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. […]

Report: Most affected in Global Climate Risk Index – Portugal

09 December 2015

By Len Port, Contributor (*) Portugal was among the 20 countries in the world most affected by global warming over the past 20 years, according to a Global Climate Risk Index report presented at the climate change conference in Paris. “The Index indicates the level of exposure and vulnerability to extreme events that countries should […]

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

Book: ‘Conquerors: How Portugal Forged the First Global Empire’ – Editor’s Note

01 December 2015

In Empires of the Sea and City of Fortune, New York Times bestselling author Roger Crowley established himself as our generation’s preeminent historian of the great European seafaring empires, and the go-to author for post-Crusade clashes of East and West. Now, in Conquerors, Crowley gives us the epic story of the emergence of Portugal, a […]

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

Award: Alentejo ‘chocalhos’ listed as ‘Intangible Heritage of Humanity’ – UNESCO

01 December 2015

Portugal’s southern region of Alentejo was distinguished, by United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), for “chocalhos” the ancestral manufacture of cowbells listed today as “Intangible Heritage of Humanity” by the organization. The bells are made throughout mainland Portugal and on the islands, wherever animals are grazed. Today, there are master cowbell makers in […]

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Posted in Arts&Culture, Azores, Featured, Heritage, People, Portugal

What next? Portuguese facing another general election? – Portugal

28 November 2015

By Len Port, Contributor (*) Lest there was any doubt, it has just been confirmed that we live in a politically weird world. Never mind the shenanigans going on elsewhere in Europe and farther afield, Portugal now has a new government — another new government. Having muddled through almost two rudderless months since the general […]

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Posted in Featured, Heritage, People, Politics, Portugal

Report: Portugal holds largest inequality gap among developed countries – Morgan Stanley

26 November 2015

Portugal holds the largest socio-economic inequality gap among 20 developed countries according to a study by US-based bank Morgan Stanley, released Tuesday. With a population of nearly 10 million, Portugal remains Western Europe’s poorest country. The report ranked the inequality gap in Portugal using several socio-economic indicators, ranging from distribution of income, access to health services […]

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

UPDATE: Anti-austerity leftist alliance set to form government – Portugal

24 November 2015

Fifty one days after the parliamentary elections on October 4, Portugal’s president, Aníbal Cavaco Silva, has named, on Tuesday, Socialist Party leader, Antonio Costa, Prime Minister, calling him to form government with the Communist Party and radical Left Bloc. The pronouncement ends weeks of presidential indecisiveness over the political future of the country. The appointment […]

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