in 1534. While fighting the French, Portugal expanded their territory farther in to Brazil. Picture from: http://www.dreamstime.com/royalty-free-stock-images-flag-brazil-portugal-image10186219 -
The Lisbon Earthquake
The Lisbon earthquake took place on November 1, 1755. It was one of the most deadly earthquakes in history killing more than 10,000 people. To make things worse the earthquake was followed by a tsunami and a fire, those put together almost destroyed Lisbon altogether. Picture from: http://www.internationalist.org/lisbon1755.html -
Napoleon Invades Portugal
1807 Napoleon orders the invasion of Portugal and the royal family moved to Brazil. This was 1 of the reasons Brazil declared independence from Portugal. Napoleon also invaded Spain at the same time Portugal and Spain were occupied by the French for a year. This instigated the peninsular wars. Picture from: http://en.cubafiesta.net/news/cuba-news-napoleon-museum-in-havana-re-opened -
Brazil Separates From Portugal
Brazil wanted to become an independent nation out of the Portugal United Kingdom but Portugal did not want that to happen as they got lots of resources and other supplies from Brazil. The official separation occurred by the letter written by Pedro to Joao VI.It occured on September 2, 1843 Picture from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independence_of_Brazil -
King Carlos and Elder Son Assasinated
On February 1,1908 King Carlos and his family were traveling back from Vila Vicosa to Lisbon. While traveling in an open carriage the king was shot dead by former sergeant and sharpshooter Manuel Buica and the older son was also injured and died of his injuries later. Then a week later King Carlos’s younger son took the throne to become the last King of Portugal. Picture from:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlos_I_of_Portugal#Assassination -
Period: to
WWI
1914-1918 Portugal joins the allied forces in World War 1. Portugal did not join any alliance right away but remained neutral for a short while, until the German U-boats were going to blockade the UK. Portugal did not approve of this because the UK was Portugal’s main trade area. That was the main reason Germany and Portugal went to war but there was a few other little battles that also helped. Around 8145 Portuguese died and 13,751 were wounded or captured in the war. -
Period: to
WWII
Portugal remained neutral throughout the whole war despite the Germans sinking a merchant ship that was the first neutral ship sunk in WWII. Portugal also joined other neutral countries to rescue Hungarian Jews from the holocaust. Over 100,000 Jews went over the border into Lisbon -
Portugal Joins the UN
Portugal joined the UN in 1955. They joined the 192 other countries that are currently in the UN. Portugal is an active participant in UN organisations. The UN has already used Portuguese forces many times like in the conga, Lebanon and guinea. Picture from: http://eeas.europa.eu/organisations/un/index_en.htm
