March 1st is the anniversary of Rio de Janeiro
March 1st is the anniversary of Rio de Janeiro , in honor of the city's founding date, which occurred on March 1st, 1565. The city was founded by Estácio de Sá, a Portuguese grantee, who chose the location in Guanabara Bay, where he established a fort to protect the new colony from attacks by indigenous people and other European nations. Originally, the city was called "São Sebastião do Rio de Janeiro", in honor of Saint Sebastian, the city's patron saint, and because of the river that the Portuguese explorers encountered when they arrived, which was actually Guanabara Bay. The celebration includes several festivities, cultural events, concerts and activities that seek to highlight the city's historical and cultural richness. Celebrations usually include parades, samba performances, and events that highlight local music, dance and cuisine.
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