Brazil introduces National Day of African Traditions

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva sanctioned the law that establishes March 21 as the National Day of Traditions of African Roots and Candomblé Nations.

The date chosen for the celebration of the enormous contribution of African people to the formation of Brazilian culture is also the International Day against Racial Discrimination, a landmark established by the United Nations (UN) as a reference to the episode known as the "Shaperville Massacre," in 1960, in South Africa.

The massacre occurred when about 20,000 South Africans protested against the determination imposed by the then government to limit the places where the black population could circulate.

In response to the peaceful demonstration, the South African military force acted violently to quell the protest. Shots were fired at the protesters, resulting in the death of 69 people.