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. […]

Calamity | Devastating wildfires spreading across central and northern regions – Portugal

18 August 2025

Portugal is facing one of the most devastating wildfire seasons in recent years, with more than 172,000 hectares burned nationwide. In just four days between August 14 and 17, nearly 96,200 hectares were lost, surpassing the total area scorched in 2023.  The Central region has been the hardest hit, particularly in the districts of Castelo […]

Read the full story

Posted in Featured, Portugal

Science | Santa Maria hosting “Astronaut for a Day” initiative – Azores

18 August 2025

From September 18 to 21, 2025, the Portuguese Space Agency will host the third edition of its “Astronaut for a Day” initiative, offering participants the opportunity to experience parabolic flights that simulate the sensation of microgravity. Accordingly, 30 young people from across Portugal will have the rare opportunity to experience life as astronauts. Hosting the […]

Read the full story

Posted in Azores, Featured, Organizations, People, Portugal, Santa Maria, World

Terceira | 39th International Folk Azores Festival – Azores 

12 August 2025

The 39th International Folklore Festival of the Azores (Folk Azores) is underway from August 10 to 17, 2025, transforming Terceira Island into a living stage of global cultural heritage. Recognized as Portugal’s largest international folklore festival, Folk Azores fosters cross-cultural dialogue while celebrating the living traditions of the Azores. Organized by COFIT (Comité Organizador de […]

Read the full story

Posted in Azores, Community, Featured, Heritage, Organizations, People, Portugal, Uncategorized, World

Azores | Exhibit at the Osaka-Kansai 2025 World Expo – Japan

12 August 2025

The Autonomous Region of the Azores will be present at the Osaka-Kansai 2025 World Expo in Japan from August 14 to 17. The Azores will be represented in the Portuguese Pavilion with the theme “Between Hearts,” evoking the emotional and cultural ties between two distant archipelagos united by the ocean.  “It is with united hearts […]

Read the full story

Posted in Azores, Featured, Heritage, Portugal, World

U.S. Senate | John Arrigo confirmed U.S. Ambassador to Portugal – Washington, DC

05 August 2025

The U.S. Senate confirmed John Arrigo as the next Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States to Portugal on August 2, 2025, with a vote of 52 in favor and 42 against.  The position of U.S. Ambassador to Portugal had remained vacant since the departure of former ambassador Randi Charno Levine in early 2025. […]

Read the full story

Posted in Featured, People, Portugal, World

Book | Designing Brazil | By Jurandir Malerba – Editor’s Note

05 August 2025

This book presents a historical synthesis of colonial relations between Brazil and Portugal, illuminating the projects that the statesmen of the period formulated for the rich Portuguese territory in America―at first as a colonial domain, then as a potential independent country. Drawing on primary sources and historiographical dialogues with classic and current works, the book […]

Read the full story

Posted in Arts&Culture, Books, Brazil, Featured, Portugal, World