The Order of Merit ( pt, Ordem do Mérito) is a Portuguese Honorific Order of civil merit intended to award those responsible for meritorious acts or services performed in the exercise of any functions, both in the public and the private sphere, which reveal self-sacrifice in favor of the community. The decorations are given by the

President of the Portuguese Republic The president of Portugal, officially the president of the Portuguese Republic ( pt, Presidente da República Portuguesa, ), is the head of state and highest office of Portugal. The powers, functions and duties of prior presidential offices, an ...

, in his role as the Grand-Master of the Portuguese Honorific Orders. The Order of Merit can be awarded, during life or posthumously, to both Portuguese and foreign citizens; it can also be awarded to localities or institutions that are legal persons governed by public law or of public utility. This order has been awarded to a number of people performing the most diverse functions such as ambassadors, businesspeople, military personnel, athletes and musicians.

History

The Order of Merit has its origin in April 1927, when the Order of Instruction and Benefaction (Original Portuguese: ''Ordem da Instrução e da Benemerência'') was created. The goal of this now extinct order was to distinguish the services performed by people or corporations in order to further the instruction in the country. In 1929, the Order of Instruction and Benefaction was split in two different orders, the Order of Benefaction and the

Order of Public Instruction The Order of Public Instruction is a Portuguese Portuguese may refer to: * anything of, from, or related to the country and nation of Portugal ** Portuguese cuisine, traditional foods ** Portuguese language, a Romance language *** Portuguese diale ...

, with the former now solely awarding acts related to social causes, public assistance and goodwill. In 1976, the order was renamed to its current title.

Grades

Grand Cross (GCM) (''Grã-Cruz'') * POR Ordem do Merito Gran-Oficial BAR

Grand Officer (GOM) (''Grande-Oficial'') * POR Ordem do Merito Comendador BAR

Commander (ComM) (''Comendador'' or ''Comendadeira'') * POR Ordem do Merito Oficial BAR

Officer (OM) (''Oficial'') * POR Ordem do Merito Medalha BAR

Medal (MedM) (''Medalha'') * Honorary Member (MHM) (''Membro Honorário'') List of all appointments to the Order of Merit correct as at December 2007

Citizens awarded with the Order of Merit

References

{{Orders, decorations and medals of Portugal 1929 establishments in Portugal Merit (Portugal), Order of Merit (Portugal), Order of Awards established in 1929