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Quick Facts : Tiradentes Day
| Date: 21st April |
Type: National |
Also Called: |
| Celebrations:
Public Functions |
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Image Courtesy: wikiPedia |
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Tiradentes Day is celebrated every year on
21st April in Brazil. The day is celebrated
to commemorate the death of Joaquim Jose da
Silva Xavier, also known as Tiradentes.
The history of the Tiradentes Day in Brazil
dates back to the Portugal era. During
Portuguese rule in the country, the Portugal
government levied heavy taxes on Brazilians
despite low gold mining activity. Oppressed
by the rule and inspired by the French
Revolution, it was Joaquim Xavier who
decided to start a liberation movement
called Inconfidencia Mineira. The movment
was meant to gain complete freedom from
Portuguese rule.
Joaquim Xavier was a dentist by profession,
and hence, the name Tiradentes, which is
Brazilian for “Tooth Puller.” As part of the
liberation movement, it was decided that
people would take to the streets on the day
when tax was due, claiming complete
independence from Portuguese rule. However,
the plan was thwarted by Portuguese
authorities and the rebels were taken into
custody. It was Tiradentes who claimed full
responsibility for the movement. After being
tried for 3 years, he was hanged to death on
April 21st, 1792.
Three decades after his death, Brazil was
declared a republic and it was then that
Tiradentes was declared a national hero.
From 19th century onwards, 21st April is
celebrated as the Tiradentes Day to
celebrate the martyrdom of Tiradentes.
This day is a public holiday in Brazil with
all government offices, schools as well as
banks closed on this day. Government
officials holding high positions pay tribute
to Tiradentes on this day at Praca
Tiradentes, a national monument dedicated to
Tiradentes. The tributes are followed by an
official government speech dedicated to the
martyrdom of Tiradentes. There are not much
celebrations as such on this day. Most
Brazilizns choose to spend their day at home
on this national holiday. |
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Other holidays celebrated in Brazil
| New Year's Day |
Carnival |
| Good Friday |
Easter Day |
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Tiradentes Day |
Labor Day / May Day |
| Corpus Christi |
Independence Day |
| Holy Mary's Day |
Remembrance Day |
| Republic
Proclamation Day |
Christmas Day |
| New Year's Eve |
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