Independence of Brazil

Hello. My name is Pedro, and I want to tell you a story about my home. I was born a prince in a faraway land called Portugal. When I was just a boy, my whole family, including my father the king, had to pack up everything and sail across the giant ocean. There was trouble back home, so we traveled for weeks on a big ship until we reached a beautiful, warm country called Brazil. As soon as I arrived, I fell in love. The trees were taller than any I had ever seen, the birds were painted with all the colors of the rainbow, and the people were so kind and full of life. Even though I was a prince from Portugal, my heart felt like it belonged in Brazil. It truly felt like my home.

As I grew up, my father, King John VI, had to return to Portugal. He looked at me and said, “Pedro, you are in charge now. Take good care of Brazil.” I promised I would. But soon, some powerful people back in Portugal started making new rules. They wanted Brazil to stop being an important kingdom and go back to being a place that just followed orders. The Brazilian people were worried. They came to me and begged, “Please, Prince Pedro, do not leave us. Stay and be our leader.” On January 9th, 1822, I made a big promise. I stood before everyone and declared, “I am staying.”. But the trouble didn't stop. A few months later, on September 7th, 1822, I was riding my horse by the Ipiranga River when a messenger gave me some news. Portugal was trying to take away Brazil’s freedom. I knew in that moment what I had to do. I pulled out my sword, held it high in the air, and shouted for all my soldiers to hear, “Independência ou Morte.”. That means “Independence or Death.”. I had decided that Brazil would be its own country, free to make its own choices.

After my big announcement, there were celebrations all over Brazil. Everyone was so happy and excited. They didn’t have to follow rules from a country that was an entire ocean away anymore. I became the first leader of this new, free nation. They called me Emperor Pedro I of the Empire of Brazil. From that day on, Brazil was an independent country. It was like a young bird finally leaving the nest, ready to fly on its own. My decision helped Brazil grow into the big, strong, and wonderful country it is today. I learned that sometimes you have to be very brave and stand up for the home you love, so it can become the best place it can be for everyone who lives there.