In Brazil, this past Sunday was Dia Nacional da Consciência Negra, or Black Awareness Day, when the country celebrates its African heritage. The holiday is celebrated on November 20th each year to honor one of Brazil’s heroes, Zumbi dos Palmares, who died on November 20, 1695. He led one of the largest quilombos (fugitive settlements) in the country, which was a settlement of escaped slaves that had up to 30,000 inhabitants at its peak. Zumbi dos Palmares died fighting the Portuguese while defending the community, and is seen as a symbol of the struggle against slavery.

Learn more about Zumbi dos Palmares in this short documentary.

Read more here (in Portuguese).