Portugal Restoration of Independence Day (December 1): History

Restoration of Independence Day (Dia da Restauração da Independência) is a public holiday in Portugal on December 1. It celebrates the revolt of 1640 that ended 60 years of rule by Spain’s Habsburg kings and placed King John IV, Duke of Braganza, on the Portuguese throne.

Key facts
Date	December 1 every year
Year	1640
Ended	The Iberian Union (1580–1640)
New king	John IV, founder of the Braganza dynasty
War that followed	Portuguese Restoration War (1640–1668)
Holiday status	Public holiday (suspended 2013–2015, restored in 2016)
Landmark	Monument to the Restorers, Praça dos Restauradores, Lisbon

How Portugal Lost and Regained Its Independence

In 1578, young King Sebastian disappeared in battle in Morocco without an heir. His great-uncle Cardinal Henry ruled briefly, and in 1580 Philip II of Spain claimed the Portuguese crown. For 60 years Portugal and Spain shared a king in a union called the Iberian Union. Over time, heavy taxes, wars and the feeling that Portugal’s interests were ignored led to growing resentment.

On the morning of December 1, 1640, a group of about 40 nobles — remembered as the Conjurados (Conspirators) — stormed the royal palace in Lisbon, overthrew the Spanish administration and proclaimed the Duke of Braganza as King John IV. Portugal then defended its independence in a 28-year war, recognised by Spain in the Treaty of Lisbon (1668).

Year	Event
1580	Philip II of Spain becomes King of Portugal
December 1, 1640	Revolt in Lisbon; John IV acclaimed
1640–1668	Restoration War
1668	Treaty of Lisbon: Spain recognises Portugal’s independence

How the Day Is Celebrated

• Official ceremonies at the Monument to the Restorers in Lisbon, with the President of the Republic.
• Military honours and the national anthem, “A Portuguesa”.
• A family holiday that opens the Christmas season — followed a week later by the Immaculate Conception holiday on December 8.

👉 One week later: Feast of the Immaculate Conception — December 8

👉 Also December 1: Romania National Day

Portugal’s Long Road to Independence

Year	Event
1143	Treaty of Zamora: Portugal recognised as a kingdom under Afonso I
1385	Battle of Aljubarrota secures independence from Castile
1415–1500s	Age of Discoveries: Portuguese explorers reach Africa, India and Brazil
1580	Iberian Union with Spain begins
1640	Restoration of independence
1668	Spain recognises Portugal’s independence

Key Figures of the Restoration

• John IV (João IV), Duke of Braganza, the reluctant noble who became king.
• Luisa de Guzmán, his Spanish-born wife, who encouraged him to accept the crown and later governed as regent.
• The Forty Conspirators, nobles who planned and carried out the revolt.
• Miguel de Vasconcelos, the unpopular secretary of state killed during the uprising.

The Restorers’ Square

In Lisbon’s Praça dos Restauradores stands a 30-metre obelisk erected in 1886, with the names and dates of the battles of the Restoration War carved on its sides. Every December 1, the President of the Republic leads ceremonies here, and the square is a popular starting point for walks along Avenida da Liberdade, which is beautifully lit for Christmas.

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