1500 The Portuguese fleet commander Pedro Alvares Cabral landed in Brazil and claimed it for his country.

1630 The Dutch invaded Brazil. The Portuguese
drove them out in 1654.

1750 Portugal and Spain signed a treaty fixing
areas of rule in South America.

1808-1821 The Portuguese royal family ruled Portugal and Brazil from Rio de Janeiro.

1822 Brazil declared its independence from
Portugal.

1888 Slavery was abolished in Brazil.

1889 Brazil proclaimed itself a republic.

1917 Brazil declared war on Germany in World
War I.
1930 Military officials made Getulio Vargas
president.

1942 Brazil declared war on the Axis in World War II.

1945 Brazil joined the United Nations.

1946 A new constitution restored individual
rights.

1960 Brazil moved its capital from Rio de
Janeiro to the newly built city of Brasilia.

1964 Military leaders took control of the
government.

1977 Manufactured products, for the first time, earned more income from exports than did agricultural products.

1985 Brazil’s government was returned to civilian rule.

1988 The Constituent Assembly promulgates the new constitution of Brazil, which expands citizen’s rights.

1989 Fernando Collor de Mello is elected in the first direct elections for president since 1960.

1994Brazil becomes four time world champion in soccer at the world cup.

1995 Fernando Henrique Cardoso takes office as president of the republic.

2002 Brazil become five-time world champion of soccer at the world cup.

2003 Luiz Inacio Lula de Silva takes office as president of the Republic.