Order of the Southern Cross facts for kids

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Quick facts for kids National Order of the Southern Cross
Grand Collar of the National Order of the Southern Cross
Awarded by the Government of Brazil and the Brazilian Imperial Family
Type	National Order and dynastic order
Motto	Benemerentium Præmium
Eligibility	Foreign nationals
Awarded for	"As a token of gratitude and recognition for those who have rendered significant service to the Brazilian nation."
Status	Currently awarded
Founder	Pedro I of Brazil
Grand Master	The President of Brazil (the national order)
Chancellor	The Minister of Foreign Affairs
Grades	Grand Collar Grand Cross Grand Officer Commander Officer Knight
Statistics
First induction	December 1, 1822
Ribbon bar of the National Order of the Southern Cross

Grand Cross of the Imperial Order of the Cross.

The National Order of the Southern Cross (Portuguese: Ordem Nacional do Cruzeiro do Sul) is a very important award from Brazil. It is like a special medal or honor given to people. Emperor Pedro I started this order on December 1, 1822.

The order was created to celebrate Brazil becoming independent on September 7, 1822. It also marked the day Emperor Pedro I was crowned. The name "Southern Cross" comes from the constellation of the Southern Cross. This constellation can be seen in the sky over Brazil. It also reminds people of the old name for Brazil, which was Terra de Santa Cruz (Land of the Holy Cross). This name was given when Europeans first arrived in 1500.

History of the Brazilian Order
Who Receives the Award?
- How Awards Are Given
Classes of the Order
Famous People Who Received the Order
See also

History of the Brazilian Order

How the Order Began

The order was first called the Imperial Order of the Cross (in Portuguese: Ordem Imperial do Cruzeiro). Emperor Pedro I created it on the day he was crowned, December 1, 1822. On that same day, the first people were given this honor. This award was meant to celebrate the crowning of Brazil's first emperor.

Before this, Brazil had some awards that were also used in Portugal. But the Order of the Cross was the first award created only for Brazil.

Changes Over Time

Later, Brazil stopped being a monarchy and became a republic. This happened in 1889. In 1891, a new law removed all old titles and awards, including the Imperial Order of the Cross.

But the order was brought back! The government of Getúlio Vargas re-established it on December 5, 1932. It was then renamed the National Order of the Southern Cross.

The Grand Coat of Arms of the Empire of Brazil displayed the badge of the Imperial Order of the Cross suspended from a blue necklet.

During the time before 1930, Brazil did not have many national awards. The National Order of the Southern Cross was the first important award created when the republic started giving honors again. Today, it is considered the most important Brazilian national order.

In the old days, during the Empire, the Order of the Southern Cross was not the very highest award. There were older awards shared with Portugal. But among the awards created only by Brazil, the Imperial Order of the Cross was the most important.

Even today, some members of the Brazilian Imperial Family still use the old Imperial Order. But the government of Brazil does not officially recognize these awards.

The Grand Master

The Emperors of Brazil used to be the main leaders, or Grand Masters, of the Imperial Order. Now, the Presidents of Brazil are the Grand Masters of the National Order. This means the current President, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, is the Grand Master of the Order.

Who Receives the Award?

Pedro I, first Emperor of Brazil, founder and first Grand Master of the Order, wearing the Grand Cross of the Imperial Order of the Cross (then the Order's highest rank) among other orders.

Archduchess Maria Leopoldina of Austria, Empress consort of Brazil, wears the insignia of the Imperial Order of the Cross and other orders.

Emperor Pedro II of Brazil, Grand Master of the Order, wearing the Grand Cross of the Imperial Order of the Cross. The portrait displays both the star of the Order and the sash of a Knight Grand Cross.

The Imperial Order used to be given to both Brazilians and people from other countries. But the new National Order is only given to people from other countries. When the order was brought back in 1932, it was decided that only foreigners could receive it. This was because giving this award is a way for Brazil to show thanks to other countries.

Queen Maria II of Portugal, eldest daughter of Pedro I of Brazil and sister of Pedro II, wearing the Grand Cross of the Imperial Order of the Cross and other orders.

Brazilians were not included in this award on purpose. In the past, the Brazilian government thought that national awards did not fit with the idea of a republic. But they also needed a way to honor important people from other countries. For example, in 1922, many foreign leaders visited Brazil. Some of them gave awards to Brazilians. Brazil needed a way to give awards back.

So, the National Order of the Southern Cross was created to fill this need. Today, Brazilians can accept awards from other countries. Also, Brazil has created other awards that Brazilians can receive. But the National Order of the Southern Cross is still only for foreigners.

This means that the President of Brazil, who is the Grand Master of the Order, is not actually a member of the Order! Their connection to the Order ends when they leave office.

How Awards Are Given

The President of Brazil decides who receives the awards and promotions in the National Order of the Southern Cross. This decision is made through a special order, which is then published. The awards are also written down in a special book.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs for Brazil is like the main helper, or Chancellor, of the Order. An officer from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also acts as the Secretary. There is also a Council that suggests who should receive awards.

Classes of the Order

Empress Teresa Cristina of Brazil wearing the Sash of a Dame Grand Cross of the Imperial Order of the Cross, with the badge of the Order suspended from the sash.

The Marquis of Olinda, regent and Prime Minister of the Empire of Brazil wearing the Grand Cross and sash of the Order

The Order has a Grand Master (the President) and six different levels, or Classes, of members:

Grand Collar: This is the highest level. The person wears a special chain with the order's badge. They can also wear a star on their chest and a light blue sash. This award is only given to leaders of other countries.
Grand Cross: The person wears a light blue sash over their shoulder. The order's badge hangs from the sash. They also wear a star on their chest.
Grand Officer: The person wears the order's badge around their neck on a blue ribbon. They also wear a star on their chest.
Commander: The person wears the order's badge around their neck on a blue ribbon.
Officer: The person wears the order's badge on their left chest, hanging from a ribbon with a small flower-like decoration (rosette).
Knight: The person wears the order's badge on their left chest, hanging from a simple ribbon.