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. […]

Book | Portugal – Culture Smart | by Sandy Pinto Basto – Editor’s Note

23 March 2023

Legend has it that when Caesar’s general arrived on Portuguese soil in the first century CE, he claimed to have discovered a country blessed with a mild climate and a beautiful coastline, but whose inhabitants were ungoverned and ungovernable. Today, the Portuguese are still impulsive, set in their ways, and resistant to change, yet they […]

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

Appointed: Officer Peter Moreira to be Police Chief of Durban – Ontario, Canada

20 March 2023

Portuguese Canadian, Peter Moreira, was appointed Police Chief of the Police Force of the Durham region, east of Toronto, in southern Ontario, Canada. The son of emigrants from São Miguel, he was born in Canada. He is the first Police Chief of Portuguese descent to take the post. A former superintendent of the Toronto Police, […]

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Posted in Azores, Community, Featured, Heritage, People, São Miguel, World

Community | Rhode Island Senate honors former  President Teresa Paiva Weed – Providence, RI

20 March 2023

The Rhode Island Senate has approved legislation to rename the Community College of Rhode Island’s Newport campus in honor of former Senate President Maria Teresa Paiva Weed, a trailblazing Portuguese-American public servant and longtime advocate for higher education. Paiva Weed, the granddaughter of Azorean immigrants, is the daughter of Arthur J. and Marie Paiva. First […]

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

Opinion | Madeleine McCann mystery and madness |- By Len Port

20 March 2023

There have been a great many reported sightings of Madeleine McCann since her disappearance in 2007, but the claim by a young woman that she is probably Madeleine is getting enormous media coverage worldwide and prompting yet more bizarre speculation. The latest claim could be proven in the coming days or weeks, though it seems […]

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Posted in Featured, People, Portugal, World

Book | Africa’s Gold Coast Through Portuguese Sources 1469-1680 | by Kwasi Konadu – Editor’s Note

19 March 2023

The Portuguese produced the earliest records for regions in West Africa, none more important than the Gold Coast. This edited volume provides a unique collection of sources written in Portuguese, Latin, Italian, French, and Spanish for Africa’s Gold Coast, from the late 15th to 17th century. Students, scholars, and professionals with an avid interest in […]

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

Community: Ambassador Francisco Duarte Lopes honors Portugal – Washington, D.C.

19 March 2023

By Naseer Ahmad Portugal has enjoyed friendly relations, which has stood the test of times, with United States. So, it is natural for Portugal to send the country’s best diplomats to Washington DC. H.E. Ambassador Francisco Duarte Lopes is one of the ablest diplomats to represent Portugal at a critical time in history. In accepting […]

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Posted in Arts&Culture, Community, Featured, Portugal