The most poetic moment of the IV Centenary — when the Brazilian Air Force turned São Paulo's sky to silver.
The Silver Rain
The Silver Rain over Vale do Anhangabaú, 1954
The Silver Rain
At the close of the first day of festivities, July 9, 1954, Brazilian Air Force planes flew over the city dropping thousands of small triangles of silver laminated paper, illuminated by Army searchlights. The scene — considered the most beautiful of the entire event — became known as the Silver Rain. The spectacle even gave rise to a candy that would become a São Paulo icon: the Dadinho, originally named "IV Centenário," wrapped in silver paper and stamped with the Ascending Volute. The night ended with Getúlio Vargas greeting all those present — even his opposition.
Historical Footage
1954 IV Centenary — Silver Rain
Silver Rain Records
The crowd under the Silver Rain — silver triangles falling over Vale do Anhangabaú
São Paulo's silver sky — the spectacle illuminated by Army searchlights
Street celebrations — an entire city looking up
The nighttime spectacle that closed the first day of festivities
Dadinho — candy created as a tribute to the IV Centenary, originally called "IV Centenário," featuring the Ascending Volute on its packaging
The Shimmer of the Silver Rain
The Silver Rain is the most poetic moment of the IV Centenary. Its image — silver triangles falling from the night sky over an amazed crowd — captures, like no other, the spirit of a São Paulo that dreamed big. It is this spirit of boldness and celebration that lives on in the SSP 1954 collection.
