Historical Dates / Datas Históricas
Let us enumerate some of the main dates that are of interest to the history of Madeira, pointing out especially those that indicate the most important events that occurred over the long period of five centuries. The first date to be noted here should be that of the discovery of the archipelago
Which some fix in the year 1419, with the discovery of Porto Santo, and others the following year; and, according to the two opinions, the island of Madeira would have been discovered respectively in the year 1419 or 1420, noting however that the most followed opinion is the first, thus giving the islands of Porto Santo and Madeira as discovered in 1418 and 1419.
1418-Discovery of the island of Porto Santo? See Discovery of the Archipelago.
1419-Discovery of the island of Madeira?
1430-Creation of the parishes of Camara de Lobos and Calheta.
1433-King Duarte donates the Madeira archipelago to Prince Henry the Navigator.
1433-King Duarte donates the archipelago to the Order of Christ, in spiritual matters.
1440-Donation of the captaincy of Machico to Tristão Vaz.
1440-Creation of the parishes of Caniço and Ribeira Brava.
1445-The navigator Luiz Cadamosto (See this name) visits Madeira and Porto Santo.
1446-Donation of the captaincy of Porto Santo to Bartolomeu Perestrelo.
1449-Confirmation by King Afonso V of the donation made by King Duarte to Prince Henry the Navigator.
1450-Creation of the parish of Machico.
1451-Donation of the captaincy of Funchal to João Gonçalves Zarco.
1451-Funchal is elevated to the status of a town.
1454-João Gonçalves donates lands in São Paulo, intended for the foundation of the first hospital.
1467-Death in Funchal of the first captain-donee João Gonçalves Zarco.
1477-Creation of the Customs House of Funchal.
1493-Adoption of very important measures concerning water, woods, livestock, agricultural matters, etc..
1497-King Manuel I reverts the Madeira archipelago to the crown.
1497-Foundation of the Santa Clara convent.
1501-Creation of the town of Ponta do Sol.
1501-Death in Funchal of the 2nd captain-donee João Gonçalves da Camara.
1502-Creation of the town of Calheta.
1505-In the convent of São Bernardino, in the parish of Camara de Lobos, Fr. Pedro da Guarda, known as the Holy Servant of God, dies with a reputation for sanctity.
1508-Funchal is elevated to the status of a city.
1508-Bishop D. João Lobo comes to Madeira to perform episcopal functions, the first prelate to stay on this island for approximately two years.
1514-The diocese of Funchal is created.
1515-The place of Santa Cruz is elevated to the status of a town.
1516-Consecration of the Cathedral of Funchal.
1517-The parish of S. Jorge is created.
1523-Vow made by the people and the Chamber of Funchal to St. James, who is chosen as the
(cid:1176) main patron saint
(cid:1177) of Madeira.
1526-Death on the mainland of the first bishop of Funchal, D. Diogo Pinheiro.
1530-Death in Matosinhos, near Porto, of the third captain-donee of Funchal, Simão Gonçalves da Camara.
1533-Case of the prophets Fernão Bravo and Filipa Nunes, on the island of Porto Santo.
1533-The archbishopric of Funchal is created.
1536-Death in Funchal of the 4th captain-donee João Gonçalves da Camara.
1540-Death of the captain-donee of Machico, Diogo Teixeira, with the captaincy reverting to the crown.
1550-Creation of the parish of Faial.
1551-The archbishopric of Funchal is abolished and the archipelago of Arguim is added to the jurisdiction of this diocese.
1552-Creation of the parish of Sant'Ana.
1553-Creation of the parish of Seixal.
1557-Creation of the parishes of Sé and Santa Maria Maior.
1558-Creation of the parish of Gaula.
1560-Creation of the parish of Agua de Pena.
1561-Creation of the parish of Caniçal.
1565-Creation of the parishes of Monte and S. Gonçalo.
1566-Terrible sack of Funchal by French corsairs.
1566-Foundation of the Seminary of Funchal.
1566-Creation of the parish of S. Pedro.
1568-Creation of the parish of Tabua.
1569-Death in Lamego of the distinguished Madeiran and illustrious prelate D. Manuel de Noronha, son of the 3
(cid:1187)
. captain-donee of Funchal, Simão Gonçalves da Camara, the Magnificent.
1570-The Jesuits establish themselves in Madeira.
1571-Creation of the parish of Fajã da Ovelha.
1572-Creation of the parish of Arco da Calheta.
1575-Death of the illustrious Madeiran, Father Luiz Gonçalves da Camara, famous tutor of King D. Sebastião.
Creation of the parishes of Canhas and Porto da Cruz.
The parish of S. Pedro is abolished and later restored in 1587.
Creation of the parishes of S. Roque and S. Martinho.
