Portuguese American Journal

Portuguese American Journal

Featured Stories
Heritage | Portugal one of the most peaceful nations Day of Portugal | US Secretary of State Marco Rubio honors Portugal June 10th | Day of Portugal celebrations underway at home and across the diaspora Diplomacy | Portugal elected to the United Nations Security Council World Cup
 

Heritage | Portugal one of the most peaceful nations – Global Peace Index

Portugal has once again been recognized as one of the safest and most peaceful nations on the planet, ranking 7th globally in the latest Global Peace Index (GPI), published by the Institute for Economics and Peace.  Portugal has consistently ranked among the world’s safest destinations for residents, visitors, and investors alike. The country previously reached […]

Day of Portugal | US Secretary of State Marco Rubio honors Portugal –  Washington, DC

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued an official statement on June 10, 2026, marking Portugal Day, officially known as “Dia de Portugal, de Camões e das Comunidades Portuguesas” (Day of Portugal, Camões, and the Portuguese Communities). In his message, Secretary Rubio emphasized the historic friendship between the two countries, highlighting shared democratic values, economic […]

June 10th | Day of Portugal celebrations underway at home and across the diaspora – Terceira, Azores

On June 10, 2026, Portugal celebrates its National Day, officially known as Dia de Portugal, de Camões e das Comunidades Portuguesas (Day of Portugal, Camões, and the Portuguese Communities). The annual observance honors Portugal’s history, culture, and the contributions of Portuguese communities around the world. The holiday also commemorates the legacy of Portugal’s sixteenth-century poet,  […]

Diplomacy | Portugal elected to the United Nations Security Council – New York, NY

Portugal was elected on Wednesday as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2027–2028 term, marking the fourth time the country has secured a seat on the UN’s principal body for maintaining international peace and security. Portugal previously served on the Council in 1979–1980, 1997–1998, and 2011–2012. “We were members of […]

World Cup’26 | Portuguese squad among the leading contenders – Portugal

Portugal’s squad is preparing for one of the nation’s strongest FIFA World Cup campaigns in history as the ‘Seleção’ heads to the 2026 tournament hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Led by head coach Roberto Martínez, Portugal enters the tournament among the leading contenders for the championship. Drawn into Group K, Portugal will […]

Portugal: Pandemic is causing mental health havoc – by Len Port

01 February 2021

Mental health issues are festering on the sidelines of the constant news reports about COVID’19 infection and death rates, strict lockdown measures, the economic slump and vaccination plans.   As is the case globally, a great many citizens in Portugal have to cope with Covid-related stress, anxiety, loneliness, fear, depression, anger or worse.  Other symptoms include […]

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Posted in Azores, Featured, Heritage, Madeira, Portugal

Euthanasia: Lawmakers vote in favor of medically assisted suicide – Portugal

30 January 2021

Portugal Parliament voted overwhelming, on Friday, 136-78 with four abstentions, in favor of euthanasia, allowing doctors to medically assist patients to commit suicide through lethal drugs. Although President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, with 20 days to deliberate, has the power to approve, veto or send the law to the Constitutional Court for review, Parliament can […]

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

Corruption: Portugal dropped three places in the 2020 Corruption Perception Index – Transparency International

28 January 2021

Portugal dropped three places, to 33rd place with 61 points, in the 2020 Corruption Perception Index report, published on Thursday, by Transparency International. With the lowest score ever, Portugal is now “well below the average figures for Western Europe and the European Union, set at 66 points,” it was reported. Transparency International (TI), a non-governmental […]

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

Book: ‘Slave Trade and Abolition: Gender, Commerce’ by Vanessa S. Oliveira – Editor’s Note

26 January 2021

Well into the early nineteenth century, Luanda, the administrative capital of Portuguese Angola, was one of the most influential ports for the transatlantic slave trade. Between 1801 and 1850, it served as the point of embarkation for more than 535,000 enslaved Africans. In the history of this diverse, wealthy city, the gendered dynamics of the […]

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Posted in Angola, Arts&Culture, Azores, Books, Brazil, Cape Verde, Featured, Guiné-Bissau, Heritage, Madeira, Mozambique, People, Portugal, São Tomé and Prince, World

Book: ‘Think Least of Death: Spinoza on How to Live and How to Die’- Editor’s Note

25 January 2021

From Pulitzer Prize-finalist Steven Nadler, an engaging guide to what Spinoza can teach us about life’s big questions. In 1656, after being excommunicated from Amsterdam’s Portuguese-Jewish community for “abominable heresies” and “monstrous deeds,” the young Baruch Spinoza abandoned his family’s import business to dedicate his life to philosophy. He quickly became notorious across Europe for […]

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Posted in Arts&Culture, Books, Featured, Heritage, People, Portugal, World

Elected: Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa President with 61% of votes – Portugal

24 January 2021

Social Democrat  (PSD), 72, was reelected, on Sunday, for a second five-year mandate with 61% of votes above his 52% win in 2016. He takes office officially on March 9, 2021. Center-left Ana Gomes (PS/13%) won a distant second place while populist André Ventura (Chega/12%) won a third place. Other contenders included, Marisa Matias (Bloco […]

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Posted in Azores, Featured, Heritage, Madeira, Politics, Portugal, World