Luso-Americano Way

The City of Newark honored the Luso-Americano publication in a ceremony on October 11 dedicating Union Street to the historic newspaper located in the Ironbound section.

The Luso-Americano was founded in May 1928 as a local Portuguese language newspaper. Its founders included a medical doctor, a university professor, two local merchants and a printer, Vasco de Sousa Jardim from Fall River, Massachusetts.

In 1928 Vasco Jardim brought his rotary printing press with him when he and his family moved from Fall River to Newark. He ran the newspaper operation from day one. During the 1930’s there was a brief interlude due to the Great Depression in the U.S.. In 1939 the Luso resumed publication in full force. Vasco Jardim retired in 1979 and Antonio Matinho took charge of the publication continuing in the position ever since.

Over the subsequent 96 years the Jardim and Matinho families, along with many dedicated staff members and correspondents from throughout the United States turned a local newspaper into a national publication becoming the longest running title in the history of the Portuguese-American press.

The newspaper is grateful for the efforts of East Ward Councilman Michael Silva and for remarks by Councilman Luis Quintana, Essex County Sheriff Armando Fontoura, Elizabeth Councilman-at-Large Manny Grova Jr. and Master of Ceremonies Ricky Durães.

Publisher Antonio Matinho in his remarks, thanked all the readers, subscribers, advertisers, and collaborators who have given their whole hearted friendship, loyalty and support to the Luso-Americano over the years.