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.

crossing the atlantic, at its narrowest point, after following the coast of africa, cabral 'accidently' bumped into brazil and was not sure if he discovered a large island, or new continent - he made landfall on the 22nd of april. and claimed the new land for portugal.

originally called true cross island (ilha de vera cruz) it eventually became the country of brazil with the discovery of brazilwood (pau-brasil) in 1511.