History
History of Dia de Portugal, de Camões e das Comunidades Portuguesas
The official name, Dia de Camões, de Portugal e das Comunidades Portuguesas ("Day of Camões, Portugal, and the Portuguese Communities"), marks the date of Luís Vaz de Camões' death on June 10, 1580 and is Portugal's National Day. Camões wrote the Lusiadas, Portugal's national epic celebrating Portuguese history and achievements. Although it is only officially celebrated in Portugal, Portuguese emigrants and descendents throughout the world celebrate the holiday whether they live including the United States, Brazil, Europe, India, Canada, and Macau among others.
For more information on Dia de Portugal
Dia de Portugal in California
The event was first celebrated in California on June 10, 1966. It was established and sponsored by the Luso-American Education Foundation with a celebratory banquet and flag raising ceremonies. The Foundatioin continued to take a leadership role in organizing the celebrations with other organizations in various communities within California. Until the early 2000's, each year the celebrations took place in a different community within the State. In order to increase the impact and participation in the celebrations, various communities agreed to hold parallel events during the week surrounding June 10. In this way, each community could hold celbratory activities annually, increasing the visibility and participation in the Dia de Portugal celebrations.
The list of this year's celebrations is descrubed in the Portuguese Week section of the website.
About the Festival
This year marks the 11th anniversary of the annual festival sponsored by the Portuguese Heritage Society of California. It first started as a "Spring Festival" held in April. Due to unpredictable April showers and other competing events in the community, the Board of Directors decided to move the event to a date to celebrate Dia de Portugal. The event would be held each year at History Park on the second Saturday in June. And hence, the present day Annual Dia de Portugal Festival was born.
The Portuguese Heritage Society of California is sponsoring this annual celebration so that everyone can enjoy the food and culture of Portugal, and other Luso-phone countries such as Macau and Brazil. We hope you enjoy the festivities, and will jopin us every year for our annual celebration!
Other Event information
Entrance is Free to History Park & The Portuguese Museum
Parking at History Park is $6
Directions
Park Layout
