Nucleo Bandeirante is one of the “old” satellite cities of Brasília, located about 13 km from the Distrito Federal with 26.000 inhabitants. In times of the construction and after inauguration of Brasília, it was named “Cidade Livre“, being the first settlement of the “candangos“. Nucleo Bandeirante was chosen for the first official residence of president Juscelino Kubitschek. The so-called “catetinho” was constructed in only 10 days, from October 22 till 31, 1956 and inaugurated on November 10. The name “catetinho” is derived from “Palácio do Catete”, the official presidential residence in Rio de Janeiro. Today, the “catetinho” is an open-air museum – “Museu Vivo da Memoria Cadango“ – which also let its space to artists, using the facilities of the houses for workshops, ateliers and expositions. The excursion on September 28, 2013, will give us also the opportunity to assist a vernissage of an exposition of gravings by Luciano Ogura Buralli which will take place at the “catetinho” at 11 a.m. The visit ends with a lunch (buffet and rodizio) at “Tchê Picanha“, a churrasqueria with “culinaria Gaucha” in Nucleo Bandeirante. The lunch is included in the price of the excursion.  
September 7, 1822 Dom Pedro proclaimed Brazil’s independence and was crowned emperor. Brazil became the first monarchy in the Americas. Before and after independence By the second half of the 18th century, the liberal ideas popular in Europe began to enter Brazil’s consciousness. In 1789, the country experienced its first independence movement, centered in the gold rush boom town of Ouro Prêto. The catalyst was a decision of Portugal to increase the tax on gold. But he Inconfidência Mineira, as it was called, ended badly, with the arrest of its leaders. One of these, Joaquim José da Silva Xavier, a dentist better known as Tiradentes, or tooth-puller, was hanged and quartered. Other movements would probably have followed but for developments in Europe. In 1807, Napoleon conquered Portugal, forcing the Portuguese royal family into exile. King João VI fled to Brazil, making the colony the seat of government for the mother country, the only instance of such a turnaround during the colonial period. Brazil’s changed status led to the crown opening up commerce with other nations, in particular England, Portugal’s ally against Napoleon. When King João at last returned to Portugal in 1821, he named his son, Dom Pedro, as regent, making him the head of government for Brazil. The Portuguese parliament, however, refused to recognize Brazil’s new situation and attempted to force a return to the days of colonial dependence. Realizing