On March 11, 1831, houses in the Empire's capital were decorated with lanterns to welcome D. Pedro I back to Rio de Janeiro, after two months traveling through the province of Minas Gerais. The initiative came from residents aligned with the Portuguese Party, who demanded absolute powers for the monarch. But the celebration was seen as a provocation by the Brazilian Party, which brought together moderate and radical liberals, united by a shared interest in establishing the Parliament.
At the time, it was rumored in hushed voices that D. Pedro intended to abolish the Brazilian Constitution and proclaim himself absolute sovereign of a kingdom formed by the reunification of Portugal and Brazil.
Dom Pedro I. “Constitutional Emperor and Perpetual Defender of Brazil”, in 1827. Engraving by Edward Smith, based on the painting by Simplicio Roiz de Sá. National Library.
Image description: This is a black-and-white print. In the image, we see a portrait of a man wearing an elaborate military uniform, with many ornaments and medals. He is seated in a chair, with one fist resting on an open book. In the background, there is a window with curtains and a view of a landscape. Below the image, there is text in Portuguese mentioning "Dom Pedro Primeiro, Imperador Constitucional e Defensor Perpetuo do Brasil" and the date "1801."The conflict that became known as the Night of the Bottle-Throwing was marked by widespread rioting. Sticks, stones, bottles, knives, insults, and assaults came from both sides. Cheers for the Constitution and freedom of the press were met with acclamations for the absolute emperor. Politics overflowed from the Chamber and the Senate, from the soirées and the palace circles, spilling out and taking over the streets of Rio de Janeiro. Order was restored by police officers, with the help of justices of the peace, on March 17th.
The liberal newspaper Aurora fluminense, on March 16, 1831, reports on its front page the disturbances that became known as the "Night of the Bottles." National Library Newspaper Archive
Image description: The image is an old black-and-white newspaper. It is dated March 14, from Rio de Janeiro. The title "INTERIOR" is at the top, followed by the date. The text describes disturbing events that took place in Rio de Janeiro, involving people armed with sticks who harassed Brazilians in the streets at night.
