Wikipedia:Today's featured article/February 26, 2006
The history of Portugal from 1777 to 1834 begins with the reign of Maria I and ends with the Liberal Wars in 1834, spanning a complex historic period in which several important political and military events led to the end of the absolutist regime and to the installment of a constitutional monarchy in the country. In 1807, Napoleon ordered the invasion of Portugal and subsequently the Royal Family escaped to Brazil. This would be one of the causes for the declaration of Brazilian independence by Peter I of Brazil in 1822, following a liberal revolution in Portugal. The liberal period was stormy and short as Prince Michael of Portugal (Peter's brother) supported an absolutist revolution that restored all power upon the monarch. Peter would eventually return to Portugal and fight and defeat his brother in the Liberal Wars in which liberalism was completely installed and Portugal became a constitutional monarchy. (more...)
Recently featured: Médecins Sans Frontières – Flag of Mexico – Panama Canal