Hero of Inconfidência Mineira, was Tiradentes really a dentist?

April 21 is a national holiday in honor of Joaquim José da Silva Xavier, who was hanged and quartered in 1792 due to his involvement with the Inconfidência Mineira movement, which claimed independence from Brazil.

But when the date is approaching, one question is once again questioned: why was Joaquim José da Silva Xavier called Tiradentes? Despite the jokes, the reality is that in addition to the original profession of drover, he was thus recognized for his ability to deal with dental problems, even having a small case with tooth extraction pliers, as historian Voltaire Schilling explains.

Ana Claudia Florindo, a 3rd year teacher at the Santa Maria College in São Paulo, says: "Throughout her life, she worked in different professions, was a practical doctor and peddlers, however, stood out in the region where he lived for his ability to take and put teeth made by himself, including the nickname. "

Tiradentes joined the Minas Gerais Dragons regiment as ensign in 1775, but gave up his military career in 1787 and went to Rio de Janeiro. In the new city, he met leaders of an independence movement. When he returned to Minas he already had plans to transform São João Del Rei into the country's capital, free Brazil-born slaves, change the government to a republic, among other dreams.

The teacher explains that at that time Portugal levied strict taxes in an attempt to prevent the smuggling of gold from the mines of Minas Gerais. At a time when extraction declined, as ore was scarce, the Portuguese government increased taxes even further.

Tiradentes and the leaders of the movement decided to revolt after the measure. The blow would be dealt with on the day of tax collection, but the Portuguese monarchy discovered the plan a day earlier. Most prisoners received relatively mild sentences, such as imprisonment or exile. However, Tiradentes, who did not have the same political influence as the others, was hanged, quartered and had his body displayed in a public square.

Parts of his remains were scattered throughout the cities where he had spoken. His head was raised on a pole in Vila Rica.

Tiradentes became a hero after Independence in 1822. However, as professor and historian Voltaire Schilling explains at the time of the Empire (1822-1889), only small republican groups celebrated April 21st. It was a closed cult that attracted those against the monarchy and the Freemasons in general. And it was not until after the Proclamation of the Republic, on November 15, 1889, that April 21 became truly relevant and was turned into a national holiday.

Source: Terra Educação. Available at: : https://www.terra.com.br/noticias/educacao/voce-sabia/heroi-da-inconfidencia-mineira-tiradentes-era-mesmo-dentista,1018aaccde6da310VgnCLD200000bbcceb0aRCRD.html. Access on: 04/01/2019.