Latest news and stories about historical events in Portugal for expats and residents.
A reflection on the historical or metaphorical moment when Portugal and Brazil chose to align their efforts.
“Revolutions”, by historian Donald Sassoon, analyses with expertise and opinionated ease the historical moments to which the term applies
For the first time in 12 years, Annie returns home to help make the revolution. On the 25th of April, the daughter of Silva Pais will become a kind of icon. And she does everything to try to save her father.
On October 5, 1910, republican politician José Relvas proclaimed the Portuguese Republic from the balcony of Lisbon City Hall. The event followed years of monarchical decline, exacerbated by the 1908 assassination of King Carlos I. Brazil's President, Marshal Hermes da Fonseca, was visiting Portugal at the time, with his delegation witnessing the revolution from the battleship São Paulo in the Tagus River. Consequently, Brazil became the first nation to recognise the new regime. Recently, President António José Seguro marked the 116th anniversary of the Republic by calling for a 'new political culture' based on long-term inter-party commitments to ensure the state serves all citizens effectively.
Creusa Raposo introduces a segment exploring the historical significance of October 5th in Portugal.
Portugal prepares to mark its 900th anniversary despite historical uncertainty regarding the exact date of its founding.
The government wants to celebrate the “founding of Portugal” between 2028 and 2043. In a process of independence marked by chance, progress, and setbacks, amidst battles and treaties, a birth date is missing.
Documentary tells the story of East Timor between 1975 and 1999 through participants in the armed, clandestine, and diplomatic resistance, including testimony from the protagonists of the struggle.
According to the UN, Prince Henry the Navigator would have been a Himmler, Vasco da Gama a Goering, Camões a Goebbels, and the Portuguese overseas territories an extermination camp like Auschwitz.
During the festivities of the City of Viseu, this competition took place, in which 6 machines competed between Viseu and Guimarães, covering a total of 500 km.
In June 1935, the Lisbon City Festivals featured a strong focus on sports. The '1st International Air Rally' was organised by the Aero Club of Portugal. The winner was French pilot Edward Bret, flying a 'Puss Moth' from Nice to the Amadora Airfield, with stops in France, Spain, and Portugal, covering a total distance of 4,559 km. Car races took place in Eduardo VII Park, right in the centre of Lisbon. The public and participants attended the motorcycle race, where the sound of engines drew thousands of people. One of the competitors in the car races, which were divided into four categories, was featured in a DN report published on 9 June 1935. In addition to an unprecedented gymnastics lesson that brought together over 4,000 children performing exercises under the guidance of teacher Júlio dos Santos—an execution which the DN noted was 'commanded by the beat of a drum'—motor sports were a major attraction for the public, featuring car and motorcycle competitions and even an 'International Air Rally'. This was won by the Frenchman Edward Bret, who flew from Nice to the Amadora Airfield. 1928. An Olympic reception for the team that brought thousands to Lisbon waiting for the result. 1940. Going from Lisbon to Caldas and back in a race with excitement until the end. 1934. Students from Madrid and Lisbon measured their strength in Iberian 'derbies'.
216 years ago, a small tactical victory created the conditions for a decisive strategic success: the expulsion of the French invaders during the Peninsular War.
According to a 1926 newspaper report, one of the thieves was questioned by the police: “Do you like apples?” Perplexed, the robber replied: “Why?”
In 1957, the Portuguese Radiotelevision covers the Montemor-o-Novo fair, where everything is sold, even snake oil.
Historical context on how Portugal historically enforced maritime tolls in the Strait of Hormuz, noting that such practices have long-standing precedents.
A look back at the 170th anniversary of the arrival of the railway in Portugal and its transformative impact on the country.
In this episode, Margarida de Magalhães Ramalho and Lourenço Pereira Coutinho invited Major-General Rui Moura, an expert in the history of the Peninsular War, to discuss the third French invasion of Portugal, specifically the crucial Battle of Bussaco, fought on 27 September 1810, which marks its 216th anniversary these days.
