Portugal Restoration of Independence Day on December 1, celebrates a people’s coup against Spanish rule that launched the Portuguese Restoration War.
Portugal Restoration of Independence Day 2023
The next Portugal Restoration of Independence Day is Friday, December 1, 2023.
Hapsburg Rule
After Portuguese King D. Sebastião was killed during a North African battle in 1637, Spanish King Phillip II declared himself King of Portugal. Spanish Hapsburgs ruled Portugal for three generations from 1580 to 1640.
Portuguese Restoration War
December 1, 1640 was the day Portuguese nobles and merchants staged a coup against Spanish rule that launched the Portuguese Restoration War.
Portuguese independence finally arrived in 1668 with the Treaty of Lisbon.