Cabral, Pedro Alvares b. 1467 d. 1520 Explorer. Born in 1467, he was a Portuguese nobleman, explorer and navigator whose patron was King Manuel I of Portugal. On March 9, 1500, Cabral was sent on an expedition to India, with 13 ships. On April 22, 1500, he was the first European to see Brazil, claiming it for Portugal and naming it the "Island of the True Cross". King Manuel renamed this land "Holy Cross" and it was later renamed to Brazil. After Cabral returned to Portugal, he headed trade expeditions until he retired and died in...[Read More] (Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith) City Church, Santarem, Viseu, Portugal
Of Portugal, Fernão I The Beautiful b. October 31, 1345 d. October 22, 1383 Portugese Monarch. He reigned as King of Portugal from 1367 to 1383. He was the son and legal heir of King Pedro I and his queen Constance of Castile. On the death of king Pedro the Cruel of Castile in 1369, Dom Fernão, as great grandson of king Sancho IV of Castile, ladi claim to the vacant throne in the neighbouring country, for which the kings of Aragon and Navarra and later the Duke of Lancaster, John of Gaunt, also became competitors.Meanwhile Enrique de Trastemara, illigitimate brother...[Read More] (Bio by: Benny Chordt Hansen) Convento de São Francisco, Santarem, Viseu, Portugal
Salazar, Antonio b. April 28, 1889 d. July 27, 1970 Portugese Dictator. Fascist dictator of Portugal from 1932 to 1968. As Prime Minister holding absolute power, in 1933 he introduced a new constitution that contained similarities to the fascist system that existed in Germany and Italy. He was also a strong supporter of Francisco Franco during the Spanish Civil War. (Bio by: Erik Lander) Santa Comba Dão Cemetery, Santa Comba Dao, Viseu, Portugal
Viriathus b. 180 d. 139 Lusitanian freedom fighter. He lived from 180 to 139 BC. Viriathus and his men hit the roman legions hard and they incurred many losses. He was killed during negotiations for peace and the rebellion fell apart. (Bio by: girlofcelje) Cova do Viriato Park, Viseu, Viseu, Portugal
b. 1467 d. 1520