Portuguese American Journal

Portuguese American Journal

Featured Stories
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 Space | Portugal launches satellites honoring national literary figures
 

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. […]

Space | Portugal launches satellites honoring national literary figures – Santa Barbara, CA

Portugal successfully launched six satellites aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, US. The mission reinforces Portugal’s growing role in the global space economy, while also strengthening strategic, scientific, and economic links across the Atlantic. Among the satellites are four named after some of the nation’s most celebrated literary figures […]

Community | Boston Portuguese Festival Canceled for 2026 – Boston, MA

04 March 2026

The organizers of the Boston Portuguese Festival have confirmed that the event will not take place in 2026, suspending one of New England’s prominent celebrations of Portuguese-American heritage.  Organizers said the festival, which takes place at Boston’s City Hall Plaza every June during Portuguese-American Heritage Month, would not be returning this year. “This festival is […]

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Posted in Community, Entertainment, Featured, Heritage, World

Community | FBI raids Superintendent Alberto Carvalho’s home and office – Los Angeles, CA

26 February 2026

Federal authorities have executed search warrants at the residence and district office of Alberto Carvalho, Superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), as part of an ongoing investigation led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). According to federal officials, agents carried out “court-authorized search warrants” at Carvalho’s home in the San Pedro […]

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

Community | Diaspora mobilizes to join storm relief effort – Portugal

21 February 2026

The Portuguese American communities across the United States are mobilizing in solidarity with families and municipalities in Portugal, affected by a succession of severe rainstorms that have caused fatalities, widespread flooding, infrastructure damage, and displacement across several regions.  Relief authorities in Portugal report significant impacts on housing, local businesses, agriculture, and public infrastructure, underscoring the […]

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Posted in Community, Featured, Portugal, World

Teolinda Gersão | Narrative talent transcending literary boundaries – Interview

18 February 2026

By Maria Duran On the 29th of October, 2025, Portuguese writer Teolinda Gersão became a second-time winner of the APE-DGLAB Romance and Novel Grand Prize. Autobiografia não escrita de Martha Freud (2024), [The Unwritten Autobiography of Martha Freud], published by Porto Editora, earned her the 43rd edition of the award, organized by the Portuguese Writers […]

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

Social Media | Parliament proposes bill requiring parental consent for minors – Portugal

12 February 2026

Portugal’s parliament has approved legislation that would restrict minors’ access to social media platforms by requiring parental authorization for users under the age of 16, making it one of Europe’s most concrete legislative steps toward regulating youth activity online. The proposal, introduced by the Social Democratic Party (PSD), mandates explicit, verified parental consent for minors […]

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Posted in Education, Featured, Portugal, Social networks, World

Update | Persistent severe downpouring forces evacuations – Portugal

12 February 2026

Heavy and persistent rainfall continues to affect mainland Portugal as successive Atlantic systems prolong saturated ground conditions and heighten flood risk across several regions, forcing evacuations. Prime Minister Luís Montenegro described the extreme weather episodes as a “devastating crisis” affecting communities across the country while emphasizing that emergency coordination and recovery efforts continue nationwide. Mário […]

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Posted in Azores, Featured, Madeira, Portugal