The newspaper had a difficult start. The market for a Portuguese newspaper was weak. According to the Census of 1930, there were only 6,209 Portuguese and Luso-Americans in New Jersey, of which 4,411 were born in Portugal. During that same period the American economy was beginning to show symptoms of the great depression which occurred from 1929-31.

In December of 1939, the newspaper was revitalized under the direction of Vasco Jardim, an immigrant from Madeira, who initiated the weekly publication that exists today.

Currently, the "Luso-Americano" is the only means of social communication amongst the Portuguese communities nationally, with a circulation in all the states with a Portuguese presence.

In 1988, the weekly newspaper began publication bi-weekly on Wednesdays and Fridays. The Wednesday edition, traditionally more voluminous, consists of approximately 64-72 pages, while the Friday edition consists of approximately 48-56 pages.

The "Luso-Americano" has on staff 7 full time journalists, various collaborators and dozens of correspondents, currently under the leadership of Director and Editor-in-Chief Antonio Matinho, and Senior News Editor Fernando dos Santos.

The "Luso-Americano" is published at 88 Ferry Street, Newark, N.J.