We’ve already mentioned that 2025 is a year with fewer days off than we’d like. Perhaps that’s why one of the questions most asked by São Paulo residents lately has been whether or not July 9, the Day of the Constitutionalist Revolution of 1932, is a holiday. After all, an extra day off next month would be very welcome for all of us!
However, beyond the day off, it’s important to remember the reason behind the date, which is one of the most important in our state’s history. Find out why below:
What was the Constitutionalist Revolution?
On July 9, 1932, the state of São Paulo began an uprising against the then Provisional Government of Getúlio Vargas. One of the demands was the creation of a new constitution for Brazil.
The uprising was sparked by the people’s discontent with the direction the country was taking after the 1930 Revolution, as Vargas was unbridled in his power. Such as annulling the 1891 Constitution, closing down the National Congress and revoking the titles of governors, putting people he trusted in their place.
With free will heading towards extinction in Brazil, the anti-government movement gained strength mainly in São Paulo, where demonstrations began to take place with some frequency. It was at one of these marches, on May 23, 1932, that four students died at the hands of authorities loyal to Vargas. The victims were Mário Martins Almeida, Euclides Miragaia, Dráusio Marcondes de Sousa and Antônio Camargo de Andrade.
The revolt over what happened sparked the creation of the MMDC movement (named after the initials of the names and surnames of the dead boys). This was when the Constitutionalist Revolution officially began.
The intense war between São Paulo and the government ended four months later, with the Paulistas surrendering in defeat. Officially, 934 people lost their lives in the uprising, while the leaders of the movement were deported to Portugal.
In total, there were three months of conflict – until October 4th. Despite the movement’s defeat, some of its main demands were subsequently obtained. Such as the convening of a Constituent Assembly and the promulgation of a new Constitution in 1934.
But is July 9th a holiday in São Paulo?
Good news for our readers: yes! July 9 is currently a state holiday in São Paulo. This is because it was a milestone in the history of the state of São Paulo, and such a date could not go unnoticed in our calendar.
In other words, we can say that São Paulo considers the Constitutionalist Revolution much more than “the July 9 holiday”: it is the greatest civic movement in the history of São Paulo, a reminder that united people must always prevail.