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. […]

Phone call: President Trump congratulates President Rebelo de Sousa – Portugal

01 May 2020

The President of Portugal, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, received a phone call this Friday, from President Donald Trump, praising the Portuguese government performance in battling the COVID19 epidemic, the office of the Portuguese President reported. During the call, President Trump congratulated Portugal and offered “all the useful help necessary and considered useful.” Bilateral issues of […]

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

Book: ‘The Christian Century in Japan 1549-1650’ by Charles R. Boxer – Editor’s Note

25 April 2020

The first known appearance of organized Christianity in Japan was the arrival of the Portuguese Catholics in 1549. Spanish missionary Francis Xavier arrived in Japan with three Japanese Catholic converts intending to start a church in Japan. The local Japanese people initially assumed that the foreigners were from India and that Christianity was a new […]

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

Today in History: “Dia da Liberdade” celebrated under duress – Portugal

25 April 2020

Since 1974 the Portuguese nation has been celebrating “Dia da Liberdade” [Freedom Day], with a national holiday on 25th April Revolution, to mark the bloodless military coup which brought democracy and civil liberties to modern Portugal. This year, due to the COVID19 epidemic, the celebrations have been simplified to a shorter non-public ceremony in the […]

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

Postponed: Pope Francis cancelling World Youth Day in Lisbon – Portugal

20 April 2020

Due to the COVID19 pandemic, Pope Francis has cancelled his pastoral visit to Lisbon, Portugal, in 2022, to preside to the World Youth Day – the Vatican announced this Monday. The event was postponed to August 2023. According to the announcement, “given the current health situation and its consequences, the Holy Father decided to postpone […]

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

Book: ‘Being Portuguese in Spanish’ by Jonathan Wade – Editor’s Note

15 April 2020

Among the many consequences of Spain’s annexation of Portugal from 1580 to 1640 was an increase in the number of Portuguese authors writing in Spanish. One can trace this practice as far back as the medieval period, although it was through Gil Vicente, Jorge de Montemayor, and others that Spanish-language texts entered the mainstream of […]

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

Pandemic: No end in sight forces more restrictive measures – Update

11 April 2020

This Saturday, Portugal has confirmed 470 deaths associated with the COVID19 pandemic, with 15,987 infected, according to official sources. The state of emergency was extended by another 15 days, to end April 17, as more measures to restrict movements were implemented, including during the Easter holiday weekend. Except for health reasons or imperative urgency, people […]

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Posted in Azores, Featured, Heritage, Organizations, People, Portugal, Travel, World