Brazilian Days (176): June 25

Brazilian Days 176

June 25

 

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DAY OF:

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Dia do Quilo

(Kilo). Recently (2012), the Brazilian Congress approved a law, which introduces the Dia do Quilo on November 3, the birth date of Brazilian sociologist and human rights activist Herbert José de Sousa, better known as Betinho (1935-1997). His major achievement was his participation in the actions against hunger in Brazil. ‘Quilo’ refers to the weight of basic nutrition, as it is collected at charity events.

Um diz isso, um diz aquilo,
mas hoje é dia do quilo.
Comemora-se junto ao feirante
ou do vendedor ambulante.

O comerciante atende a pedida
sempre respeitando a medida.
Respeito ao comprador
é o símbolo do vendedor.

O trabalho de fiscalização
sempre entra em ação
para evitar o embuste.

Quem tenta enganar o freguês,
seja dia, ano ou mês
com a lei tem seu ajuste.

(Gilson Lira)

^source

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Dia do Imigrante

(Immigrant). June 19 was the Day of the Migrant. Today is the Day of the Immigrant. Brazil, as part of the ‘New World’, has welcomed millions of immigrants. About one century ago, about one-third of the immigrants were Portuguese, more than 270 thousand. The German migrant community in Brazil is the second largest German community outside Germany. The Japanese community is the largest outside Japan. There is another Day of the Immigrant on Dec 1.

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BRAZILIAN HISTORY:

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1980

Election of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva as chairman of Partido dos Trabalhadores (PT).

Former Brazilian president Lula (2003-2011) made a giant leap forward towards the presidency. He lost three consecutive presidential elections, before he became president.

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Lula in 1980

Lula as union leader, during the 80’s.

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1869

Conquest of the Fortress in Humaitá by generaal Osório.

The Fortress of Humaitá was located at the left margin of the Paraguay River and was part of the defense system of the capital of Paraguay, Ascunción, which was located north of Humaitá. The fall of this fortress gave free access to the capital, and Ascunción soon was invaded by the armies of the Triple Alliance (Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay). Soon thereafter, the entire Paraguayan army surrendered.

^source

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1988

Foundation of the PSDB (Partido da Social Democracia Brasileira; Brazilian Social Democratic Party).

The political party is considered to belong to the central-left wing, although some critics indicate the party as a centrist or a right-centrist party. Ex-president Fernando Henrique Cardoso (FHC; 1998-2002) was one of the founders. More prominent party members are former governor of São Paulo José Serra, governor of São Paulo Geraldo Alckmin (both were presidential candidates but lost to Lula and Dilma), former governor of Minas Gerais Aécio Neves (grandson of Tancredo Neves), and governor of Minas Gerais Antônio Anastasia. The toucan is the symbol of the party; therefore, the party members are called ‘tucanos’.

From left to right: the ‘tucanos’
Alckmin, Serra, Cardoso, and Neves (foto)

By Adriano Antoine Robbesom © 2007, 2015
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Brazilian Days (175): June 24

Brazilian Days 175

June 24

 

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DAY OF:

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Dia da Indústria Gráfica

(Graphic Industry). On this day, celebrated in Latin America, the birthday of Johannes Gutenberg, inventor of the book press, is commemorated; his birth date, however, is indicated as not known in the majority of sources. The day of the Graphic industry was proposed by Damiro de Oliveira Volpe at the First Brazilian Congress of the Graphic Industry (Congraf); it took some decades, before the date was introduced in 1988.

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Dia do Caboclo

(Caboclo, Mameluco). Caboclo refers to the mixture of the white with the indigenous race, with predominant indigenous features. The Caboclo-”race” is strong and has a natural beauty. It is hard to estimate the number of Brazilians that may call themselves caboclos. Some sources estimated no less than one quarter of the Brazilian population, partly due to the large numbers of babies born with indigenous women, with European fathers. Children from white and black parents are called mulatos, and children with black and indigenous parents are called curibocas or cafusos.

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Dia Mundial dos Discos Voadores

(International UFO Day).On June 24, 1947, American pilot Kenneth Arnold observed the first appearances that later would be named UFO’s (Unidentified Flying Objects). Only a few weeks later, the famous Roswell UFO Crash occurred. In Brazil, they are called OVNI’s (objetos voadores não identificados), and also in Brazil such UFO’s have been observed. In 1997, above the state of Pará, and on May 19, 1986 was the famous Night of the UFO’s with at least 21 mysterious flying objects (see video fragment). According to non-official sources, ET’s (extra-terrestrials) were captured, in 1996. Read more in article one and two.

