This medal was issued to commemorate the opening of the new building for the Bibliotheca Nacional in Rio de Janeiro in 1910, and likely presented to the Raffles Library and Museum by the Colonial Secretary's Office. The library as an institution had been in existence since 1810, following a decision made by the Portuguese royal court to move their collections to safety in Brazil following the great earthquake in Lisbon in 1755. The library was transferred to independent Empire of Brazil in 1822, and then again to republican Brazil in 1899. Over these decades, the library's collections expanded as a result of purchases and donations, and discussions to transfer the Bibliotheca Nacional to a more suitable building were underway as early as1858. The Bibliotheca Nacional building was finally unveiled to public in 1910, and continues to serve its function to the present day.
