Why an Embalmed Heart Will Mark Brazil’s 200-Year Independence Celebration
Mark True (T) or False (F):
Brazil brought home a special gift to
commemorate 200 years of independence from
Portugal: the embalmed heart of Dom Pedro I, the
first Emperor of Brazil and a champion of
representative rule. The preserved organ is on
display for a ceremony today ahead of the milestone;
it arrived in Brasilia on Monday after being flown in
from Portugal via military plane.
“The heart will be received like a head of
state, it will be treated as if Dom Pedro I was still
living amongst us,” said Brazil foreign ministry’s
chief of protocol Alan Coelho de Séllos. “The
national anthem [will be played] and the
independence anthem, which by the way was
composed by Dom Pedro I, who as well as an emperor
was a good musician in his spare time.”
Reports earlier today said the ceremony will
include a cannon salute, a guard of honor, and full
military honors.
After the event, the Brazilian public will be
able to see it in a foreign ministry building before it
is returned to Portugal on Sept. 8. Per his will,
Pedro’s heart was kept in Porto—preserved in a
formaldehyde glass vase at a church.
Pedro, who lived from 1798 until 1834, also
ruled as King Pedro of Portugal. He was part of
Portugal’s royal family, which fled to Brazil as
Napoleon’s army invaded their country. Pedro
resisted efforts from the Portuguese parliament to
keep Brazil colonized and return to his home
country, instead helping lead Brazil to independence
on Sept. 7, 1822, after which he was named Emperor.
Although fondly remembered by Brazilians
for his role in liberating the country, his rule turned
out to be relatively heavy-handed. He dissolved the
Brazilian Assembly as they were in the process of
creating a liberal constitution, and exiled radical
leader José Bonifácio de Andrada e Silva, who was
also instrumental in helping Brazil achieve
independence. Local uprisings eventually led Pedro to
renounce his throne and hand it over to his son in
1831. He then returned to Portugal.
Pedro died at the age of 35 from
tuberculosis. While his heart resides in Porto, his
body remains in São Paulo.
1. Dom Pedro I is visiting Brazil to celebrate 200
years of independence. ( )
2. Dom Pedro’s heart arrived in Brazil’s federal
capital. ( )
3. The independence anthem was composed by
Alan Coelho de Séllos. ( )
4. Dom Pedro I was a good musician. ( )
5. Dom Pedro I’s heart will be received in Brazil
as a head of state. ( )
6. The heart will remain in Brazil. ( )
7. Dom Pedro I was named Emperor after leading
Brazil to independence. ( )
8. Dom Pedro I also helped create Brazilian first
constitution. ( )
9. Dom Pedro renounced his throne and handed it
over to his grandson. ( )
10. Dom Pedro’s body is in Portugal. ( )
Answer the questions:
1. Why did Dom Pedro I’s heart arrive to Brazil?
____________________________________
2. What is Brazil celebrating on September 7?
____________________________________
3. How was the heart received in Brazil?
____________________________________
____________________________________
4. Who composed Brazil independence anthem?
____________________________________
5. Why did Portugal’s royal family go to Brazil?
____________________________________
6. Did Dom Pedro do what the Portuguese
parliament wanted him to do? What did he do
instead?
____________________________________
____________________________________
7. When was Brazil’s independence declared?
____________________________________
8. What did Dom Pedro do after he declared
Brazil’s independence?
____________________________________
____________________________________
9. What happened in 1831?
____________________________________
____________________________________
10. Where do Dom Pedro I’s body and heart
reside?
____________________________________
Mark True (T) or False (F):
1. Dom Pedro I is visiting Brazil to celebrate 200 years of independence. ( F )
2. Dom Pedro’s heart arrived in Brazil’s federal capital. ( T )
3. The independence anthem was composed by Alan Coelho de Séllos. ( F )
4. Dom Pedro I was a good musician. ( T )
5. Dom Pedro I’s heart will be received in Brazil as a head of state. ( T )
6. The heart will remain in Brazil. ( F )
7. Dom Pedro I was named Emperor after leading Brazil to independence. ( T )
8. Dom Pedro I also helped create Brazilian first constitution. ( F )
9. Dom Pedro renounced his throne and handed it over to his grandson. ( F )
10. Dom Pedro’s body is in Portugal. ( F )

Answer the questions:

1. Why did Dom Pedro I’s heart arrive to Brazil?
To celebrate Brazil’s 200-year independence.
2. What is Brazil celebrating on September 7?
Its independence from Portugal.
3. How was the heart received in Brazil?
The heart will be received like a head of state, it will be treated as if Dom Pedro I
was still living amongst Brazilians.
4. Who composed Brazil independence anthem?
Dom Pedro I did.
5. Why did Portugal’s royal family go to Brazil?
They fled to Brazil when Napoleon’s army invaded Portugal.
6. Did Dom Pedro do what the Portuguese parliament wanted him to do? What did
he do instead?
No, he led Brazil to its independence from Portugal instead.
7. When was Brazil’s independence declared?
On September 7, 1822.
8. What did Dom Pedro do after he declared Brazil’s independence?
He dissolved the Brazilian Assembly as they were in the process of creating a liberal
constitution, and exiled radical leader José Bonifácio de Andrada e Silva.
9. What happened in 1831?
Dom Pedro renounced his throne and handed it over to his son.
10. Where do Dom Pedro I’s body and heart reside?
His heart resides in Porto (Portugal) while his body resides in São Paulo (Brazil).