‘ET’ of Varginha (MG).

UFO’s/ OVNI’s
Official recognition of UFOs in 1896	Testimonial by Kenneth Arnold (1947)

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Dia da Aviação de Ligação e Observação e Dia da Aviação de Reconhecimento

(Military Air Patrol, Observation, and Identification).

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Dia Nacional do Bacamarteiro

(Bacamarteiro). The Bacamarteiro is a folkloric personality, which is associated with the Festas Juninas (June Festivals). Their presence is generally associated with a lot of noise. The bacamarteiro is a gunman who makes use of the bacamarte. The English word for bacamarte is blunderbuss, derived from the Dutch word ‘donderbus’. The gunman wears blue clothes, a gold-colored hat, and his sandals and cartridge are tin plated.

^bron

BACAMARTEIROS
Tradition of Bacamarteiros	Luiz Gonzaga: Os Bacamarteiros

Hoje é o dia do Bacamarteiro
em todo território brasileiro.
Mas essa espécie de rifle artesanal,
é mais do Nordeste nacional.

A origem que se deseja,
diz da tradição sertaneja.
Sob o comando do Sargento,
simbolizam o conflito sangrento.

Durante os festejos juninos,
tanto adultos quando meninos
vão mantendo a tradição.

Na festança que vale ouro,
na cabeça o chapéu de couro
e o Bacamarte na mão.

(Gilson Lira)

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Dia da Comunidade Britânica

(British Community). This day is not identical to the Day of the Commonwealth, which is held in early March.

Unidos como uma só nação,
todo bravo povo Bretão.
Espalha-se em festa tamanha
por toda bela Grã-Bretanha.

No Reino Unido o progresso se fez,
na tradição nada melhor que o Inglês.
Como Londres não há igual,
é um monumento de Capital.

Foi-lhe generosa a natureza,
deu-lhe Deus uma realeza
que preserva o velho e o novo.

Ela atravessa por gerações,
respeitada por todas nações
e amada por todo seu povo.

(Gilson Lira)

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Dia Consagrado ao Orixá Xangô

(Orixá Xangô). St. John is the catholic image of Xangô, the Candomblé god of Justice. The power of Xangô is concentrated in the lightning, which can torment the earth, but also shed a light in the path of life. Xangô is depicted as an absolute ruler, a despot, but also as a god with a peculiar beauty, some kind of playboy.

^source

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BRAZILIAN HISTORY:

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1950

Inauguration of the Municipal Stadium in Rio de Janeiro with the World Cup opening match between Mexico and Brazil.

The soccer stadium is now better known as the Maracanã Stadium. Brazil won the match 4-0.

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1598

Conclusion of the construction of the Fortaleza dos Reis Magos (Fortress of the Three Kings), in Natal (RN).

The construction was started on January 6, 1598.

FORTALEZA DOS REIS MAGOS (RN)
Part 1	Part 2

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1750

Foundation of Convento Santa Teresa in Rio de Janeiro (RJ).

In 1620, two Carmelite sisters received an area at the Morro do Desterro (later renamed into Morro Santa Teresa) to construct a cloister dedicated to Santa Teresa d’Avila. In 1750, the cornerstone was placed. In 2007, the convent had undergone restorations and renovations.

Convento then (photo) and now (photo)

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1867

First Brazilian airborne military operation, with a balloon, during the Paraguayan War (1864-1870).

In Tuiuti, an observation balloon was brought into air. More 19 missions would follow in that war.

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1883

Inauguration of the public illumination system in Campos dos Goytacazes (RJ).

Emperor Dom Pedro inaugurated a thermo-electrical engine that consisted of 3 dynamos, with a capacity of 52 MW: enough to illuminate 39 street lanterns in the city. Campos became the first city in Southern America with public illumination.

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1912

Inauguration of the network of electric trams in Campinas (SP).

The Companhia Campineira de Tracção, Luz e Força (CCTLF) was responsible for the construction and exploitation of this network. See here for an elaborated image gallery of trams.

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2006

Announcement of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to run for re-election.

By Adriano Antoine Robbesom © 2007, 2015
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Brazilian Days (174): June 23

Brazilian Days 174

June 23

 

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DAY OF:

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Dia Olímpico Brasileiro

(Brazilian Olympic Athlete) Despite the size of the Brazilian population – about 200 million – only few Olympic medals were won by Brazilian athletes. They only won gold in 1920 (shooting), 1952 and 1956 (track and field), 1980 (2 medals, sailing), 1984 (track and field), 1988 (judo), 1992 (judo, volleyball), 1996 (volleyball, and 2 medals in sailing), 2004 (volleyball, beach volleyball, equestrian, and 2 in sailing), and 2008 (volleyball, track and field, swimming). In total 20 gold, 25 silver, and 46 bronze. Sailing athletes Robert Scheidt (2 gold, 2 silver) and Thorben Grael (2 gold, 1 silver, 2 bronze) are the most successful athletes.

