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. […]

In Memoriam | The Portuguese nation mourns Pope Francis (1936-2025) – Portugal

23 April 2025

The Portuguese government declared a national day of mourning in honor of Pope Francis, following his death on April 21, expressing the nation’s respect and recognition of his contributions to global peace and social justice. The Portuguese government also declared three days of national mourning from April 24 to 26. During this period, flags across […]

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

Community | Rhode Island College to suspend Portuguese language courses – Providence,RI

22 April 2025

Rhode Island College (RIC) has announced it will suspend several academic programs, including the Portuguese concentration within the Modern Languages BA, beginning in Fall 2025, prompting community outcry.  Community advocates are calling on RIC leadership to reverse course and engage meaningfully with students, faculty, and stakeholders. The decision, outlined in RIC’s recently released Productivity and […]

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Posted in Azores, Community, Education, Featured, Heritage, Madeira, Organizations, People, Portugal

Book | Sorrowful Mysteries: The Shepherd Children of Fatima and the Fate of the Twentieth Century | By Stephen Harrigan – Editor’s Note

18 April 2025

In 1917, in Fatima, Portugal, three shepherd children claimed that the Virgin Mary appeared before them and spoke the words, “Do not be afraid.” Stephen Harrigan first heard the story of Our Lady of Fatima when he was a young boy attending a Catholic school in Texas in the 1950s, struggling to come to grips […]

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Posted in Books, Featured, Heritage, People, Portugal, Religion

Azores | Potential closure of US Consulate in Ponta Delgada raises concerns – Portugal

18 April 2025

As of April 18, 2025, the U.S. Consulate in Ponta Delgada, Azores, is among 17 consulates slated for potential closure under a cost-cutting initiative by the Trump administration.  However, the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stated that it has received no formal notification from US authorities regarding the closure.  “There is no indication to […]

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Posted in Azores, Community, Featured, Portugal, Travel

Trade & Tariffs | The US has stopped orders for Portuguese wines – Portugal

14 April 2025

The president of the National Association of Wine and Spirits Traders and Exporters (ANCEVE), Paulo Amorim, said today that “the US has stopped orders for Portuguese wines and wines from Europe” in the context of the tariffs announced by the President of the United States. Amorim fears that, if the tariffs are implemented, “the majority […]

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

Diplomacy | Higher education institutions and companies asked to comply with U.S. DEI policies – Portugal

13 April 2025

In recent developments, the US government has intensified scrutiny of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs, affecting both domestic and international institutions. This includes both Portuguese higher education institutions (HEIs) and Portuguese companies with contracts with the US government.​ It has been reported that the US administration has issued directives requiring such organizations to certify […]

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