Portugal’s Independence Day, officially known as the Restoration of Independence Day, is celebrated annually on December 1st. This national holiday commemorates the successful revolt in 1640 that ended 60 years of Spanish rule. The date marks the moment Portugal regained its sovereignty and restored its native monarchy following the period known as the Iberian Union. This event is a significant marker of national identity in Portuguese history.
The Restoration of Independence on December 1st
The holiday specifically celebrates the coup d’état that occurred on December 1, 1640, in Lisbon. This action was orchestrated by a group of Portuguese nobles who became known as the Forty Conspirators. Their plan involved storming the royal palace, the Paço da Ribeira, to seize control from the Spanish administration.
The conspirators successfully assassinated Miguel de Vasconcelos, the Secretary of State who governed Portugal on behalf of the Spanish King. They also arrested the King’s cousin, Margaret of Savoy, who was serving as the Vicereine of Portugal. This swift action effectively dismantled the Spanish administrative structure in Lisbon.
Following the successful revolt, the conspirators and the people of Lisbon acclaimed John, the 8th Duke of Braganza, as the new King. He accepted the throne, becoming King John IV and establishing the House of Braganza, which would rule Portugal for the next 270 years. The timing of the revolt was strategically chosen to coincide with Spain’s military preoccupation with the Thirty Years’ War and a major revolt in Catalonia.
The Historical Context of the 1640 Revolt
The period of Spanish rule, known as the Iberian Union, began in 1580 following a dynastic crisis. Portugal’s King Sebastian I died in battle in 1578 without a direct heir, leading to a succession struggle. Philip II of Spain, who had a claim through his mother, used a combination of diplomacy and military force to secure the Portuguese throne.
For the next six decades, Portugal was ruled by three successive Spanish monarchs, all named Philip, a period often called the Philippine Domain. While the Spanish kings initially promised to respect Portuguese customs and autonomy, discontent grew steadily. The Portuguese nobility saw their influence diminish as Spanish officials increasingly took over key administrative roles.
The Spanish Crown began imposing higher taxes on Portuguese merchants and used Portuguese resources and manpower to fund its foreign wars. This led to the loss of several Portuguese colonial possessions to rivals like the Dutch and English, who were at war with Spain. The growing dissatisfaction among the nobility and the general populace fueled the desire to restore an independent Portuguese monarchy.
The 1640 revolt initiated the Portuguese Restoration War, a conflict that lasted for 28 years. Although the war involved only a few major battles, it consisted primarily of skirmishes and raids along the border. Portugal secured diplomatic support from countries like England and France, who sought to weaken Spain. The conflict concluded with the signing of the Treaty of Lisbon in 1668, when Spain formally recognized Portugal’s sovereignty and independence.
Distinguishing December 1st from Other National Holidays
December 1st, the Restoration of Independence Day, is often confused with other significant national dates in Portugal. This holiday celebrates the restoration of the monarchy and sovereignty, but it must be distinguished from the country’s official National Day.
The official National Day is celebrated on June 10th, known as Dia de Portugal, de Camões e das Comunidades Portuguesas. This date commemorates the death of the revered national poet Luís de Camões in 1580 and is a celebration of Portuguese culture, language, and the global Portuguese diaspora. While December 1st marks a political and military victory, June 10th is a broader cultural observance.
Another distinct holiday is October 5th, which is Republic Day (Implantação da República). This date commemorates the 1910 revolution that successfully overthrew the monarchy and established the First Portuguese Republic. December 1st celebrates the end of foreign rule and the restoration of the monarchy, while October 5th celebrates the end of the monarchy and the beginning of the republican era.