Robert Scheidt (Athens 2004) / Logo of the Brazilian Olympic Committee

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Dia do Atleta Olímpico

(International Day of the Olympic Athlete). Since 1948, the day is commemorated as the foundation day of the International Olympic Committee, founded by French baron Pierre de Coubertin in 1894.

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Dia Internacional das Aldeias SOS

(International Day of SOS Children’s Villages). In 1949, Austrian Hermann Gmeiner (23 juni 1919-1986) founded the first SOS village in Imst. In 1960, the SOS Kinderdorf International was founded in Strasbourg, France.

Gmeiner’s motto was:
“Every big thing in our world only comes true, when somebody does more than he has to do.”

^{bron
Hermann Gmeiner in Brazil}

Initially, such projects were created in Europe, for war children, and abandoned children. Later, more villages were opened in countries as Korea, Vietnam, and a number of Latin American countries. In 2006, a joint campaign with the FIFA was organized, during the World Cup in Germany. In 2102, the organization runs projects in 133 countries.

Projects in 133 countries.

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Dia das Nações Unidas para o Serviço Público

(UN Day of Public Administration). The UNPAN (United Nations Online Network of Public Administration and Finance) selects and collects public services that should be publicly accessible to everyone. The day was introduced in 2003, after the acceptance of resolution 57/277 by the UN General Assembly.

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BRAZILIAN HISTORY:

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1970

Start of the construction of the metro network in Rio de Janeiro.

The metro network in Rio has a length of 41 km and counts 35 metro stations. Other Brazilian cities with metro networks are São Paulo, Brasília, Belo Horizonte, and Recife.

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1998

Death of singer Leandro (1961-1998), who formed a duo with his brother Leonardo.

Both were raised in a poor family in Goianópolis (GO). The sertanejo (Brazilian country music) duo gained national recognition in the eighties, and reached the superstar status in the nineties, ranking high in the Brazilian charts, and appearing in TV shows. Leandro was diagnosed with lung cancer, and died only two months later. His brother continued, with a solo career.

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1923

First soccer match played at night, illuminated by spotlights, as realized by employees of Light, in São Paulo.

The match between S. E. Linhas e Cabos and. A. A. República was played at Várzea do Glicério. Linhas lost the match, which was illuminated with the headlights of 20 electric trams of the city, with 1 to 2.

By Adriano Antoine Robbesom © 2007, 2015
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Imaging Brazil 286: Fisherman on the Shoreline in João Pessoa, PB (2010)

A personal selection of photographs with their stories.

286: Fisherman

Located between the more popular tourist capitals of Recife and Natal, João Pessoa has a lot to offer to Brazilian and foreign tourists who are attracted to the beautiful beaches within the city limits and beyond. The Areia Vermelha sandbank and the Jacaré river beach at the Paraíba River are worth visiting. Near this beach is an open-air market a broad variety of souvenirs and local crafts, as well as a number of eateries, bars and restaurants. At the time of the sunset, saxophonist Jurandy has continuously been sailing for over seventeen years to accompany the setting sun with his enchanting version of Ravel’s Bolero. The beaches are also visited by many fishermen, like this man in the picture.
 

© Adriano Antoine Robbesom 2010, 2017

Brazilian Days (173): June 22

Brazilian Days 173

June 22

 

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DAY OF:

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Dia do Orquidófilo

(Orchid lover). Orchids grow in various forms, shapes, and colors, and are beloved by many, all over the world. Orchids are tropical flowers, which are found in Brazil, amongst others. Many Brazilians have orchid plants in their garden, often hanging in a tree. Many orchid lovers cultivate large numbers of orchids, and some of them have created a special garden for their orchids. Orchid exhibitions are organized regularly, and also the city of Belo Horizonte does have a community of orchid lovers.

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Dia do Aeroviário

(Airline personnel). The profession of aeroviário was defined by law on June 22, 1962, per decree. These employers are responsible for the operations of airlines, from technical engineers to cabin crew.

Principal Brazilian airlines

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BRAZILIAN HISTORY:

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1552:

Arrival of D. Pero Fernandes Sardinha (1496-1556), first bishop of Salvador, in Brazil.

