Portugal

The Battle of Ourique took place on July 26, 1139, and was a deciding battle in the early Portuguese history during the Reconquista. The army of the Portuguese Count Afonso Henriques confronted a much larger Muslim army. Despite being outnumbered, Afonso Henriques achieved a decisive victory, which was seen as a divine intervention. This victory was pivotal in securing Portuguese independence, and shortly after, Afonso Henriques was acclaimed as the first King of Portugal, founding the Kingdom of Portugal.

The Battle of Aljubarrota, fought on August 14, 1385, was a major battle that secured the independence of Portugal from Castile. King John I of Portugal led the Portuguese forces, aided by English allies, against the forces of King John I of Castile. The Portuguese forces inflicted a crushing defeat on the Castilian army, solidifying the rule of the Aviz dynasty and ensuring Portugal's sovereignty. This battle is seen as one of the most important in Portuguese history.

The Portuguese Restoration War began on December 1, 1640, when Portuguese nobles and citizens led a revolt against Spanish rule, ending the Iberian Union. The revolt initiated the Portuguese Restoration of Independence, which resulted in the end of the Philippine Dynasty and the establishment of the House of Braganza as the ruling house of Portugal. The subsequent decades saw a struggle to secure independence from Spain, culminating in the recognition of Portuguese sovereignty at the Treaty of Lisbon in 1668.

On November 1, 1755, Lisbon was struck by a massive earthquake, followed by a tsunami and fires. The disaster was one of the deadliest earthquakes in history, killing tens of thousands and causing widespread destruction. The event significantly altered the political landscape, influenced Enlightenment thinkers, and led to the birth of modern seismology. The rebuilding of Lisbon under the direction of the Marquis of Pombal laid the foundations for modern urban planning in Portugal.

The Portuguese Republican Revolution occurred on October 5, 1910, and led to the overthrow of the Portuguese monarchy. The revolution ended 771 years of monarchy in Portugal, resulting in the establishment of a democratic republic. The revolution was prompted by social and economic distress under the leadership of King Manuel II. The new republic set out to implement various political and social reforms and provided a new framework for Portugal's governance.

The Carnation Revolution was a military coup that took place on April 25, 1974, in Lisbon, Portugal. This peaceful revolution overthrew the Estado Novo regime and marked the beginning of a transition to democracy. The revolution was led by the Armed Forces Movement, a group of young military officers, and it is named after the carnations that citizens placed into the muzzles of rifles and on soldiers' uniforms. It was a significant turning point that ended the longest-lasting authoritarian regime in Western Europe.

On January 1, 1986, Portugal became a member of the European Economic Community (EEC), the precursor to the European Union. Joining the EEC marked a significant step for Portugal in terms of economic development and integration into the European political framework. The membership helped Portugal to modernize its economy, improve infrastructure, and gain access to broader markets, contributing to the country's development and growth in the subsequent decades.

Expo 98, a World's Fair, was held in Lisbon, Portugal, from May 22 to September 30, 1998. The event focused on the theme 'The Oceans, a Heritage for the Future', coinciding with the 500th anniversary of Vasco da Gama's discovery of the sea route to India. Expo 98 brought significant development to Lisbon, transforming the eastern part of the city into a modern cultural and commercial district. It drew millions of visitors and left a lasting architectural and economic impact on the city.

Portugal hosted the UEFA Euro 2004 football tournament from June 12 to July 4, 2004. This major sporting event featured 16 European national teams. It marked one of the most significant sporting events hosted in Portugal, boosting tourism and infrastructure. The tournament was notable for Greece's unexpected victory over Portugal in the final, held at the Estádio da Luz in Lisbon. The successful hosting showcased Portugal's ability to manage large international events.

The Lisbon Treaty, signed in 2007, came into force on December 1, 2009, after ratification by all EU member states. It marked a significant development in the European Union's constitutional framework, enhancing its governance and integration processes. Named after the city of Lisbon, the treaty addressed various institutional challenges, strengthen the role of the European Parliament, and aimed to make the EU more democratic and efficient. It was a milestone in the evolution of the EU, with Portugal playing a crucial role in its inception and title.