Portuguese American Journal

Portuguese American Journal

Featured Stories
Faith May 5th | World Portuguese Language Day Celebrated Globally 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
 

Faith & Tradition | Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres returns May 8 – Azores

The Feast of Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres returns to the city of Ponta Delgada from May 8 to May 14, 2026, with the main procession scheduled for Sunday, May 10, the fifth Sunday after Easter. Considered the largest religious celebration in the Azores and among the most significant Catholic festivities in Portugal, the celebrations […]

May 5th | World Portuguese Language Day Celebrated Globally – Portugal 

World Portuguese Language Day [Dia Mundial da Língua Portuguesa] is being celebrated today across the globe, recognizing the cultural, historical, and geopolitical importance of one of the world’s most widely spoken languages.  The day is celebrated by cultural and academic initiatives in approximately 50 countries, including conferences, literary events, exhibitions, and educational programs, from Lisbon […]

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 […]

Update | Extreme weather events continue battering the country nationwide – Portugal 

07 February 2026

Since late January, Portugal has confronted the cumulative impact of three successive Atlantic winter storms, which have caused fatalities, infrastructure destruction, flooding, and emergency response operations across the mainland, including Madeira and the Azores regions.  Over the weekend, a third storm front, named Marta, developed across the municipalities of Leiria, Coimbra, Santarém, and Lisbon districts, […]

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Posted in Azores, Featured, Madeira, Portugal, World

Community | Camões Institute promotes Portuguese language teaching – California

05 February 2026

On February 3, 2026, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Camões — Institute for Cooperation and Language, I.P. and the California Department of Education (CDE) during a ceremony held at the Office of the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, located on the 5th floor of 1430 N Street in Sacramento, California. The Consul […]

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

Honor | President José Bolieiro awarded the Peter Benchley Ocean Award – Monterey, CA

05 February 2026

José Manuel Bolieiro, President of the Regional Government of the Azores, has been honored with the prestigious Peter Benchley Ocean Award, recognizing his leadership and commitment to ocean conservation, sustainable marine governance, and the protection of Atlantic ecosystems. Bolieiro is scheduled to formally accept the distinction, often referred to as the “Oscars of the Ocean,” […]

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

Book | Representing the Middle Ages in Modern Portugal (1890–1947) | By Pedro Martins – Editor’s Note

03 February 2026

What role did the Middle Ages play in the construction of Portuguese national identity in the modern age? Which medieval ideas, themes, objects, buildings, events, and figures contributed to this process? How did Portuguese intellectuals, artists, and politicians from the late-nineteenth century to the mid-twentieth century narrate, rework, and commemorate them? These are some of […]

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

Update | New deadly storm threatens the country nationwide – Portugal

03 February 2026

As Portugal recovers from widespread devastation caused by Storm Kristin, authorities warn that a new severe storm system is expected to affect large portions of the country this week, significantly increasing the risk of renewed flooding, landslides, and infrastructure damage. The Portuguese Institute of the Sea and the Atmosphere (IPMA) expects the new storm, named […]

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Posted in Azores, Featured, Madeira, Portugal, World

Community | Guitarist Nuno Bettencourt wins Grammy Award – Los Angeles, CA

02 February 2026

Guitarist Nuno Bettencourt was among the winners at this year’s Grammy Awards ceremony in Los Angeles, marking another major milestone in his celebrated international career.  He won the Grammy in the category of Best Rock Performance for his participation in ‘Changes (Live from Villa Park)’. The show took place in Birmingham, UK, in 2025, at […]

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Posted in Arts&Culture, Azores, Community, Featured, Heritage, Music, People, Portugal, Terceira, World