Portuguese colonization of the Americas by the general elections to its first "Câmara" (City Council) on August 22, 1532, is symbolically considered the birthplace of democracy in the Americas. From 1534 to 1536, 15 Captaincy colonies were created in Portuguese America. The captaincies were autonomous, and mostly private, colonies of the Portuguese Empire, each owned and run by a Captain-major. In 1549, due to their failure and limited success, the Captaincy Colonies of Brazil were united into the Governorate General of Brazil. The captaincy colonies were reorganized as provincial districts to the Governorate. The captaincies continued to be ruled by their hereditary captain-majors but they
1st Summit of the Americas 1st Summit of the Americas The First Summit of the Americas was convened in Miami, Florida, United States, on December 9–11, 1994. This summit was the first of a series of events for leaders from countries of the Americas. From across North and South America thirty-four nations met in Miami and agreed to create Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA). All countries were welcome to participate except for Cuba. Cuba was the only country not invited to participate in Miami. The Summit of the Americas accepted a Declaration of Principles to aid in the process of discussing a continent