Portugal was the oldest European power that started the colonization of the African continent as far back as the 15th century, therefore, during the colonization of Africa, Portugal had a chronological advantage over its later competitors, included in the fight for Africa in the XIX century . Among the new powers were Great Britain, France, Germany and Belgium . In contrast to them, Portugal, like Spain, since the beginning of the XVII century experienced a deep economic and social decline, having different reasons . When Portugal itself actually turned into a British dependent state . Therefore, the "new" colonial powers very quickly began to threaten Portuguese interests in Africa .

On January 31, 1891, the first Republican speech against the monarchy . The society protested against the weakness of the crown, against the decisions of the government (for example obedience to the British who opposed the "pink card" - the junction of the Portuguese colonies on the African continent - Angola and Mozambique - by land) and for the preservation the status of a strong power . The struggle that dragged on for decades . Portugal was proclaimed by the republic only on October 5, 1910 . January 31 is marked as the day of the first of three uprisings of the Republican movement against the constitutional monarchy .

After the Republic was created in Portugal in memory of this uprising, St. Anthony's street was renamed to the street "January 31."