Restoration of Independence Description
This holiday commemorates the Restoration of Portuguese Independence on December 1, 1640, when Portugal reclaimed its sovereignty from Spanish rule after 60 years of the Iberian Union. The main ceremony takes place at Praça dos Restauradores in Lisbon, with military honors and wreath-laying. Banks, government offices, and most businesses close nationwide. The holiday is celebrated with patriotic pride, particularly in Lisbon, where the Restoration Monument stands as a symbol. School programs often highlight Portugal's unique identity within the Iberian Peninsula and the Braganza dynasty's role.
