On this day, 385 years ago, on December 1, 1640 (October 19, 1640 in the lunar calendar), the Portugal aristocrats launched a revolution and restored independence. On December 1, 1640, Portugal aristocrats launched a revolution and restored independence. In 1580, Portugal was annexed by Spain and became a vassal of Spain. In 1581, the Portugal Parliament agreed that King Philip II of Spain would concurrently serve as King of Portugal, and be called Felipe I. The Spaniards 'arbitrary taxes plunged the Portugal people into extreme poverty. Portugal's fleet and coastal defense were severely damaged. Some of its major colonies in the east gradually fell into the hands of the British and Dutch. From then on, Portugal declined rapidly. In May 1640, an uprising broke out in Barcelona; in order to suppress it, the nobles of Portugal received mobilization orders to go to Catalonia to fight. This mobilization order made even the upper class who had been patient for a long time unable to sit still. Everyone began to gather around Joao, the grandson of Duchess Katarina, then heir to the throne, now Duke of Braganza, to plan a straightforward and thorough action. At about 9 a.m. on December 1, 1640, 40 princes and nobles suddenly rushed into the palace of Ribera, took control of the court guards, and then arrested his cousin Duchess Mantua and her Minister of State Miguel de Vasgoncellos, who were exercising power on behalf of Philip. After executing the latter, these men forced the duchess to order the Spanish garrison at the Chateau de Saint-Jorge and the fortresses on the Tejo River to surrender immediately without resistance. After everything was settled, they walked out of the palace and called on the people to rise and cheer for the restoration of Portugal. Fifteen days later, the Duke of Braganza was officially crowned King of Portugal, known as Joao IV. The Braganza Dynasty was established. Portugal then fought a 28-year war of restoration with Spain. The two sides concluded the Treaty of Lisbon in 1668, in which Spain returned all the territories and overseas dependencies originally owned by Portugal to Portugal, except Ceuta. Commemorative bronze medal issued by Portugal to commemorate the restoration and victory in 1640 Comments: Portugal has once again become an independent nation state