Death of the 5th and 6th captain-donees of Funchal, Simão Gonçalves da Camara and João Gonçalves da Camara.
Madeira begins to be governed by general governors, the first being the judge João Leitão, as representative of the Philippine government.
The parish of Madalena do Mar is created.
Death in Evora of the distinguished grammarian and notable Madeiran Father Manuel Alvares.
##1588 The distinguished Madeiran D. Sebastião de Morais, who was the first bishop of Japan, died in Mozambique on his way to his bishopric.
Dr. Gaspar Frutuoso wrote the famous work 'Saudades da Terra', passing away the following year on the island of São Miguel.
This island experienced the phenomenon of atmospheric incandescence, known as 'fire from the sky', which burned all vegetation and even set some houses on fire.
The illustrious Madeiran and esteemed jurist Dr. Antonio da Gama Pereira passed away.
The diocesan bishop D. Luiz Figueiredo de Lemos died in Funchal and is buried in the Cathedral.
The governor and captain-general of Madeira D. Francisco Henriques died and was buried in the church of the College.
The governor and captain-general of this archipelago, Fernão de Saldanha, passed away.
The restoration of Portugal was proclaimed in Madeira, with the acclamation of D. João IV.
The Convent of the Incarnation was founded by Canon Henrique Calaça de Viveiros.
Madeira began to have representation in the ancient general courts.
The Retreat of Bom Jesus was founded by Archdeacon Simão Gonçalves Cidrão.
The archipelago of Madeira was donated by D. João IV to his daughter, Infanta D. Catarina.
Manuel Tomaz, the author of the poem 'A Insulana', died.
A major popular uprising in Funchal deposed the governor and captain-general Francisco de Mascarenhas and committed other acts of violence.
The diocesan bishop D. Gabriel de Almeida died in Funchal and was buried in the Cathedral.
The parishes of Arco de São Jorge, Camacha, Santa Luzia, Serra de Água, and Paul do Mar were created.
The illustrious Madeiran João Fernandes Vieira, the restorer of Pernambuco, died and is buried in the city of Olinda, Brazil.
The diocesan prelate D. Antonio Teles da Silva died in this city and was buried in the Cathedral.
Two corsair ships raided the island of Porto Santo and set fire to the church and other buildings.
The distinguished Madeiran, Canon Antonio Veloso de Lira, passed away.
A great fire destroyed the fortress of São Lourenço, including the residences of the governors and captain-generals of the archipelago.
The governor and captain-general of the archipelago, João da Costa de Ataíde e Azevedo, died in Funchal.
The island of Porto Santo was raided by French pirates.
A major flood caused considerable damage.
The distinguished Madeiran poet Troilo de Vasconcelos da Cunha died.
The Madeiran writer and esteemed genealogist, Henrique Henriques de Noronha, passed away.
The curacies of Boaventura, Ribeira da Janela, and Prazeres were established.
The curacy of Jardim do Mar was established.
##1743 The town of São Vicente is established.
1748 - A violent earthquake causes considerable damage and some fatalities. 1753 - The diocesan bishop of Funchal, D. João do Nascimento, passes away. 1755 - Dr. Julião Fernandes da Silva writes the curious and interesting book titled 'Critical Letter on the Healing Method of the Physicians of Funchal'. 1756 - The construction of a sheltered port in Funchal is decreed. 1760 - The Jesuits are expelled from Madeira. 1765 - A major flood occurs, causing enormous damage. 1767 - Judicial reform definitively establishes a corregidor and an outside judge in Madeira. 1770 - The famous royal decree known as the 'Quintos e Oitavos' law is adopted, concerning important measures for the island of Porto Santo. 1772 - Various primary education schools are created in Madeira, along with three Latin classes, one philosophy class, and one rhetoric class. 1775 - The Finance Board of this archipelago is established. 1777 - The illustrious governor of Madeira, João Antonio de Sá Pereira, leaves the island, called by the government of the metropolis to justify himself against the accusations made against him. 1784 - The diocesan bishop of the city, D. Gaspar Afonso da Costa Brandão, passes away. 1786 - Heavy rains and a violent storm cause much damage. 1787 - The Jesuit college and church are ceded to the diocesan bishop for the installation of the Seminary. 1790 - The parish of Curral das Freiras is established. 1792 - Serious events occur due to the governor and diocesan bishop's persecution of the members of the Masonic lodges. 1798 - The postal service is definitively established in Madeira. 1798 - The illustrious governor and captain-general of this archipelago, D. Diogo Pereira Forjaz Coutinho, passes away in Funchal. 1801 - Madeira is occupied by British troops. 1803 - A major flood causes extensive damage and claims several hundred lives. 