Founding of Flamengo football club in Rio de Janeiro

Background. Clube de Regatas do Flamengo is a Brazilian multi-sports club based in Rio de Janeiro, specifically in the Gávea neighborhood. The club was founded in 1895 and named after the Flamengo neighborhood. It is best known for its professional football team, which did not play its first official match until 1912, indicating a distinct separation between the club's founding as a rowing entity and its later football development.

Establishment. The club was established in 1895 as the "Flamengo Regatta Group," later renamed the "Flamengo Regatta Club." This was the first organized athletic department, forming the basis of the club's history. The founding meeting took place at Nestor de Barros's manor on Flamengo Beach. During this meeting, the official colors were decided as blue and gold to symbolize the sky of Rio de Janeiro and the riches of Brazil.

Early Activities. The team debuted on 6 October 1895, sailing from Caju Point toward Flamengo Beach. This event marked the beginning of the club's athletic operations. The club's identity was rooted in rowing, with the football team's uniform later differing from the rowers' due to internal disagreements in 1912, highlighting the distinct origins of the club's departments.