Portugal Day is the official national holiday of Portugal, observed on June 10th each year. The day is intended to remember the death of Luís de Camões, who is recognised as the country’s greatest national icon.
He is most known for his poem, which narrates the story of Portuguese explorations in the 15th century and has since been accepted as a national poem in Portugal. However, because his birth date is uncertain, his death date, June 10, 1580, is commemorated as Portugal’s National Day.
As much as Luís de Camões came to represent Portuguese nationalism, Camões died during the succession crisis that led to Philip II of Spain taking Portugal’s throne in 1580. However, the kingdom recovered its independence on December 1, 1640, when the Spanish were expelled during the Portuguese Restoration War and John of Bragança was crowned King John IV of Portugal.
Camões’ poem, Os Lusíadas, became such a powerful symbol of Portuguese heritage that it was made a national anthem and was honoured by every elected government. Camões was even used as a symbol for the Portuguese people during the authoritarian regime of the 20th century.
Portugal Day has been observed every year save 1974 since its inauguration in 1944 by Prime Minister António de Oliveira Salazar. The Carnation Revolution, a military coup that deposed the autocratic Estado Novo dictatorship, halted the celebrations that year.
After 1974, the celebrations were expanded to include the Comunidades Portuguesas, Portuguese emigrants, and their descendants residing in communities all over the world.
The official celebrations were held in the town of Elvas for the second time since 1997, this time on July 4, 2013. As a reminder that it is also a day for the Portuguese community around the world, in 2016 the formal festivities were split between Lisbon and Paris for the first time.
Every Portuguese person takes pride in celebrating Portugal Day by paying tribute to Camões, because his poem chronicles the country's rich cultural history. The poem, which has inspired countless great deeds throughout Portuguese history, concentrates mostly on the 15th-century Portuguese discoveries, which brought fame and prosperity to the country. It is regarded as one of the best and most important works in Portuguese literature.
Every year on Portugal Day, children are told stories about Camões and how his achievements inspired numerous changes in the country. This contributes to the preservation of cultural heritage and assures that the tradition will be passed down through generations.
On Portugal Day, several festivities and parties are held in Portuguese cities. Portugal Day events are also held in Portuguese communities around the world to commemorate the unique day. Although Portugal Day is primarily honoured in Portugal as a national holiday, it is also recognised as such in some other nations. They include Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom.
Five Interesting Facts about Portugal...
The abolishment of slavery - Portugal was the first colonial country to abolish slavery in 1761.
The Portuguese language is very popular - Portuguese is the world's sixth most spoken language and the official language of nine countries.
The country had over 50 colonies - Portugal's colonial empire encompassed what are now 53 independent countries.
It is home to Europe’s longest bridge - With its six lanes and a cable-stayed structure across the Tagus River north of Lisbon, Portugal's Vasco da Gama Bridge is Europe's longest.
It is the oldest European country - Portugal was a kingdom for approximately 800 years, from 1139 until 1910, making it Europe's oldest nation.
