1. History of Brazil

2. 1400s Europeans explore and settle Brazil.
1494: Spain and Portugal sign the Treaty of Tordesillas.

3. 1500s
April 22, 1500: Portuguese explorer Pedro Alvares Cabral lands in eastern Brazil and claims it for his country.

4. 1600s
1640: Portugal gained independence from Spain and claims all of Brazil.
Late 1600s: People discovered gold in Ouro Preto.

5. 1700s
1789: Brazilians lead a failed revolt against Portuguese rule.

6. 1800s
September 7, 1822: Brazil declares its independence from Portugal.
Dom Pedro II establishes public school system, built factories and railroads.
1888: Slaves in Brazil are freed.
1889: Brazil proclaims itself a republic.

7. 1930s
1930: The government is overthrown by military officials and Getulio Vargas.
1937: Getulio Vargas becomes dictator and removes many freedoms.

8. 1940s 1942: Brazil enters World War II.
1945: Vargas is removed from power.
1946: A new constitution restores individual rights.

9. 1960s 1960: Brazil moves its capital from Rio de Janeiro to Brasilia.
1964: Military leaders take control of the government.

10. 1980s
1985: Brazil’s government is returned to civilian rule and a president is elected.
1988: Brazil adopts a new constitution.

11. 1990s
1992: Brazil’s Flag is modified.

12. 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.