Portuguese American Journal

Portuguese American Journal

Featured Stories
1976-2026 | Azoreans mark 50 years of Autonomy with solemn ceremony Canada | Brampton to inaugurate replica of Portas da Cidade 100 years ago | Devastating earthquake shook Faial Island Sports | Fernando Pimenta world canoeing champion Community | 20th Anniversary of Portas da Cidade Celebration
 

1976-2026 | Azoreans mark 50 years of Autonomy with solemn ceremony – Horta, Faial

The Autonomous Region of the Azores marked a historic milestone with a Solemn Session on Friday, September 4, at the inaugural session of the Regional Assembly in Horta, Faial, honoring the 50th anniversary of the establishment of self-government. The Regional Assembly’s first solemn session took place exactly 50 years ago in Horta and was presided […]

Canada | Brampton to inaugurate replica of Portas da Cidade – Toronto, Ontario

One of the most recognizable symbols of the Azores, Portas da Cidade (City Gates) of Ponta Delgada, will soon have a new home in Brampton, in Canada’s Greater Toronto Area. The inauguration of a full-scale replica of the historic monument is scheduled for September 12, 2026, at Azores Park, 100 Malta Avenue.  The monument will […]

100 years ago | Devastating earthquake shook Faial Island – Azores

One hundred years ago today, on the morning of August 31, 1926, the island of Faial was violently shaken by one of the most destructive earthquakes in the modern history of the Azores.  A century later, the Museu da Horta is commemorating the disaster with historical photographs, educational activities and an earthquake-preparedness exercise involving about […]

Sports | Fernando Pimenta world canoeing champion – Poznan, Poland

Portuguese canoeing star Fernando Pimenta was crowned world champion in the K1 1000 meters, winning a dramatic final at the Canoe Sprint World Championships in Poznan, Poland, on August 29, 2026.  The achievement adds another historic chapter to the career of the athlete from Ponte de Lima, widely regarded as Portugal’s greatest canoeist. Pimenta currently […]

Community | 20th Anniversary of Portas da Cidade Celebration – Fall River, MA

Mayor Paul Coogan, in conjunction with the Portas da Cidade Advisory Committee and the Prince Henry Society, will host a special ceremony commemorating the 20th anniversary of the Portas da Cidade (City Gates), one of Fall River’s most recognizable symbols of its Azorean heritage.  The celebration will take place Monday, August 31, at 10:30 am […]

Honor | President José Bolieiro awarded the Peter Benchley Ocean Award – Monterey, CA

05 February 2026

José Manuel Bolieiro, President of the Regional Government of the Azores, has been honored with the prestigious Peter Benchley Ocean Award, recognizing his leadership and commitment to ocean conservation, sustainable marine governance, and the protection of Atlantic ecosystems. Bolieiro is scheduled to formally accept the distinction, often referred to as the “Oscars of the Ocean,” […]

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Posted in Awards, Azores, Community, Featured, Organizations, People, Portugal, World

Book | Representing the Middle Ages in Modern Portugal (1890–1947) | By Pedro Martins – Editor’s Note

03 February 2026

What role did the Middle Ages play in the construction of Portuguese national identity in the modern age? Which medieval ideas, themes, objects, buildings, events, and figures contributed to this process? How did Portuguese intellectuals, artists, and politicians from the late-nineteenth century to the mid-twentieth century narrate, rework, and commemorate them? These are some of […]

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Posted in Arts&Culture, Books, Featured, Heritage, Politics, Portugal

Update | New deadly storm threatens the country nationwide – Portugal

03 February 2026

As Portugal recovers from widespread devastation caused by Storm Kristin, authorities warn that a new severe storm system is expected to affect large portions of the country this week, significantly increasing the risk of renewed flooding, landslides, and infrastructure damage. The Portuguese Institute of the Sea and the Atmosphere (IPMA) expects the new storm, named […]

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Posted in Azores, Featured, Madeira, Portugal, World

Community | Guitarist Nuno Bettencourt wins Grammy Award – Los Angeles, CA

02 February 2026

Guitarist Nuno Bettencourt was among the winners at this year’s Grammy Awards ceremony in Los Angeles, marking another major milestone in his celebrated international career.  He won the Grammy in the category of Best Rock Performance for his participation in ‘Changes (Live from Villa Park)’. The show took place in Birmingham, UK, in 2025, at […]

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Posted in Arts&Culture, Azores, Community, Featured, Heritage, Music, People, Portugal, Terceira, World

Diplomacy | President of Portugal invites Pope Leo XIV to visit Portugal – Vatican 

02 February 2026

The President of Portugal, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, was received in an official audience today, February 2, at the Vatican, by Pope Leo XIV, during which the Holy Father was formally invited to visit Portugal. Pope Leo XIV expressed appreciation for the invitation, subject to the Holy Father’s pastoral agenda. During the audience, President Marcelo […]

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Posted in Azores, Featured, People, Portugal, World

Storm Kristin | Pope Leo XIV sends message of solidarity to Portuguese victims – Vatican 

30 January 2026

Pope Leo XIV has expressed his “deep sorrow” and spiritual closeness to the people of Portugal following the devastation caused by Storm Kristin, which struck several regions of the country in recent days, causing widespread destruction, especially in the Central regions, including Leiria and Coimbra.  In a telegram addressed to D. José Ornelas, President of […]

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Posted in Featured, People, Portugal, World