In the late 19th century, rowing dominated Rio de Janeiro. Six young men from the Flamengo neighborhood came up with the idea of ​​creating a rowing group to compete with clubs from other neighborhoods for the sport and the attention of Rio's young women.

In October 1895, these young men were crossing from Caju Beach in Ramos toward Flamengo Beach. The weather was neither calm nor favorable, and the boat capsized! One of the young men, the glorious Bahia, decided to swim across Guanabara Bay for over four hours in search of help. Meanwhile, the rain let up, and another boat arrived to rescue the rowers who had drifted ashore and what was left of the beloved "Pherusa," the vessel used by the young men.

Thus, on the evening of November 17, 1895, at number 22 on Flamengo Beach, the six young men held a meeting to officially found the Flamengo Regatta Group. That same night, the first board of directors of the Regatta Group was established, and the official founding date would be November 15, a national holiday.

As you know, we weren't always red and black. The incomparable color combination came from Nestor de Barros, one of the founders, who suggested the change. Initially, we wore blue and golden yellow. But they faded easily in the waters of the Bay, and the fabric imported from England was too expensive for our coffers. So, on November 23, 1896, the colors were officially changed to red and black. This date, years later, would become the anniversary of the soccer team's 1981 Copa Libertadores victory.