Founding of Rio de Janeiro

Timeline

1. 1565Mouth of Guanabara Bay · Rio de JaneiroEstácio de Sá, acting on the orders of his uncle, Governor-General Mem de Sá, landed with about 180 men on 28 February between Sugarloaf Mountain and Cara de Cão. On 1 March he formally proclaimed the founding of São Sebastião do Rio de Janeiro, erecting a wooden palisade that same day to watch the Atlantic entrance and cut off French and Tamoio traffic in the bay.
2. 1565–1566Guanabara Bay · Rio de JaneiroThe new city was in effect an advanced fortress; the Portuguese were few in number and endured long sieges by the French and Tamoio alliance. Estácio allied with the Temiminó chief Arariboia, resupplied from positions on both shores of the bay, gradually compressed the French remnants' area of operations, turning the founding into a two-year struggle for control of the bay.
3. 1567Uruçumirim · Rio de JaneiroOn 20 January 1567 Portuguese and Temiminó allied forces defeated the French and Tamoio alliance at Uruçumirim; chief Aimberê was killed and the French Antarctica's military presence in the bay ended. Estácio was struck by an arrow and died of his wounds on 20 February. Mem de Sá then moved the settlement to the more habitable Castle Hill, establishing municipal government and a Jesuit house, completing the transformation from outpost to permanent city.