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. […]

Elections: José Bolieiro sworn President of the Regional Government – Azores

23 November 2020

President-elect José Manuel Bolieiro takes office as the new President of the Government of the Azores, replacing outgoing President Vasco Cordeiro, following the Azores’ regional elections held on 25 October 2020. The new Regional Government of the Azores will be inaugurated on Tuesday, November 24th. According to the Azorean parliament announcement, “The formal session of […]

Read the full story

Posted in Azores, Community, Featured, People, Politics, Portugal, World

Book: ‘Freedom Sun in the Tropics’ by Ana Maria Machado – Editor’s Note

14 November 2020

Based on the author’s own experiences of life, exile, and return under the dictatorship that gripped Brazil in the 1960s and 1970s, Freedom Sun in the Tropics follows Lena, a journalist, as she resists violence and political repression, and decides to flee to Paris. Upon her eventual return, Lena soon discovers that the dictatorship’s prison walls have […]

Read the full story

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

Opinion: Democracy ranks high for rights and liberties – Portugal

12 November 2020

By Len Port Amid declining democratic freedoms across the world, international studies have placed Portugal very highly for its level of political rights and civil liberties. The Freedom House research institute based in Washington D.C. ranks Portugal 10th globally – higher than such countries as the United Kingdom, Germany, and the United States. In its […]

Read the full story

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

US Elections: Lisbon welcomes leadership change in Washington – Portugal

07 November 2020

Portugal’s prime minister, António Costa, was among the first world leaders to congratulate president-elect Joe Biden. He tweeted on Saturday: “We look forward to working with the new USA Administration to reinforce transatlantic relations and cooperate on global issues, such as climate change, defense of democracy and international security.” Costa was joined by other European […]

Read the full story

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

The journey | Scott Edward Anderson at home away from home – Interview

05 November 2020

By Carolina Matos Born in Providence, Rhode Island, Scott Edward Anderson is a Portuguese American poet with roots on São Miguel island, in the Azores, from where his great-grandparents emigrated to the United States in the early 20th century. Although he grew up alienated from his Portuguese heritage, he yearned to connect with his ancestral roots. As a result, […]

Read the full story

Posted in Arts&Culture, Azores, Books, Community, Featured, Heritage, Interviews, Organizations, People, Portugal, São Miguel, World

COVID’19: November 2 pronounced National Day of Mourning – Portugal

02 November 2020

Portugal has pronounced November 2, 2020, a day of national mourning honoring victims of COVID’19. Signed by the President, the Government decree declared “November 2, 2020 a national day of mourning to pay tribute to all the deceased, particularly the victims of the COVID’19 pandemic.” The decree was approved by the Council of Ministers last […]

Read the full story

Posted in Featured, Heritage, Organizations, People, Portugal