History

The Imperial Order of the Southern Cross (Ordem Imperial do Cruzeiro) was founded by Emperor Pedro I in commemoration of the recent independence of Brazil from the Portuguese crown, and on the occasion of his coronation as the new Emperor of Brazil. The first Order's Knights were accepted the same day.

It was the first Brazilian Order without relation to the Portuguese crown. It was awarded to military personnel of the Brazilian Imperial Army and Navy who significantly served the nation. It was considered the most honorable Order of merit in the country. In order of precedence, it was third after the two ancients military orders.

The grades were Grand Cross, limited to 12 members; Dignitary, limited to 45 members; Officer, limited to 320 members; and Knight.

This Order was abolished by decree on March 22, 1891.

The Order was re-established as the National Order of the Southern Cross (Ordem Nacional do Cruzeiro do Sul) on December 5, 1932 by President Getulio Vargas. It was the first republican Order founded in the country.

The Order is currently awarded to foreign civilians and military personnel for distinguished services to the nation. The new grades are Grand Cordon, Collar, Grand Cross, Grand Officer, Commander, Officer, and Knight.

In MedalBook, the Order is classified into types. Type I includes the awards of the Imperial Order of the Southern Cross, while Type II includes the awards of the National Order of the Southern Cross, and there is an extremely rare intermediate type granted between 1889 and 1891 by Marshal Deodoro da Fonseca, with a red star in the center of the wreath of tobacco and coffee leaves in the top.

In Type II, the awards were manufactured mainly by "LA ROYALE RIO BRASIL".