Portugal Independence Day

This day celebrates when Portugal regained sovereignty after a period of Spanish rule between 1580 and 1640. Portugal was plunged into a royal crisis in 1587 following the death of King D. Sebastiao at the battle of Alcacer Quibir in North Africa. The King of Spain, Philip II, invoked his right to succession and ascended to the throne. Fearing for the loss of Portugal’s status, a revolution was led by the nobility and high bourgeoisie. On this day in 1640 the Portuguese monarchy was restored and a new ruling dynasty, the House of Braganca, was founded.