Portuguese Republic Day
Portuguese Republic Day, celebrated annually on October 5, is a public holiday in Portugal that commemorates the establishment of the Portuguese Republic in 1910. This day marks the end of the monarchy, characterized by widespread discontent due to corruption and social inequities. The final monarch, King Manuel II, ascended to the throne under tragic circumstances and attempted to implement reforms, but these efforts ultimately failed to quell the growing demands for change. The turning point came on October 4, 1910, when a military revolt led to the monarchy's downfall and the king's subsequent exile. The following day was declared Republic Day, honoring the newly formed government that enacted a liberal constitution in 1911, which included the separation of church and state. Despite its progressive beginnings, the new republic struggled with political instability and periods of dictatorship for many years. It wasn't until the latter part of the 20th century that Portugal achieved a more stable democratic governance. This holiday not only reflects Portugal's historical transition but also serves as a moment of reflection on its ongoing journey towards democracy.
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Portuguese Republic Day
Portuguese Republic Day
October 5 of every year is a public holiday known as Republic Day in the nation of Portugal. Portugal shares the Iberian Peninsula with Spain in southwestern Europe and has a population of over 10 million people. The capital and largest city is Lisbon with just over 500,000 inhabitants.
Republic Day honors the establishment of the Portuguese Republic on October 5, 1910. The Braganza dynasty of Portuguese monarchs was weak, and although a succession of rulers had agreed to a variety of reforms and constitutional limits on their power, popular discontent was strong due to the corruption and class inequities in Portuguese society. King Manuel II, the last king of Portugal, took the throne in 1908 after King Carlos and Crown Prince Luis Filipe were assassinated. Not only was Manuel's succession tainted by the murders, which accentuated the monarchy's vulnerability, but he was not even 20 years old when he became king. Manuel tried to save his throne, dismissing an unpopular cabinet and approving free elections, but these elections simply led to more ambitious plans for reform by the victorious republican and socialist politicians.
The Portuguese military led the inevitable revolt on October 4, 1910, even shelling the royal palace, and Manuel quickly fled the country for England, where he remained for the rest of his life. October 5, marking the day after the successful revolt, became Portuguese Republic Day. The new republic adopted a liberal constitution in 1911, including such provisions as the separation of the Roman Catholic Church from the secular state, but it faced many problems. For decades Portugal was either wracked by rapid turnovers in government or subject to oppressive dictatorships. It was not until the last three decades of the 20th century that Portugal began to experience some stability under a truly democratic government.