rio has a rich list of historical figureheads, who brought great changes.

estácio de sá was a portuguese solider, appointed commander of the 1564 fleet that sailed to brazil, to expel french colonists from, what is now, rio de janeiro - arriving in the area on march 1st 1565, estácio started construction of the city of são sebastião do rio de janeiro, and is so considered the founder of rio de janeiro.

princess isabel was imperial princess of brazil from the mid-19th century to the early 20th century. recognized as redemptive, princess isabel first signed the free womb law in 1871, feeing all children of slaves, and then the abolition of slavery in 1888, setting free over 4 million slaves.