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. […]

Book: ‘Portuguese Home Cooking’ by Ana Patuleia Ortins – Editor’s Note

11 December 2021

The Mediterranean diet is famed for its fresh and vibrant cuisine. In this book, Ana Patuleia Ortins invites you to discover or revisit the soul-comforting, peasant food of Portugal, just as vibrant, yet distinct from that of its neighbors. Peppered with a lifetime of anecdotes from a passionate cook, Portuguese Home Cooking draws us into […]

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Posted in Books, Community, Featured, Food & Wine, Heritage, Portugal

COVID’19: Survivor tells of what may await the unvaccinated – by Len Port

11 December 2021

Some people continue to be complacent about becoming infected by COVID-19 even with the uncertainties posed by the latest variant in the run-up to the normally busy festive season.  One thing virtually all medical experts agree on is that as many people as possible should get fully vaccinated, yet some people are still refusing to […]

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Posted in Featured, People, Portugal

Appointed: Alberto Carvalho superintendent of Los Angeles School District – Miami, FL

11 December 2021

Miami-Dade County Public Schools Superintendent, Alberto Carvalho, was appointed the next superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District. Born in Lisbon, Portugal, he immigrated to the United States at age 17, as an undocumented immigrant and day laborer, to become one of the nation’s most experienced and admired school district leaders. He arrived without […]

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Posted in Community, Education, Featured, People, Portugal

Ilhas Selvagens: One of the world’s best-preserved ecological treasures – Madeira

09 December 2021

The Ilhas Selvagens Nature Reserve, located south of Madeira archipelago, now extends its total protection status from 95 km2 to 2,677 km2, making it the largest in Europe and the entire North Atlantic, and one of the world’s best-preserved ecological treasures. Created 50 years ago, and endorsed by a new legal framework, the ecological reserve […]

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Posted in Featured, Madeira, Portugal, World

Appointed: Zachary Cunha next US Attorney for Rhode Island – Washington, DC

08 December 2021

Zachary Cunha has been appointed as the next U.S. Attorney for Rhode Island. The appointment was approved by the United States Senate Tuesday night. Cunha is currently the chief of the Civil Division in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Rhode Island. He joined the office in 2014. He will be replacing Aaron […]

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Posted in Community, Featured, Organizations, People, Portugal

Film: ‘The Metamorphosis of Birds’ selected by the Hollywood Academy – Los Angeles

07 December 2021

The film, The Metamorphosis of Birds (2020), by Portuguese director Catarina Vasconcelos, is among the 93 films, selected by the Hollywood Academy, to be included in the official list of candidates for the 2022 Oscar nomination for Best International Film. The film, which has won several international prestigious awards  was nominated by the Portuguese Academy […]

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Posted in Arts&Culture, Awards, Featured, Film, People, Portugal, World