Brazil’s iconic flag holds a little surprise. In the center of the bright green and yellow flag is a brilliant blue night sky with the motto “Ordem e Progresso,” or “Order and progress,” written across it. Strewn across this sky are 27 stars, representing each Brazilian state, plus the federal district. If you look closely, you’ll see that the stars form 9 constellations - the exact position of the stars that shone over Rio de Janeiro on November 15, the day Brazil first became a Republic.



Happy Independence day, Brazil!