As I highlighted, the 'Open Letter' that Gonçalves Ferreira (a government official before the Revolution) addressed to his successor Cruz Oliveira (MFA) did not gain traction. It is fortunate that this was the case, as it formulated unfounded criticisms that merely reflected unjustifiable bitterness. After 25 April, Portugal was different. Free. Without censorship. Involved in building the future. Almost no one wanted to turn back. Naturally, at that time, the weaknesses in sanitation and housing infrastructure were similar to those that existed previously in 1971. However, three years later, the situation worsened due to the unexpected population increase following decolonisation, which saw about 600,000 people return to the country. In 1975 alone, in a short period, 500,000 new residents were recorded, more than 60% of whom came from Angola, where the same type of cholera was circulating: Inaba. Therefore, this migratory flow, resulting in a sudden 5% increase in the population, would end up worsening living conditions, particularly in poor and degraded regions, including rural areas. The situation was thus conducive to the spread of cholera, even from asymptomatic infected individuals who maintained the ability to transmit the vibrio via the faecal-oral route (through the consumption of contaminated water and food). Areas lacking potable water supply systems and sewage networks were critical. The epidemic ended in November 1974. However, the risks associated with the weaknesses in potable water supply, sewage, treatment plants, and waste collection and final treatment continued. A delay inherited from the previous regime. Incomprehensible for a European country. In the summer of 1975, in this dangerous environment, a new cholera epidemic broke out, albeit of smaller magnitude. It remained necessary to multiply preventive actions aimed at ensuring the disinfection of water for human consumption and food hygiene. In this context, the measures previously implemented likely contributed to accelerating the end of the outbreak. In the coordination of this work, sanitary engineer António Lobato Faria distinguished himself by issuing technical guidelines from the DGS. He also taught at the National School of Public Health, where he trained disciples who would become decisive in controlling the epidemic. The operations he recommended at the time seem laughable today. Caricatures. I myself, in the Baixo-Alentejo, participated in the planning of field activities with the perspective of ensuring the disinfection of water from wells in rural villages. (To be continued)
As the 900th anniversary of the founding of Portugal approaches, a debate emerges on how to celebrate the nation's origins without turning history into legend. The author argues that historical rigour and national celebration are not mutually exclusive, citing Alexandre Herculano's approach to the Miracle of Ourique as a model for critically examining myths while preserving their cultural significance. The upcoming commemorations should be an opportunity to understand Portugal's complex formation, conflicts, and identity without resorting to either blind patriotic dogma or historical self-flagellation.
An exhibition from the Ephemera archive, featuring nearly 600 items including forged magazines and satirical postcards, shows how Portugal was the stage for a propaganda battle during the conflict.
190 years ago, on 9 September 1836, the revolution took place that put an end to 'devorismo', that degeneration of liberalism which placed Church property within reach of those in power.
The speaker argues that Putin's actions lack legitimacy, drawing a parallel to the controversial 1969 Portuguese elections during the colonial war era.
An analysis by Rodrigo Tavares regarding the 900th anniversary of the founding of Portugal.
Bernard Shaw had already settled the matter: those who can, do. Those who cannot, teach. He missed a third option: those who can neither do nor teach and, therefore, call the UN.
The committee responsible for organising the 900th anniversary celebrations of Portugal's founding has been officially established.
In this episode, Margarida de Magalhães Ramalho and Lourenço Pereira Coutinho discuss the effervescent 1840s in Portugal, specifically focusing on the controversial figure of António Bernardo da Costa Cabral.
After the end of the Philippine dynasty, Ceuta became Spanish, and it remains so to this day. What is this territory, a unique case of European presence in continental Africa after the era of decolonisation?
Arriving late should be an advantage, because it gives you time to see the result in another country before repeating it. It is the only one we have and we never knew how to use it.
CNN Portugal commentator José Tomaz Castello Branco recalled on Correspondente de Guerra the assassination of Ahmad Shah Massoud, which took place two days before September 11.