1806 - The Madeiran poet Francisco Alvares de Nobrega, known by the epithet 'Little Camões', dies in Lisbon. 1807 - Brigadier Reinaldo Oudinot, who directed the channeling of the Funchal streams and the construction of their walls after the great flood of 1803, passes away in Funchal. 1807 - British troops occupy Madeira for the second time. 1810 - The diocesan bishop of Funchal, D. Luiz Rodrigues de Vilares, passes away. 1810 - The Board of Agricultural Improvements of Madeira and Porto Santo is established. 1814 - The governor and captain-general of Madeira, Luiz Baltrão de Gouveia e Almeida, passes away in Funchal. 1815 - Napoleon passes through Madeira. 1815 - A major flood causes extensive damage. 1821 - The Constitution is proclaimed in Madeira. 1821 - 'O Patriota Funchalense', the first newspaper published in Madeira, is released. 1822 - The foundation stone of a monument to perpetuate the memory of the proclamation of the Constitution in Madeira is laid with great ceremony. 1823 - A commission of six judges comes to the island to try and punish those who had shown disaffection to the absolute government. 1828 - Two judges arrive to conduct a rigorous investigation into political events, with more than two hundred individuals indicted, most of whom were sentenced to various penalties, mainly exile to the overseas provinces. 1828 - The Miguelist squadron bombards the town of Machico and lands troops there, who then march on the city, which they occupy, and subsequently proclaim the absolute government. 1829 - The distinguished Madeiran Dr. João Francisco de Oliveira passes away in Lisbon. 1832 - Constitutional troops from the Azores, commanded by Luiz Mousinho, occupy the island of Porto Santo.
1865-Died in Coimbra the distinguished University professor and illustrious Madeiran, Dr. Justino Antonio de Freitas.
1866-Died in Funchal the distinguished Madeiran and esteemed professor, Marceliano Ribeiro de Mendonça.
1868-Serious events occurred on the beach of this city, with deaths and injuries, where the people prevented the landing of the distinguished Madeiran Jacinto de Sant'Ana e Vasconcelos, who was coming to the island to manage his candidacy for deputy.
1869-The illustrious novelist Júlio Dinis arrived on this island for the first time, who wrote his exquisite book “Os Fidalgos da Casa Mourisca” (The Nobles of the Mourisca House).
1870-Died the skilled doctor and distinguished Madeiran Dr. Antonio da Luz Pita.
1870-Serious events in Machico occurred during the elections, with some civilians falling dead by the bullets of the armed forces, which were forced to use violence.
1872-A major smallpox epidemic, which decimated about a thousand individuals.
1873-The Madeiran Sugar Factory Company was organized, which built the large factory of São João.
1873-The part of the famous work by Dr. Gaspar Frutuoso, which deals with Madeira, titled “Saudades da Terra” (Longing for the Land), was published by the distinguished professor and lawyer Dr. Alvaro Rodrigues de Azevedo, who enriched it with extensive and erudite annotations.
1874-Madeira was connected to the mainland by a submarine cable.
1874-In Angra do Heroísmo, the distinguished Madeiran Dr. Nicolau Anastácio de Betencourt passed away.
1875-The districts of Santa Cruz, Ponta do Sol, and São Vicente were created.
1875-The Commercial Bank of Madeira was founded in this city.
1876-Great storms, which cast some ships ashore at Funchal beach.
1876-The Diario de Noticias was published, the first daily newspaper to be published among us.
1876-Died in Funchal the distinguished poet and illustrious Madeiran José Antonio Monteiro Teixeira.
1877-Creation of the preparatory course at the Funchal Seminary and a few years later the installation of a regional museum of natural history products.
1878-A large emigration to the Sandwich Islands began.
1879-The circulation of foreign currency in Madeira, which previously had free course, was prohibited.
1880-Died in Lisbon the illustrious Madeiran D. Aires de Ornelas de Vasconcelos, Archbishop of Goa.
1884-Serious events in the parish of Ribeira Brava during the election of deputies, with several civilians dying.
1887 Serious disturbances of order in many parishes of Madeira, aimed at preventing the installation of Parish Councils, a popular movement that had very dire consequences and became known among the people by the name of 'Parreca'.
1888 Inauguration of the Funchal Volunteer Firefighters Corps.
1888 The 'Manuel de Arriaga' theater is inaugurated, which was originally named 'D. Maria Pia'.
1889 The Municipal Medical Post is established.
1889 The Funchal Industrial School is created.
1889 The Protective Association of the Poor, known by the name of 'Sopa Economica' (Economic Soup), is founded due to the initiative of Governor D. João de Alarcão.
