Afonso (1845–1847) was the Prince Imperial and heir apparent to the throne of the Empire of Brazil. Born in Rio de Janeiro, he was the eldest child of Emperor Dom Pedro II and Dona Teresa Cristina of the Two Sicilies, and thus a member of the Brazilian branch of the House of Braganza. With the birth of his child, the insecure and shy 19-year-old Emperor Pedro II became more mature and outgoing. Afonso's arrival also fostered a closer and happier relationship between his parents, who had not married for love. Afonso died from epilepsy at the age of two, devastating the emperor. After the loss of his other son, doubts grew in Pedro II's mind that the imperial system could be viable. He still had an heir in his daughter Isabel, but he was unconvinced that a female would prove to be a suitable successor. He became careless about the effects of his policies on the monarchy, provided his daughter Isabel with no training for her role as potential empress, and failed to cultivate her acceptance within the country's political class. Pedro II's lack of interest in protecting the imperial system ultimately led to its downfall.
Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afonso,_Prince_Imperial_of_Brazil
_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:
1739:
The identity of English highwayman Dick Turpin, who had been living under an alias in York, was uncovered by his former schoolteacher, who recognised his handwriting, leading to Turpin's arrest. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dick_Turpin
1885:
Sino-French War: France gained an important victory in the Battle of Đồng Đăng in the Tonkin region of what is now Vietnam. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_%C4%90%E1%BB%93ng_%C4%90%C4%83ng
1909:
The Silver Dart was flown off the ice of Bras d'Or Lake on Cape Breton Island, making it the first controlled powered flight in Canada and the British Empire. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AEA_Silver_Dart
1945:
American photographer Joe Rosenthal took the Pulitzer Prize- winning photograph Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima during the Battle of Iwo Jima, an image that was later reproduced as the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raising_the_Flag_on_Iwo_Jima
2005:
The controversial French law on colonialism, requiring lycée teachers to teach their students "the positive role" of French colonialism, was passed, creating so much public uproar and opposition that it was repealed less than one year later. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_law_on_colonialism
_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:
salami tactics: The piecemeal removal or scaling back of something (especially political opposition); a gradual attack on an opposing position, group, etc. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/salami_tactics
___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:
At some time, here or hereafter, every account must be settled, and every debt paid in full. --John Heyl Vincent https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/John_Heyl_Vincent
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