Check out five milestones of Rio's history

Transformation into Brazilian capital

Arquivo/Fundação Biblioteca Nacional

                                                                                                                                                                        Arquivo/Fundação Biblioteca Nacional

Because of the great importance it amassed as a port, Rio de Janeiro was chosen as the second capital of Brazil, a status it obtained in 1763 and would only lose in 1960, with the construction of the new capital in Brasília, While no longer the capital, Rio remains one of the most important cities in Brazil.

Refuge

                                                                                                                                                    Geoffrey William Hunt/Prefeitura do Rio de Janeiro

In 1808, faced with the threat of Napoleonic invasion, the Portuguese royal family took refuge in Brazil, settling in Rio de Janeiro and attracting the European nobility to the city. Brazil became the seat of the Portuguese Crown, which caused friction with the population of that country, as it was then its colony.

Vaccine Revolt

		Ministério da Saúde

In 1904, the city faced an epidemic of smallpox, in addition to an infestation by the mosquitoes that transmit yellow fever and mice that transmitted the bubonic plague. Oswaldo Cruz, a visionary public health specialist, proposed mandatory vaccination (unheard of at the time), the inspection of residences and even demolition of mansions, tenements and other constructions. Rejecting the idea of the invasion of their homes and exposure of their body to take the mandatory vaccine, in addition to not believing in its effectiveness, the population staged a revolt against the police and the Army in November, which was later repressed.

Archaeological discovery

                                                                                                                                                                                                           Oscar Liberal/Iphan

Located in the Port Zone of Rio de Janeiro, the Valongo Wharf was the main entry point of African slaves into Brazil. Landfilled in the early 20th century, the wharf was rediscovered in 2011 during the infrastructure works for the 2016 Olympics. The archaeological site houses thousands of objects, such as shells, necklaces, shoes, amulets and others. In July 2017, it was inscribed in the World Heritage Site List of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco).

2016 Olympic Games

                                                                                                                                                                                         Prefeitura do Rio de Janeiro

The first ever to be held in South America, the Rio 2016 Olympic Games were a success in audience numbers and tourist happiness. Several important sport records were broken at the Games, which left a great legacy that consolidated the event as part of the country’s history. Rio's infrastructure saw a number of improvements come faster because of it, such as the Porto Maravilha port zone development project, the Light Rail Vehicle (LRV) and the BRT bus lines, in addition to the Olympic Villages themselves, which became housing developments after the Games.