On this very day – November 15th – in 1889, Brazil marked its transition from a monarchy to a republic.

The event was triggered by a coup d’état or golpe de estado conducted by Brazilian army units under the direction of Deodoro da Fonseca. The coup ousted Dom Pedro II and ended the rule of monarchs in the South American country.

Though at this point in time the general population of Brazil was disillusioned by the emperor’s rule and the monarchic government, the idea of Republicanism had not gained a broad popular foothold. The movement was not populist in nature, therefore, but was led vigorously by a small group who convinced Deodoro da Fonseca to lead the coup. Though planned for November 20th, the military effort was expedited when news of Fonseca (and others’) imminent arrest came to light. Though these rumors later turned out to be false, the operation was exectued on the 15th anyway.

Dom Pedro II had been holed up at his (impressive) vacation spot in Petropolis during the event, and upon returning to Rio thought that he might still have a chance of leading a reorganized government. It may not have been up until the moment when Frederico Sólon Sampaio Ribeiro handed the emperor his walking papers – the proclamation of the new regime and an order for his exile – that Pedro got the message.

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