Portuguese historian and television personality, José Hermano Saraiva, has died today age 93.

Saraiva was most famous in Portugal and beloved among Portuguese communities around the world, through his television programs “História Essencial de Portugal” and “A Alma e a Gente” on the History of Portugal.

The programs were broadcast by Radio Televisão Portuguesa Internacional (RTPI) as part of the Portuguese  national public broadcast television system network.

An author, lecturer and diplomat, Saraiva was a member of the prestigious Sciences Academy of Lisbon, Portuguese Academy of History and the São Paulo Historical Institute (Brazil)

Hermano Saraiva was distinguished with the highest Portuguese and Brazilian recognition awards, namely the Grã-Cruz da Ordem da Instrução Pública, the Grã-Cruz da Ordem do Barão do Rio Branco of Brazil, the Grã-Cruz da Ordem do Mérito do Trabalho and the Comendador da Real Ordem de Nossa Senhora da Conceição de Vila Viçosa. Read more >>

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Saraiva (below) November 2011:  “No matter what the future holds there will always be moonlight,  Serra de Sintra and the Tagus flowing towards the sea”  – José Hermano Saraiva  (1917-2012)

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wchZ6EYOqGA&feature=related[/youtube]