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Minas Geraes (pictured), the first of three Brazilian dreadnought battleships, was laid down, sparking a vastly expensive South American naval arms race with Argentina and Chile.
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Brazilian battleship Minas Geraes
20th century dreadnought
Minas Geraes, spelled Minas Gerais in some sources, was a dreadnought battleship of the Brazilian Navy. Named in honor of the state of Minas Gerais, the ship was laid down in April 1907 as the lead ship of its class, making the country the third to have a dreadnought under…Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)
Dreadnought
Early 20th century battleship type
The dreadnought was the predominant type of battleship in the early 20th century. The first of the kind, the Royal Navy's HMS Dreadnought, had such an effect when launched in 1906 that similar battleships built after her were referred to as "dreadnoughts", and earlier…Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)
Keel laying
Formal recognition of the start of a ship's construction
Laying the keel or laying down is the formal recognition of the start of a ship's construction. It is often marked with a ceremony attended by dignitaries from the shipbuilding company and the ultimate owners of the ship.Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)
South American dreadnought race
Early 20th century arms race among Argentina, Brazil, and Chile
A naval arms race among Argentina, Brazil, and Chile—the wealthiest and most powerful countries in South America—began in the early twentieth century when the Brazilian government ordered three dreadnoughts, formidable battleships whose capabilities far outstripped older vessels…Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)