Dom Pero was the first bishop in Brazil. Only two weeks after his resignation as bishop of Salvador, he shipwrecked near the coast of Alagoas. For long it was assumed that the bishop was caught and devoured by caeté indigenous, but this version is highly controversial. Probably, one of the other survivors had killed the bishop and spread around the news about the cannibalistic indigenous, with the thought to obtain their land after having them massacred.

^source

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1890:

Provisional Constitution of the United States of Brazil.

In 1889, marshal Manuel Deodoro de Fonseca led the coup against emperor Pedro II, who was sent into exile. A new government was formed, led by De Fonseca. One year later, the provisional constitution was accepted, a constitution that was an analogue of the American constitution. De Fonseca became Brazil’s first president, marking the start of the first roaring years of the young Brazilian republic.

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1874:

Inauguration of the submarine telegraph cable between Brazil and Europe.

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1980:

Beatification of Jesuit priest José de Anchieta by Pope John Paul II

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1890

Ban on Companhia de Jesus, per decree (nº 510)

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1894

Proclamation of the victory of Prudente de Morais, by the National Congress, after the first direct presidential elections in Brazil.

By Adriano Antoine Robbesom © 2007, 2015

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Brazilian Days (172): June 21

Brazilian Days 172

June 21

 

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DAY OF:

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Dia da Mídia, Profissional de Mídia

(Media, media professional)

“The medium is the message”.

A famous quote of the Canadian communication specialist Marshall McLuhan. Media, in all varieties, is fully integrated in our society. McLuhan had another very striking quote:

“We drive into the future using only our rearview mirror”.

To think about…

^source

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Dia do Intelectual

(Intellectual)

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Dia do Mel

(Honey). Honey is a very popular natural product, also in Brazil. Honey appears to be very nutritive and beneficial, since it consists of water, glucosis, saccharosis, potassium, iron, sulfur, chloride, calcium, magnesium, zinc, phosphor, vitamins A, B complex, C, E, and natural antibiotics.

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Dia da Juventude Católica

(Catholic Youth)

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Dia Internacional da Música

(World Music Day). In 1982, the first World Music Day (Fête de la Musique) was organized in France; more countries followed, and also have activities about world music on June 21. World music is grossly defined as non-western music.

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Dia Nacional de Combate à Asma

(Combat of Asthma). According to numbers of the Brazilian Ministry of Health, about 7-10 percent of the Brazilian population is asthmatic, and about 350 thousand Brazilians are hospitalized for asthma, annually. Especially in winter (June-September), in the southern part of Brazil, when the air is very dry, and may be relatively cold.

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BRAZILIAN HISTORY:

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1868

Birth of writer Graça Aranha

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1839

Birth of writer Machado de Assis

MACHADO DE ASSIS
Biography	Centenary of his death
Machado de Assis 1	Machado de Assis 2
Memórias Póstumas de Brás Cubas (Complete movie, > 1h)

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1563

Start of the hostage of father José de Anchieta by indians in Iperoig

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1970

Brazilian national soccer team wins the FIFA World Cup Final. It is the third world championship for the Brazilans, and they received the Jules Rimet Cup.

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1986

Brazilian national soccer team eliminated by France, in the quarter finals of the FIFA World Cup in 1986.

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2004

Death of Leonel Brizola, leader of the PDT, former governor of Rio de Janeiro and Rio Grande do Sul. Leonel died of a pulmonary infection, at the age of 82.

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1968

Invasion of the student assembly at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), by the military police.

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1990

Little girl Daniela (4 years) is cured; this is considered as a wonder attributed to Frei Galvão.

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2002

Brazilian national soccer team won the match against England (2-1), during the FIFA World Cup.

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2006

Creation of three environmental reserves in the Amazon Forest.

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2007

Braskem declared to have developed the technology to produce plastics from ethanol.

By  Adriano Antoine Robbesom © 2007, 2015
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Imaging Brazil 285: Gorilla Relaxing in Belo Horizonte, MG (2010)

A personal selection of photographs with their stories.

285: Gorilla Idi Amin

Undoubtedly, the gorilla was one of the principal attractions in Belo Horizonte’s Zoo. This huge gorilla, named Idi Amin, came from France in 1975. At that time he was accompanied by a female gorilla, but when she and her successor had died, Idi lived for only 27 years in his mini jungle. In 2011, at the age of 38, he received a company of two females, but he died in the following year. Not much later, the jungle was populated by three other gorillas and even a gorilla was born.

 

© Adriano Antoine Robbesom 2010, 2017