Pedro I (1798–1834) was the founder and first ruler of the Empire of
Brazil. As King Dom Pedro IV, he reigned over Portugal. Acting as
regent on his father's behalf, he declared the independence of Brazil
from Portugal on 7 September 1822. His acclamation as Brazilian emperor
was followed by a victorious war against Portuguese armies. From the
onset his reign was troubled by a long ideological conflict between him
and a sizable parliamentary faction over the role of the monarch in the
government. Other obstacles arose concurrently. In 1826 he briefly
became king of Portugal before abdicating in favor of his eldest
daughter, Dona Maria II. Her crown was later usurped by Prince Dom
Miguel, Pedro I's younger brother. At the same time the unsuccessful
Cisplatine War against the neighboring United Provinces of South America
led to the secession of a Brazilian province (later to become Uruguay).
Unable to deal with both Brazilian and Portuguese affairs, Pedro I
abdicated on 7 April 1831 and immediately departed for Europe to restore
his daughter to her throne. He invaded Portugal ahead of an army and
defeated his brother, dying soon after of tuberculosis at age 35.
Read more: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pedro_I_of_Brazil>
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Today's selected anniversaries:
1571:
Thomas Howard, 4th Duke of Norfolk, was arrested for his
involvement in a plot to overthrow Queen Elizabeth I and replace her
with Mary, Queen of Scots.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ridolfi_plot>
1652:
Chinese peasants on Taiwan began a rebellion against Dutch rule
before being suppressed four days later.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guo_Huaiyi_Rebellion>
1776:
American Revolutionary War: Sergeant Ezra Lee made the first
documented attack using a submersible when he piloted the Turtle
(replica pictured) to attempt to attach explosive charges on the hull of
HMS Eagle in New York Harbor.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Turtle>
1812:
Napoleonic Wars: The French Grande Armée forced the Russians
to withdraw at the Battle of Borodino.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Borodino>
1986:
Desmond Tutu became the first black person to lead the Church
of the Province of Southern Africa.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desmond_Tutu>
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Wiktionary's word of the day:
iatrogenesis:
(medicine) Any adverse effect (or complication) resulting from medical
treatment.
<https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/iatrogenesis>
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Wikiquote quote of the day:
I have often wished I had time to cultivate modesty… But I am too busy
thinking about myself.
--Edith Sitwell
<https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Edith_Sitwell>