Independence Restoration Day in Portugal commemorates the restoration of Portuguese independence in 1640 after 60 years of Spanish rule. It marks the uprising in Lisbon that ended the Iberian Union and placed King John IV of the House of Braganza on the throne. The day symbolizes national sovereignty, unity and resilience, celebrating Portugal's return as an independent kingdom.

When is Independence Restoration Day?

Independence Restoration Day in Portugal is celebrated on December 1 every year.

The following is the list of Independence Restoration Day from 2020 to 2049.

The History of Independence Restoration Day?

In 1580, after the death of King Sebastian I (who died in battle in Morocco) and his elderly successor Cardinal Henry, Portugal faced a succession crisis. Philip II of Spain (also Philip I of Portugal), claiming the throne through his mother's lineage, invaded Portugal and united the two kingdoms under one crown.

This began the Iberian Union (1580–1640), a 60-year period during which Portugal was ruled by the Spanish Habsburg monarchs. Although Portugal retained its own laws, currency, and colonial empire, Spanish dominance gradually weakened the nation's autonomy and global standing.

Over time, Spanish kings treated Portugal's empire as part of Spain's resources, leading to economic decline and resentment. Portuguese nobles lost influence, taxes increased, and Portugal became entangled in Spain's wars with France, England, and the Netherlands. Growing dissatisfaction among the nobility, clergy and merchants laid the foundation for rebellion.

On December 1, 1640, a group of Portuguese nobles known as the Forty Conspirators launched a coordinated revolt in Lisbon. They stormed the Ribeira Palace, arrested the Spanish governor, and killed her secretary, Miguel de Vasconcelos, a symbol of Spanish oppression.

That same day, the conspirators proclaimed João, Duke of Braganza, as King John IV, restoring Portugal's independence and founding the House of Braganza, which ruled until 1910. This event marked the end of the Iberian Union and the beginning of the Portuguese Restoration War (1640–1668).

The war lasted 28 years, but Portugal steadily consolidated its sovereignty. Spain finally recognized Portuguese independence through the Treaty of Lisbon in 1668, under King Afonso VI. The restoration reaffirmed Portugal's national identity and global presence, allowing it to rebuild its empire and reclaim its status as a major European power.

December 1 was celebrated as a national holiday almost immediately after 1640. It became a cornerstone of Portuguese patriotism, symbolizing resilience, independence and unity.

During the Estado Novo dictatorship (1933–1974), the holiday remained important, emphasizing nationalism and loyalty to the regime. However, in 2012, during Portugal's economic austerity measures, the government temporarily suspended the public holiday along with several others to boost productivity.

In 2016, the holiday was officially reinstated, reflecting its deep cultural and historical significance.

Independence Restoration Day reminds the nation that Portugal's independence, once lost, was bravely reclaimed through determination and solidarity.