Portuguese American Journal

Portuguese American Journal

Featured Stories
1976-2026 | Azores celebrate 50 Years of Constitutional Autonomy Book | Bag of Kisses | By Melanie Pereira April 25th |  “Dia da Liberdade” celebrated nationwide and across the diaspora Community | Justice Department moves to revoke citizenship for naturalized immigrants Honor | Writer João Pedro Vala recipient of the PEN/O. Henry Award
 

1976-2026 | Azores celebrate 50 Years of Constitutional Autonomy – Azores 

The Autonomous Region of the Azores is preparing for a historic year of celebrations in 2026 to mark the 50th anniversary of its Constitutional Autonomy. This milestone underscores five decades of self-governance, regional identity, and transatlantic connection.  The commemorations will culminate on September 8, 2026, marking the formal implementation of autonomy under the Constitution of […]

Book | Bag of Kisses | By Melanie Pereira – Editor’s Note

For a little girl whose daddy is a fisherman in the #1 fishing port in the world, goodbyes are never easy. But before he leaves for sea, her parents share a special secret―a magical bag of kisses that keeps their love close, no matter how far the waves carry him. As the days pass and […]

April 25th |  “Dia da Liberdade” celebrated nationwide and across the diaspora – Portugal

The Portuguese nation commemorates today the 52nd anniversary of the Carnation Revolution transition to democracy, with a nationwide program of official ceremonies, public demonstrations, and cultural events. The celebrations expanded abroad, connecting the country to its global diaspora, particularly in the United States. At the center of the national commemorations will be the traditional formal […]

Community | Justice Department moves to revoke citizenship for naturalized immigrants – Washington, D.C.

The U.S. Department of Justice is moving to accelerate efforts to revoke the citizenship of certain naturalized Americans, targeting cases where individuals are suspected of having obtained citizenship through fraud or misrepresentation. Citizenship is considered one of the most secure legal statuses in the United States. Therefore, the overall impact of such measures is likely […]

Honor | Writer João Pedro Vala recipient of the PEN/O. Henry Award – New York, NY

Portuguese writer João Pedro Vala has been awarded a prestigious PEN/O. Henry Award for his short story “Inês,” a recognition widely regarded as one of the highest honors in English-language short fiction. The first Portuguese author to receive that distinction, his short story ‘Inês’ was selected for inclusion in the PEN/O. Henry Prize Stories anthology. […]

Milestone | Portugal celebrates 70th anniversary as a UN member – United Nations

05 December 2025

Seventy years ago, on December 14, 1955, Portugal formally became a member of the United Nations, marking a new chapter in its international engagement. Since then, Portugal has consistently contributed to the defence of peace, human rights, international law and sustainable development within the UN system, becoming a committed, constructive actor on the global stage. […]

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Posted in Featured, Organizations, People, Politics, Portugal, World

Grant opportunity | Gulbenkian Foundation Announces Research Scholarships – Portugal

02 December 2025

The Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation has announced its Gulbenkian Research Scholarships on Portuguese Culture for Foreigners, supporting international scholars who wish to conduct research in Portugal in the fields of history, literature, and art history, interested in promoting the global study of Portuguese culture. The scholarship program is open to non-Portuguese nationals residing abroad, designed to […]

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Posted in Arts&Culture, Education, Featured, Organizations, Portugal, World

Book | Baking with Love | By Maria Lawton – Editor’s Note

02 December 2025

Baking with Maria and her Avó’s Sweet Recipes for Little Chefs is a warm, inviting introduction to Portuguese home baking—created especially for young chefs learning side-by-side with a grown-up they love. This beautifully illustrated, spiral-bound cookbook is designed to sit flat on the counter, making it easy for little hands and big helpers to bake […]

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Posted in Arts&Culture, Azores, Books, Community, Featured, Heritage, Portugal, World

November 25 | How should the country remember its transition to democracy? – Portugal 

25 November 2025

Portugal is marking November 25 with a mix of official ceremonies, political statements, and renewed public debate about the date’s significance in the context of the country’s narrative of its democratic history. Parliamentary ceremonies, combined with political postures inside the Assembly of the Republic, have placed the date at the center of a heated conversation […]

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Posted in Featured, Heritage, Organizations, People, Politics, Portugal, World

Travel Alert | General strike to cause major flight disruptions on December 11 – Portugal

24 November 2025

Travelers heading to or from Portugal on December 11, 2025, should prepare for widespread flight cancellations and significant delays, as a nationwide general strike is expected to severely disrupt operations at all major airports. The warning comes from the SNPVAC cabin-crew union, whose president has cautioned that it will be “very difficult to operate flights” […]

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Posted in Azores, Community, Featured, Madeira, Portugal, Travel, World

“Tudo bem?” Portuguese with a little chutzpah – By Merril Silver

24 November 2025

“Tudo bem?” I greeted everyone on a recent trip to Portugal with my husband. “All good?” I was asking, with a smile a mile wide. When I added hello, good morning, good afternoon, and good evening (in Portuguese), I was no longer an American tourist. I felt like a local! The conversation continued (in Portuguese, […]

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Posted in Featured, Food & Wine, People, Portugal, Travel, World