Finding that the Cortes had annulled his acts and declared his ministers guilty of treason, Pedro forthwith proclaimed Brazil an independent state.

The "cry of Ypiranga" was echoed with tremendous enthusiasm throughout the country.

When Pedro appeared in the theater at Rio de Janeiro, a few days later, wearing on his arm a ribbon on which were inscribed the words "Independence or Death," he was given a tumultuous ovation.

On the first day of December the youthful monarch assumed the title of Emperor, and Brazil thereupon took its place among the nations of America..