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. […]

Travel: Azores leading top 100 world sustainable green destinations – Award

12 December 2014

The Global Sustainable Tourism Review (GSTR), by QualityCoast, has listed the Azores as one of the most sustainable green destinations in the world and the leading 2014 European green tourism destination. The Azores ranked highest with a final score of 8,9 over a total of 10 points the highest global sustainability score by GSTR. The top of […]

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

Manoel de Oliveira: Recipient of France’s Légion D’Honneur – Portugal

11 December 2014

Portuguese film director, Manoel de Oliveira, was awarded on Tuesday, December 10, the Légion d’Honneur (Grand Officier de la Ordre National de la Légion d’Honneur) one of the highest honors bestowed  by the Government of France. The ceremony, presided by France’s ambassador to Portugal, Jean-Francois Blarel, took place at the Museu da Fundação Serralves, in […]

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Posted in Arts&Culture, Awards, Featured, Film, Heritage, Organizations, People, Portugal, World

Book: ‘The True Story of Peter Francisco’ – By Sherry & Bobby Norfolk – Editor’s Note

10 December 2014

Was he Portuguese? Peter Francisco was believed to have had almost superhuman strength. According to legend, George Washington said, “Without him we would have lost two crucial battles, perhaps the war, and with it our freedom.” Francisco, kidnapped and abandoned by pirates at the age of five, was raised outside Richmond, and after hearing Patrick […]

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Posted in Azores, Books, Community, Featured, Heritage, People, Portugal

Travel Alert: TAP Air Portugal to stage general strike over the holiday season – Portugal

10 December 2014

The 12 labor unions representing the workers at TAP Air Portugal are deliberating to stage a four-day general strike over the festive period, between Christmas and New Year. If not averted, the strike will be held on December 27, 28, 29 and 30. Poor working conditions, and the government plans to privatizing TAP Air Portugal, […]

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Posted in Community, Organizations, People, Politics, Portugal, Travel, World

Poem: ‘Setting Out’ by George Monteiro

10 December 2014

An original poem by George Monteiro (*) Emily Dickinson was born on December 10, 1830. One of the most celebrated American poets, she died on May 15, 1886. Dickinson’s first Brazilian translator, the poet Manuel Bandeira, said that the high quality of Dickinson’s poetry was that she wrote “like a man.” He meant it as a […]

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

Petition: Workers at TAP Air Portugal opposing plans to privatize company – Portugal

06 December 2014

The national union of civil aviation workers [Sindicato National do Pessoal de Voo da Aviacão Civil], the largest union representing workers at TAP Air Portugal, submitted a petition to the Portuguese parliament opposing privatization of the public company. Demanding a national referendum, “as to whether the Portuguese citizenry agree with the privatization,” the petition stated […]

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Posted in Community, Featured, Heritage, Organizations, People, Politics, Portugal, Travel, World