History of Brazil 1400-2010
1400s Europeans explore and settle Brazil. 1494: Spain and Portugal sign the Treaty of Tordesillas.
1500s April 22, 1500: Portuguese explorer Pedro Alvares Cabral lands in eastern Brazil and claims it for his country.
1600s 1640: Portugal gained independence from Spain and claims all of Brazil. Late 1600s: People discovered gold in Ouro Preto.
1700s 1789: Brazilians lead a failed revolt against Portuguese rule.
1800s September 7, 1822: Brazil declares its independence from Portugal. 1841-1889 Dom Pedro II establishes public school system, built factories and railroads. 1888: Slaves in Brazil are freed. 1889: Brazil proclaims itself a republic.
1930s 1930: The government is overthrown by military officials and Getulio Vargas. 1937: Getulio Vargas becomes dictator and removes many freedoms.
1940s 1942: Brazil enters World War II. 1945: Vargas is removed from power. 1946: A new constitution restores individual rights.
1960s 1960: Brazil moves its capital from Rio de Janeiro to Brasilia. 1964: Military leaders take control of the government.
1980s 1985: Brazil’s government is returned to civilian rule and a president is elected. 1988: Brazil adopts a new constitution.
1990s 1992: Brazil’s Flag is modified.
2000s 2003: Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is elected president. 2009: Rio de Janeiro wins the bid for the 2016 Summer Olympics. 2010: Brazil elects it’s first woman president, Dilma Rousseff.