Beginning in 1501 European explorers, primarily Portuguese, led voyages starting out from a port approximately 20 miles away from current day Natal. In 1597 the Portuguese Governor of Brazil decided to oust the French pirates and buccaneers who had ruled much of the commerce. He was successful.

On this day December 25, in 1599, the city of Natal, Brazil is founded. Natal, a word related to “nativity” for having been founded on Christmas, was built around the Fort of the Holy Kings. This fort was named after the biblical Three Wise Men. There couldn’t be a more perfect name for this newly founded town.

Natal is the capital of the Brazilian state Rio Grande de Norte, with over 800,000 people in its city and over 1.3 million in the outlying areas. Natal is most notable for its beautiful beaches and in particular the Morro do Careca – the Cliff of Dolphins, which draws in tourists throughout Brazil and Europe. Natal was also selected to be one of the hosts for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.