1890 The murder of the young Francisco José de Ornelas occurs in Funchal, which greatly shocked the Madeiran population.
1892 Rabies outbreak occurs, with several people being attacked and some succumbing to the terrible disease.
1892 Construction of the City Entrance pier, whose works had begun in 1889.
1893 Inauguration of the first section of the Monte Railway.
1897 Inauguration of electric lighting in Funchal.
1897 Completion of the reconstruction and expansion works of the Pontinha pier, whose initial works had begun in 1886.
1899 Death in Lisbon of our distinguished compatriot Dr. Luiz da Camara Pestana.
1900 Creation of the School for primary teaching qualification.
1901 Administrative autonomy is granted to this district, whose powers and attributions reside in a popularly elected corporation, known as the General Board.
1901 The kings of Portugal, D. Carlos and D. Maria Amelia, visit the island.
1902 Death in Funchal of the illustrious Madeiran Count of Canavial.
1902 Creation of Maternal Assistance.
1905 The foundation stone of the Marmeleiros Sanatorium building is laid with great solemnity, following a concession previously made by the Portuguese government to Prince Frederico Hohenloe.
1906 Founding of the Madeiran Mutual Aid Society.
1906 The Camara Pestana Asylum begins operation.
1906 A group of locals attacks the Lazaretto building, where many individuals suffering from the plague epidemic raging in Madeira were being treated, destroying the facilities and releasing the patients, who had been admitted there, coerced by the compelling force of the circumstances.
1907 Death in Lisbon of the illustrious Madeiran José Vicente Barbosa du Bocage, a wise zoologist and distinguished statesman.
1908 The beautiful church of the parish of Ponta Delgada is destroyed by a fire.
1908 The Municipal Chamber of Funchal is authorized to contract a loan exclusively for the sewage system and the supply of potable water.
1910 At the end of this year, cholera manifests in this city, which spread throughout almost the entire island and caused about 550 victims, leading the central government to send Dr. Alfredo de Magalhãis as the high commissioner of the Republic, and Dr. Carlos França as the head of all clinical and hygiene services to Madeira.
1911 Death in Funchal of the illustrious diocesan prelate D. Manuel Agostinho Barreto.
1911 The telephone network is established in Funchal.
1911 The Madeira Agricultural Board is created, which was extinguished in 1919.
1913 The Autonomous Board for the Works of the Port of Funchal is created.
1914 The municipality of Ribeira Brava is created.
1916 Inauguration of the road from Funchal to the Encumeada of S. Vicente.
1916 Bombardment of the city of Funchal by a German submarine, which was repeated the following year.
1917 Death in Lisbon of the illustrious Madeiran Jaime Constantino de Freitas Moniz.
1921 The first volume of the 'Elucidario Madeirense' is published.
1922 Grand festivities and an imposing historical procession commemorating the Quincentenary of the discovery of the Madeira archipelago are held.
1922 Returning from his trip to Brazil, the President of the Republic Dr. Antonio José de Almeida passes through Funchal.
1925 Drs. Antonio Oliveira Salazar and Mario de Figueiredo visit Funchal and deliver several lectures at the Catholic Association halls.
1929 A great flood in the area of Estreito da Vargem, parish of São Vicente, causes the death of 32 people.
1930 The hospital of the Santa Casa da Misericordia is installed in the sanatorium of Marmeleiros in the parish of Monte.
1930 A massive landslide at the mouth of the Ribeira do Vigario, parish of Camara de Lobos, drags 20 people out to sea, who lost their lives in the backflow of the current.
1931 The District Archive of Funchal is created.
1931 Military uprising, which was suppressed by land and sea forces from the mainland and became known as the Madeira Revolution.
1933 Inauguration of the extension of the City Entrance pier.
1936 Serious public order disturbances in various parishes due to the creation of the Dairy Board and the services attached to it, with two warships and contingents of troops arriving to suppress this rebellious movement.
1938-General Antonio Oscar Carmona, President of the Republic, arrives in Madeira, where he is enthusiastically received.
1939-Opening of the Avenida do Mar.
Dean. The position of Dean of the Funchal Cathedral was created by the very papal bull that established the diocese, with explicit mention of the priest who should perform these functions. Nuno Cão (see this name), whom the Order of Christ sent to Madeira with special powers, was the first parish priest of the Cathedral when this parish was created, and also the first dean, positions that in the early times were cumulatively held by the same individual. Nuno Cão was succeeded by Filipe Rebelo, and upon his death, the position of dean was separated from that of parish priest, leading to the creation of two curacies exclusively dedicated to parish service. The last ecclesiastics to occupy the deanery of the Funchal Cathedral were Antonio Joaquim Gonçalves de Andrade, Aires de Ornelas de Vasconcelos, and João Joaquim Pinto (see these names). Until the establishment of the Republic, to be appointed to this position, it was necessary to have a degree in law or theology. Regarding the deanery of the Funchal Cathedral and the priests who held this high ecclesiastical office, read the series of articles published in "O Jornal" in the months of December 1935 and January 1936.