Dia do Fico

[2] Throughout 1821, when the discussions in the Cortes were moving in the direction of returning Brazil to the status of a colony, the radical liberals joined the Brazilian Party in order to avoid setbacks.

[3] The Cortes issued orders to Prince Regent Pedro de Alcântara, one of which demanded his immediate return to Portugal and the appointment of a governing junta for Brazil.

[2] In response, the radical liberals organized a movement to gather signatures in favour of the prince's stay, which amounted to 8,000 - resulting in a significant pressure on Pedro.

[3]As a result of this episode, Pedro I came into direct conflict with Portuguese interests in order to break the link that existed between Portugal and Brazil within the framework of the United Kingdom.

[3] On the famous Dia do Fico, the Prince Regent, aged just 22, publicly defied the courts, which were pressuring him to return to Lisbon, and, by staying in Brazil, set off the whirlwind of events that would lead to the Grito do Ipiranga, eight months later.