Brazil
1494
Pope Alexander VI gives Brazil to Portugal. Brazil is home to 4-30 million Indians at this time.
 |  This is what Pedro Alvares Cabral's ship looked like back in 1500 when he set off to explore Brazil. This replica sails at Guanabara Bay in Rio de Janeiro. |
Portuguese explorer Pedro Alvares Cabral is the first European to set foot in Brazil as we know it today.
1501-02
Amerigo Vespucci names each newly discovered place along Brazil's coast after the saint on whose day it was discovered.
1550
Sugar cane, grown by African slaves on plantations, becomes Brazil's national crop.
1695
A gold rush begins! With the discovery of this precious mineral, settlers rush into southeastern Brazil.
1763
Rio de Janeiro becomes the capital of Brazil.
1822
Pedro I declares Brazil's independence from Portugal.
1840
Dom Pedro II becomes emperor of Brazil.
1889
After freeing all slaves in 1888, Pedro II is forced to give up his throne by military forces. Brazil is declared a republic.
1890s
Coffee becomes Brazil's most important crop. The boom in coffee production brings a wave of almost one million European immigrants during the 19th century.
1894
Prudente de Morais is the first elected civilian President.
1942
Brazil declares war on Germany. It is the only Latin American country to play an active role in World War II.
|  Brazil's soccer star Pelé kicks the ball over his head during a game in September 1968. |
With superstar Pelé leading the way, Brazil's soccer team wins the World Cup.
1960
Brasília replaces Rio de Janeiro as Brazil's capital city.
1969-74
A huge road construction project encourages people to settle in the Amazon region of Brazil.
1977
Brazilian Indians, or native peoples, gather at their first national conference.
1988
A new democratic constitution is established. Indians get full civil rights.
|  A Pataxo Indian and his son prepare for a protest against celebrations of Brazil's 500th anniversary. For them, it represents five centuries of harsh rule and destruction. |
1992
The United Nations Earth Summit takes place in Rio de Janeiro. It's the largest gathering of world leaders ever.
1994
Brazil wins its fourth World Cup in soccer – a world record.
2000
Brazil celebrates its 500th anniversary as a country.