By Lise Alves, Senior Contributing Reporter
SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL – Military parades are scheduled in several cities throughout Brazil, as the country celebrates the 193rd anniversary of the proclamation of its independence from Portugal. Brazil’s President Dilma Rousseff took part in the parade in Brasília, along with her cabinet ministers and other dignitaries.
The parade in Rio de Janeiro began at 9:15 AM, at Avenida Presidente Vargas, and was attended by 4,000 people, with 3,000 soldiers, five hundred civilians and five hundred students. They passed the main podium, mounted in front of the Palacio Duque de Caxias, the seat of the Eastern Military Command (CML), members of the Navy, Army and Air Force, the Military Police of Rio de Janeiro and the Fire Department.
Also part of the parade were staff of the Federal Highway Police (PRF), the Municipal Guard, former fighters of the Brazilian Expeditionary Force (FEB), public schools, state, groups of associations and civil organizations such as the Union of Scouts of Brazil, Lions Club, Freemasonry, the Red Cross and the Legion of Good Will (LGW).
Tanks, military vehicles, motorcycles and horse troops also participated in the parade, which was opened by representatives of Paralympic athletes. A group of people in the stands mounted in front of the CML opened tracks in support of the armed forces and with slogans against communism and socialism.
The Independence of Brazil comprised a series of political events that occurred in 1821–1824, and the Dia da Independência (Independence Day), commonly called Sete de Setembro (September 7th), is the annual celebration that pays homage to the Declaration of Independence from Portugal on September 7, 1822.