Tiradentes Day in Brazil Date in the current year: April 21, 2024

Tiradentes was born on November 12, 1746. His parents were very poor and died when he was young. He was adopted by his godfather and raised by a tutor, who was a surgeon. Tiradentes had no formal education, but that did not stop him from working in dental medicine. This is how he got his nickname: Tiradentes means “tooth puller”.

When Tiradentes joined the military, he witnessed the exploitation of Brazilians by the Portuguese and colonial poverty. In 1788, he became the co-creator of a separatist movement known as Inconfidência Mineira (Minas Gerais Conspiracy). The conspirators wanted to establish an independent republic.

Tiradentes' plan was to overthrow the Portuguese colonial government in February 1789. However, a member of the group betrayed them. Tiradentes was arrested and put on trial. He was sentenced to death and hanged on April 21, 1792.

When Brazil became a republic in 1889, Tiradentes began to be regarded as a national hero, and the anniversary of his death was declared a national holiday.