april 22nd - discovery of brazil (descobrimento do brasil) is the day that the first european set foot on what is now known as brazil - a ceremony is held in glória to honor pedro Álvares cabral's discovery of brazil, right at his monument. 

pedro Álvares cabral was a Portuguese explorer that set sail with 13 ships for India after vasco de gama's triumphant sailing around the cape of good hope and discovery the year before.