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Oct 3, 1500
Portuguese land in Brazil
Portuguese land in current day Brazil and claim it for the Portuguese crown. -
Brazil splits from Portugal
Son of Portuguese King declares independence from Portugal and crowns himself Peter I emperor of Brazil. -
European immigrants move to Brazil
Slavery abolished. Large influx of European immigrants over the next decade. -
Monarchy overthrown
Monarchy overthrown, federal republic established with central government controlled by coffee interests. Brazil produces 65% of the worlds coffee by 1902. -
Getulio Vargas is the head of provisional revolutionary government
Revolt places Getulio Vargas at head of provisional revolutionary government. -
Economy is under the states control
Vargas leads coup, rules as dictator with military backing. Economy placed under authoritarian state control, start of social welfare revolution and reform of laws governing industry. -
Brazil is neutral
Brazil initially declares itself neutral but in 1943 joins Allies in World War II. -
Vargas elected president
Vargas elected president, but faces stiff opposition. -
Vargas commits suicude
Vargas commits suicide after military gives him the options of resigning or being overthrown. -
Juscelino Kubitschek is president
Juscelino Kubitschek is president, helping Brazil achieve rapid economic growth. -
New capital is Brasilia
Kubitschek moves capital to Brasilia. -
Janio Quadros is elected president but resigns after a few months
Janio Quadros elected president, but resigns after several months, plunging country into constitutional crisis. Succeeded by left-wing vice-president Joao Goulart. -
Goulart flees into exile
Goulart ousted in bloodless coup, flees into exile. Military rule associated with repression but also with rapid economic growth based on state-ownership of key sectors -
Ernesto Geisel becomes president
General Ernesto Geisel becomes president, introduces reforms which allow limited political activity and elections. -
Tancredo Neves elected president
Tancredo Neves elected first civilian president in 21 years under the electoral college system set up by the military, but falls ill before he can be inaugurated and dies shortly afterwards. His vice president Jose Sarney becomes president at time of economic crisis. -
New Constitution
New constitution reduces presidential powers. -
Fernado Henrique Cardoso elected president
Fernando Henrique Cardoso elected president after helping to bring inflation under control. Makes controversial moves on land issue, seizing land for distribution among poor, and allowing indigenous land claims to be challenged. -
Lula is elected president
October - Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, popularly known as Lula, wins presidential elections. The former shoeshine boy heads Brazil's first left-wing government for more than 40 years. At his inauguration in January 2003 he promises political and economic reforms and pledges to eradicate hunger.