The history of Belo Horizonte (BH) is rich and complex, marked by significant events and transformations. The city was inaugurated on December 12, 1897, after a long process that involved the construction of a new capital for Minas Gerais. Originally known as "Cidade de Minas" and "Belo Horizonte" , the city finally settled on the name Belo Horizonte in 1901.

The construction of Belo Horizonte resulted in the destruction of the old Arraial de Curral del-Rei, founded in 1707, to make way for the new capital. The city's development was driven by a modern urban planning project, which included the creation of wide avenues, tree-lined streets and planned neighborhoods.