Restoration of Independence Day

Published on 25th November, 2024

Restoration of Independence Day is a national holiday in Portugal and is always celebrated on December 1st with a great source of national pride. It marks the reinstatement of sovereignty after the period of Spanish rule between 1580 and 1640.

For hundreds of years, Portugal had maintained its independence until in 1581 it fell under Spanish control after the Portuguese king died without an heir. King Filipe II of Spain was one of the contenders for the crown, and he possessed the military strength to ensure his claim was successful over his rivals.

For 60 years, Portugal was under Spanish control. However, when taxes on Portuguese merchant ships were raised, there was an attempt to integrate Portugal as a region of Spain rather than maintain it as a separate possession. This led to a decline in the influence of the Portuguese nobility in both Madrid and Portugal. As tensions escalated, a revolution began to brew. Although there had been some earlier revolts, the uprising that marked the beginning of the Portuguese Restoration War - initially referred to as “the Acclamation War”- started on December 1, 1640.

The war lasted for 28 years, from 1640 to the recognition of Portugal’s independence by Spain in 1668. There were only five major battles throughout the 28 years. It was mostly small skirmishes and raids, especially of towns near the Spanish-Portuguese borders. The English and Dutch also helped Portugal during the conflict, as it suited their interests of weakening their common enemy, Spain.

What began with the Portuguese Revolution of 1640 ended with the Treaty of Lisbon in 1668, bringing a formal end to the Iberian Union.  The Portuguese monarchy was restored and a new ruling dynasty, the House of Bragança, was founded.

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Published in: Guide to Portugal / Miscellaneous / Portuguese Life