More than two and a half centuries after the 1755 earthquake, Sebastião José de Carvalho e Melo is a name still indissociable from the history of the Portuguese capital. Few Lisboners will know, however, that the date of his birth (May 13th) was once a municipal holiday. When this happened, in 1926, by decision of the City Council, the figure of the Marquis of Pombal had been the object of political worship since the early days of the constitutional monarchy and, when it came to electing the date for the municipal holiday, the City Council chose the man who was considered the «rebuilder of Lisbon». This option was only one of several municipal initiatives that culminated in an 19th century spirit strongly related to Pombal. Over 100 years and spanning three different regimes, the Marquis was considered to be a heroic figure and one who unified an idea of Portugal. 1926 was a destiny-year for such historical reverence to the minister of King José, a moment as decisive as it was ephemeral in the management of this controversial figure’s public memory.