Ana Martins, Author at

Independent Historian

Ana Nina Martins, a native of Rio de Janeiro Brazil, currently lives with her family in Seattle. After completing graduate studies in the United States (at the University of Minnesota and Harvard), Ana taught international law and international environmental law at the Pontifical University of Rio de Janeiro. She is now working towards a teaching degree in History at the University of Washington.

Benedita da Silva (1942- )

Benedita Souza da Silva Sampaio, prominent Brazilian politician and first Afro-Brazilian member of the senate in the country, was born on April 26, 1942, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to José Tobias de Souza and Maria da Conceição de Souza. Mother of two children, she … Read MoreBenedita da Silva (1942- )

O Clarim da Alvorada (1924-1932)

O Clarim da Alvorada (or Clarim d’Alvorada, the clarion of dawn) was a pioneer Afro-Brazilian newspaper established in 1924 and was key in strengthening the incipient black culture movement in the country. Part of a larger black press movement in the city of São Paulo, … Read MoreO Clarim da Alvorada (1924-1932)

Frente Negra Brasileira (1931-1938)

Frente Negra Brasileira (Brazilian Black Front) originated in the city of São Paulo, Brazil on September 16, 1931, and was the first Afro-Brazilian organization demanding full participating rights in Brazilian society. Headquartered in São Paulo, it spread around the country. Its complex structure included a … Read MoreFrente Negra Brasileira (1931-1938)

Milton Nascimento (1942- )

Milton Nascimento, famous Brazilian singer and composer, was born in October 26, 1942 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. After the death of his biological mother, Maria do Carmo Nascimento, Milton Nascimento moved with his adoptive family, Lilia Silva Campos and Josino Brito Campos, to the … Read MoreMilton Nascimento (1942- )

Aleijadinho (Antonio Francisco Lisboa), 1738-1814)

Antônio Francisco Lisboa, the Aleijadinho (the “little cripple”), prominent Brazilian artist, was born in 1738 to a Portuguese architect father, Manoel Francisco Lisboa, and his Brazilian slave, Isabel. He died in 1814, in his native state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, poor and unknown. A foremost … Read MoreAleijadinho (Antonio Francisco Lisboa), 1738-1814)

Cartola (1908-1980)

Agenor de Oliveira, known as “Cartola,” renowned Brazilian musician, was born on October 11, 1908 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and died on November 30, 1980 at the age of 72. From humble origins, Cartola worked at various odd jobs, including the construction industry, where … Read MoreCartola (1908-1980)

Garrincha (Manoel Francisco dos Santos) (1933-1983)

Manoel Francisco dos Santos, renowned Brazilian soccer player, was born in the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on October 28, 1933 and died on January 20, 1983. A congenial deformity of his leg bones (inward leaning right leg and outward leaning left) earned him … Read MoreGarrincha (Manoel Francisco dos Santos) (1933-1983)

Abdias do Nascimento (1914- )

Abdias do Nascimento, famous Brazilian writer, scholar, and politician, was born on March 14, 1914, in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. From a humble family, his mother, Josina, was a candy maker and his father, Bem-Bem, was a musician and shoemaker, Abdias do Nascimento … Read MoreAbdias do Nascimento (1914- )

Palmares (ca. 1605-1694)

Palmares, or Quilombo dos Palmares, was a settlement of fugitive slaves established gradually from the early 1600s to 1694, about 60k inland from the northeast coast of Brazil around the regions of Pernambuco and Alagoas. Estimates indicated that 10,000 to 20,000 fugitive slaves, native Brazilians, … Read MorePalmares (ca. 1605-1694)

Joaquim Maria Machado de Assis (1839-1908)

Joaquim Maria Machado de Assis, prominent Brazilian writer and first President of the Brazilian Academy of Literature, was born in 1839 in the city of Rio de Janeiro to Francisco de Assis, a mulato father, and Maria Leopoldina Machado de Assis, a white Portuguese mother. … Read MoreJoaquim Maria Machado de Assis (1839-1908)