City history
A masterpiece of 20th-century urban planning, Brasilia transitioned from a central plateau project to the beating heart of Brazil's national time.
Chapter one
Earliest documented name
"Federal District"
Before the city was built, the site was designated as the territory for the new Federal District to facilitate the relocation of the capital.
Brazil
The name was selected to symbolize the unified identity of the Brazilian nation within its new administrative center.
Chapter two
The city's inauguration established it as the primary administrative and timekeeping reference for the Brazilian government.
The Brazilian government officially suspended the use of daylight saving time, impacting the city's timekeeping rhythm.
Chapter three
Construction began on the planned capital city under the administration of President Juscelino Kubitschek.
The city was officially inaugurated on April 21, marking the formal move of the capital from Rio de Janeiro.
Brasilia was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site due to its exceptional modernist urban design and architecture.