Commons Speaker wishes Brazil "Happy 200th Birthday"
7 September 2022
The Speaker of the House of Commons wished Brazil a "Happy Birthday" when the country’s ambassador to the UK visited him – exactly 200 years since it became independent.
It was on 7 September 1822 that Brazil declared independence from Portugal – following a war in which the UK played a pivotal role.
British Navy Admiral Lord Cochrane led the Brazilian fleet to its success, for which he was appointed the Marquess of Maranhao by the Brazilian Emperor Pedro I.
As part of the celebrations, His Excellency Fred Arruda dropped in on Sir Lindsay Hoyle in Speaker’s House to express his delight that the two nations still maintain such close links.
Brazil is a world-renowned agricultural powerhouse, and Mr Arruda said his country stands ready to help supply food to the UK, which is seeing cost of living prices rise.
The two men discussed Brazil’s position as the second largest producer of ethanol after the US, and the UK and Brazil’s shared advances in civil aviation technology and investment.