‎Brazil News

On the day Brazil celebrated 199 years of its independence from Portugal, the National Flag flew in the sky over Brasília. One of the main national symbols arrived by parachute to Praça das Bandeiras, at Palácio da Alvorada, to be hoisted at the Sete de Setembro ceremony.

 

President Jair Bolsonaro traveled from Palácio da Alvorada to the place where the National Flag was raised in the traditional Rolls-Royce, accompanied by children. Driving the vehicle was three-time Formula 1 champion Nelson Piquet. The escort was made by the Cavalry of Dragons of Independence.

 

From an Air Force plane, 18 paratroopers jumped and landed in front of Alvorada. From the hands of a paratrooper, President Jair Bolsonaro received the flag that was raised.

 

While the National Flag gained the highest point of the hoist, the Ceremonial Band of the Presidential Guard Battalion performed the National Anthem and the Independence Anthem. The 21-shot Gala Salute was also part of this script.

Soon after, it was time for the Fab Air Demonstration Squadron to print in the sky, three thousand meters above the ground, the inscription in smoke “Ordem e Progresso”.

 

The Navy demonstrated a military exercise using helicopters and amphibious vehicles, which cut through Lake Paranoá, in the federal capital.

 

The ceremony ended with the traditional A-29 Super Tucano aircraft, from the Fumaça Squadron, which performed acrobatics and a lot of smoke trails in the sky.

 

National symbols

The Federal Constitution establishes four official symbols of the Brazilian Republic. They are: National Anthem, National Flag, National Arms (or National Coat of Arms) and the National Seal.

 

National anthem

Until 1922, there was no official lyrics for the National Anthem. The musical composition of conductor Francisco Manoel da Silva was defined as the Brazilian National Anthem in 1890, by means of a decree. But for the next 32 years, people sang the anthem with different and inappropriate lyrics. It was only on September 6, 1922, that the anthem gained official and definitive lyrics, written by Osório Duque Estrada in 1909.

 

Independence Anthem

Although not a national symbol, the Independence Anthem is part of the Sete de Setembro ceremonial. It was written by Dom Pedro I himself, who proclaimed the independence of Brazil on September 7, 1822. Evaristo da Veiga's lyrics exalt the bravery of the Brazilian people and the clamor for a free homeland in the repetition of the verses “Or stay a free homeland . Or die for Brazil”.

 

The Flag of Brazil

Another national symbol present in all Independence celebrations is the National Flag. It is hoisted daily at Palácio do Planalto, Palácio da Alvorada, official residence of the President of the Republic, and in public buildings.

 

Surrounded by honors, she brings some curiosities. If it stays up at night, it must be properly lit. When several flags are hoisted simultaneously, the national is the first to reach the top and the last to descend. It is considered disrespectful to the flag to present it in a poor state of conservation.

 

National Weapons

The National Arms or National Coat of Arms represent the glory, honor and nobility of the country and were created on the same date as the national flag. The use of the symbol is mandatory in the buildings of the Executive, Legislative and Judiciary powers and by the Armed Forces. They are also present in all public buildings, representing the characteristics that make up the Federative Republic.

 

The coat of arms is a blue shield, supported on a five-pointed star, arranged in the shape of the constellation Cruzeiro do Sul, with a sword at the ready. Around it is a wreath made of a fruited coffee branch and a flowering tobacco branch over a golden glow. The symbol also bears the date of proclamation of the Federative Republic of Brazil, November 15, 1889.

 

National Seal

The National Seal was also created in November 1889, in the government of Marechal Deodoro da Fonseca. The seal of Brazil is based on the sphere of the National Flag, represented by a circle surrounding the words “República Federativa do Brasil”. It is used to authenticate official documents, acts of government, diplomas and certificates issued by official or recognized schools.

 

Smoke Squadron

Traditional presence at the commemoration of September 7th, in Brasília, that of the Fumaça Squadron began to perform acrobatics without great pretensions.