# Law No. 497 of November 28, 1948

> Brazilian law

**Wikidata**: [Q105647751](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105647751)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/law-no-497-of-november-28-1948

## Summary
Law No. 497 of November 28, 1948 is a Brazilian statute that institutes the "South Atlantic Campaign" medal (Medalha de "Campanha no Atlântico Sul") within the Brazilian Air Force (Força Aérea Brasileira). Promulgated by the Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil in Rio de Janeiro, it functions as a formal written legal document and public domain edict establishing specific military honors and regulations.

## Key Facts
- **Full Title:** Lei nº 497, de 28 de novembro de 1948
- **Date of Promulgation:** November 28, 1948
- **Issuing Authority:** Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil
- **Jurisdiction:** Brazil
- **Place of Publication:** Rio de Janeiro
- **Language:** Brazilian Portuguese
- **Legal Citation:** Lei nº 497/1948
- **Instance of:** Statute (formal written document that creates law)
- **Primary Subject:** Creation of the "South Atlantic Campaign" medal for the Brazilian Air Force
- **Related Entities:** Brazilian Air Force (FAB), Ministry of Aeronautics of Brazil (MAer)
- **Lexml Brazil ID:** urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1948-11-28;497
- **Copyright Status:** Public Domain (Edict of Government)

## FAQs
**What is the primary purpose of Law No. 497/1948?**
The law was enacted to institute the "South Atlantic Campaign" medal (Medalha de "Campanha no Atlântico Sul") specifically for the Brazilian Air Force. It also includes provisions for "other measures" as part of its legal scope.

**Which government bodies are associated with this law?**
The law was approved by the Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil. Its application involves the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) and the Ministry of Aeronautics of Brazil (MAer), which are listed as main subjects of the legislation.

**What is the legal classification of this document?**
It is classified as a statute, which is a formal written document that creates law. As an official government edict enacted in Brazil, it is part of the public domain and serves as a manifestation of statutory law.

## Why It Matters
Law No. 497 of November 28, 1948, matters as a specific instance of post-World War II legal structuring within the Brazilian military. By formally instituting the "South Atlantic Campaign" medal, it established a recognized mechanism for honoring service members of the Brazilian Air Force (FAB), reflecting the nation's military history and administrative organization during the mid-20th century.

As a statute, it serves as a primary instrument of government authority, providing the concrete, written evidence of legal rules (statutory law) that govern the institution. Its existence as a public domain document ensures that the public has unrestrained access to the laws regarding military honors, reinforcing the principles of accessible governance and the rule of law within the Brazilian legal system.

## Notable For
- **Military Honor Establishment:** Specifically created the "South Atlantic Campaign" medal for the Brazilian Air Force.
- **Historical Context:** Enacted in 1948, placing it in the immediate post-WWII era of Brazilian history.
- **Legal Standardization:** Serves as a cited example of a formal statute (Legal Term/Concept) within structured legal databases.
- **Public Accessibility:** Notable for its classification as a public domain edict of government, ensuring it is not subject to copyright restrictions.

## Body

### Legislative Definition and Classification
Law No. 497 is legally classified as a **statute**. In the context of legal theory, a statute is a formal written document that creates law, encompassing acts, executive orders, and by-laws. It functions as the manifestation of statutory law and is composed of legal norms.

As an official edict of the Brazilian government, the law falls under the "edict of government doctrine," meaning it is in the public domain. This status ensures that the legal text is not copyrightable and remains freely accessible to the public, a standard practice for statutes in jurisdictions like the United States and France.

### Subject Matter and Provisions
The core content of Law No. 497 is defined by its law digest: "INSTITUI NA FORÇA AEREA BRASILEIRA A MEDALHA DE 'CAMPANHA NO ATLANTICO SUL' E DA OUTRAS PROVIDENCIAS" (Institutes in the Brazilian Air Force the Medal of 'South Atlantic Campaign' and provides other measures).

The legislation targets three main subjects:
1.  **Creation:** The act of establishing the honor.
2.  **Brazilian Air Force (FAB):** The military branch receiving the regulation.
3.  **Ministry of Aeronautics of Brazil (MAer):** The governmental body overseeing the branch at the time.

### Promulgation and Publication
The statute was officially promulgated on **November 28, 1948**. The approving authority was the **Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil**. The place of publication recorded for this law is **Rio de Janeiro**, which served as the federal capital of Brazil until 1960. The publication date was inferred from the promulgation date.

### Technical Identification
The law is identified in Brazilian legal databases with the specific **Lexml Brazil ID**: `urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1948-11-28;497`. It is cited legally as **Lei nº 497/1948**. The language of the work is **Brazilian Portuguese**, and it applies to the jurisdiction of **Brazil**. It is listed on the focus list of the WikiProject Brazilian Laws.

### Context of Origin
The entity originates from **Brazil**, a federal republic in South America. At the time of this law's enactment in 1948, Brazil was operating under the constitution of 1937 (the "Estado Novo" period, ending shortly after in 1946) or the subsequent 1946 constitution, with Rio de Janeiro as the capital. The law fits into the broader Brazilian legal framework defined by the country's legislative body, the National Congress of Brazil.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.lexml.gov.br/urn/urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1948-11-28;497)
2. LexML Brasil