November 25, 1975, was a turning point in Portugal’s transition to democracy, and even 50 years later, it remains a highly contested date. Seeing the rise of a multipolar world order, it calls on us to reflect and remember: everything is at stake, always.
As the first European butterfly to disappear, the Madeiran Large White, once common across Madeira and even Funchal, has been declared officially extinct by the IUCN.
In 1931, the Madeira Uprising challenged the Portuguese Ditadura Nacional, demanding the restoration of constitutional government. The rebellion, supported by the local population, was fueled by severe flour shortages imposed by the dictatorship.
During the Great War, German submarines repeatedly attacked Funchal, carrying out a severe assault on Portuguese territory.
In 1995, doctors at a Madeira clinic performed the island’s first gender-affirming surgery, in which the patient transitioned from male to female - at the time, a highly complex procedure.
In September 1985, Portugal introduced its first ATM, starting a new era in banking. Twenty years later, the country was seen as one of the most advanced in Europe, with machines offering many services beyond simply taking out cash.
Before his famous journey to the Americas in 1492, Columbus lived and got married on Porto Santo. On the Madeira archipelago, he gained important skills, met key people, and began planning to sail west across the Atlantic.
Madeira Airport celebrates 61 years today. In 2024, it served 5.1 million passengers, growing from a small local airport into a busy international hub connecting Madeira with the world.
Madeira Day on July 1 honors Madeira's autonomy and rich cultural heritage. It brings together locals and Madeirans abroad to celebrate their history, traditions, and strong regional identity.
The carapuça: Madeira's traditional woollen hat, commonly worn in the 18th and 19th centuries. Once part of daily rural life, it is now a valued symbol in folklore, festivals, and cultural events.
The Caminho de Ferro do Monte revolutionized travel in Madeira, but a tragic 1919 incident marked its downfall, shaking public confidence and triggering a gradual decline that ended in its closure by 1943.
