Where this was said
Independence or Death: 7 September 1822
At 22:33 · chapter starts 21:00
By January 1822, Brazilian politicians have presented Dom Pedro with a petition of 8,000 signatures begging him to stay, and he has publicly committed to doing so. The break with Portugal accelerates until August 1822, when a Portuguese ship arrives ordering him to return immediately and accusing his ministers of treason. Messengers are sent to find Pedro, who is returning from a visit to São Paulo — and they catch up with him on the morning of 7 September 1822, the most important date in Brazilian history. The scene is magnificently undignified: Dom Pedro is riding a ragged horse in plain military dress, repeatedly obliged to dismount to relieve himself from intense diarrhea caused by drinking dirty water. He reads the demand from the Portuguese parliament, throws it on the ground, stamps on it, and asks his confessor what to do. The priest tells him there is no path but independence — or else he will be taken prisoner and probably disinherited. Pedro responds by tearing the Portuguese ribbon from his hat, drawing his sword, and shouting 'Independence or death!' Three separate eyewitnesses confirm the moment happened exactly as described. [1] — Dominic Sandbrook "On 7 September 1822, the future Emperor of Brazil received the Portuguese parliament's order to return home while suffering severe diarrhea…" 20:50
Brazil's iconic green and yellow aren't tropical colours chosen to represent the jungle and sunshine. Green represents the House of Braganza, Portugal's ruling dynasty. Yellow represents the Habsburgs — the family of Dom Pedro I's wife. Brazil's flag is essentially a European dynastic tribute.
