Brazilian Days (333): November 29

Brazilian Days 333

November 29

DAY OF:

Dia Internacional da Solidariedade com o Povo Palestino

(International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People). In 1977, this day was established by the UN General Assembly. The day of 29 was chosen, since it refers to the acceptance of Resolution 181 in 1947, which cause the division of Palestina. In Brazil, about eight million people are of Arabic origin, mainly from Syria and the Lebanon. Brazil is considered as a good example of a society in which Arabs, Jews and Christians live together in peace.

BRAZILIAN HISTORY:

1947
Osvaldo Aranha appointed as chairman of the II General Assembly of the United Nations .

During this memorable assembly, the split-up of Palestina became a fact. Osvaldo Euclides de Souza Aranha (1894-1960), head of the Brazilian delegation, supported this resolution, no. 181. In 2007, a street in Tel Aviv (Israel) was named after him. Osvaldo studied Law and succeeded Getúlio Vargas as governor of the state of Rio Grande do Sul. During the Second World War, it was partly because of his efforts that Brazil chose to join the allied forces, and ended diplomatic ties with the countries of the Axis. Thanks to Osvaldo, the tradition was started that the first speaker of the General Assembly is always a Brazilian.

1877
Inauguration of the first telephone installation in Brazil.

In 1876, Alexander Graham Bell demonstrated his invention at the World Expo in Philadelphia: the telephone. Brazilian emperor Pedro II visited this exhibition and was impressed. His contact with the inventor resulted in the construction of the first telephone line from the imperial residence to several government departments. The telephone company responsible was called “Western and Brazilian Telephone Company”.

1842
Use of Brazilian stamps permitted per decrees.

In 1840, world’s first stamps were issued in the United Kingdom. Brazil became one of the first countries with stamps: the first was issued on 1 August 1843. Before it could be realized, special laws had to be accepted. Two decrees, no. 254 and no. 255, were needed to have the stamp accepted as a payment method.