BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//ESU - ECPv6.17.3//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-WR-CALNAME:ESU X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://www.esuus.org X-WR-CALDESC:Events for ESU REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/New_York BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20250309T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20251102T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20260308T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20261101T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20270314T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20271107T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20280312T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20281105T060000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260923T160000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260923T170000 DTSTAMP:20260801T195902Z CREATED:20260728T152623Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260801T195902Z UID:11460-1790179200-1790182800@www.esuus.org SUMMARY:Happy Hour: Becoming American: Philadelphia's Story DESCRIPTION:Philadelphia\, PA.\, America’s first capital\, held a pivotal role as the cradle of American democracy. When George Washington took the oath of office in 1789\, Philadelphia had the largest free and literate community of Africans in the entire British Atlantic. This community raised families\, built institutions\, created opportunities for self-emancipated Africans to continue north\, fought for equal rights\, and they participated in public life. They exemplified the ideals of the new republic. Oliver St. Clair Franklin is the creator and co-executive producer of a feature length documentary of our Founding Era through the lens of the Black Philadelphia community of that time. Franklin’s documentary\, Becoming American: Philadelphia’s Story\, explores how diverse groups that included European colonists\, Native Americans\, free Black communities\, and enslaved Africans lived and worked side-by-side to shape the new United States. Join this ESU Happy Hour as Oliver Franklin describes his film as a shared national and international historical record that explains how America came to be\, how it expanded\, and how its founding ideals continue to resonate today. This Happy Hour is sponsored by the ESU Philadelphia Branch. ESU Happy Hour programs are online\, free\, and open to all members and the public. Registration is required to receive the webinar link. \n\n\n\nREGISTER HERE About Oliver St. Clair Franklin\, CBE \n\n\n\nOliver St. Clair Franklin curated one of the first Black Film Festivals in the US (1972-78) and then produced documentary films. He became the first Deputy City Representative for Arts and Culture for the City of Philadelphia (1984-90). After his municipal role\, Oliver became an executive at several financial services firms specializing in institutional investments and was Co-Managing Partner of the first US mutual fund to invest in The Republic of South Africa. He has served on many civic and cultural institutions including the National Endowment for the Arts\, the Pennsylvania Humanities Council\, The Philadelphia Foundation\, and The Independence Historic Trust. He also served as the Honorary British Consul in Philadelphia and received the OBE and CBE honors from the late monarch. A Baltimore native\, Oliver is a graduate of Lincoln University (Pa) and Oxford University. He is also a Hon. Fellow of Balliol College\, Oxford.  Cocktail: The Founders’ Toast A simple bourbon-based cocktail tying to colonial/early American roots:-2 oz bourbon-3/4 oz fresh lemon juice-1/2 oz honey syrup (equal parts honey + warm water\, stirred)-Top with a splash of ginger beer-Garnish: lemon twist or mint sprigShake bourbon\, lemon\, honey syrup with ice; strain into a glass with fresh ice; top with ginger beer. Non-alcoholic version: swap bourbon for apple cider\, same lemon/honey/ginger beer combo.  URL:https://www.esuus.org/event/happy-hour-becoming-american-philadelphias-story/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.esuus.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/9-16-26-hh.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261007T160000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261007T170000 DTSTAMP:20260728T154010Z CREATED:20260728T153927Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260728T154010Z UID:11465-1791388800-1791392400@www.esuus.org SUMMARY:Happy Hour: Daniel Boone: The First Kentuckian DESCRIPTION:Daniel Boone (1734-1820) was an American pioneer\, trailblazer\, outdoorsman\, revolutionary\, and adventurer whose frontier exploits made him one of the first folk heroes of the United States. The story of the early settlement of Kentucky is well documented\, and Daniel Boone is most famous for his exploration and settlement of what is now the U.S. state of Kentucky\, which was then beyond the western borders of the Thirteen Colonies. \n\n\n\nThere is a difference between the myth and the man who actually existed. Daniel Boone lived an extraordinary life—even if he didn’t wear a coonskin cap! Boone was celebrated in his own lifetime especially after stories of his adventures were published in 1784\, making him famous both in America and Europe. \n\n\n\nThis ESU Happy Hour welcomes acclaimed actor\, Kevin Hardesty\, who has created a one-man play “Daniel Boone: The First Kentuckian.” Hardesty brings the famous frontiersman to life as he portrays Boone as a man who established himself as an accomplished hunter and explorer in Kentucky. We will see Hardesty live\, in-person\, as well as watch some recorded segments from his one-man play. \n\n\n\nAs ESU continues to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary\, it is noteworthy that Daniel Boone moved to Kentucky and established a settlement just over 250 years ago in 1774. \n\n\n\nJoin us for this special ESU Happy Hour sponsored by the ESU Kentucky Branch. ESU Happy Hour programs are online\, free\, and open to all members and the public. Registration is required to receive the webinar link. \n\n\n\nREGISTER HERE \n\n\n\nAbout Kevin Hardesty \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nHardesty received a B.F.A in acting/theatre from the University of Kentucky in 1986\, and has since performed in theatre\, film\, and television\, including prominent roles in Biloxi Blues\, Hamlet\, Macbeth\, and Romeo and Juliet and leading roles in Of Mice and Men and A Streetcar Named Desire. Film and TV credits include co-starring roles in Not to Forget\, Heathers\, Happy Together\, 100 Proof\, The Cavanaughs\, TV 101\, and Family of Spies. Kevin also appeared with Ashley Judd in the Arthur Miller teleplay Interview with Ryan for PBS. He has been an actor\, writer\, and director for more than 20 years. URL:https://www.esuus.org/event/happy-hour-daniel-boone-the-first-kentuckian/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.esuus.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/10-7-26-hh.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261010T113000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261010T130000 DTSTAMP:20260917T175148Z CREATED:20260917T175146Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260917T175148Z UID:11820-1791631800-1791637200@www.esuus.org SUMMARY:Shakespeare in Action - Teaching Through Performance DESCRIPTION:In this interactive session\, held at ESU Headquarters in NYC and online via Zoom\, Natasha will share practical strategies for bringing Shakespeare to life in your classroom. Teachers will explore exercises for working with Shakespeare’s text\, adapting scenes\, and helping students build confidence through performance. Participants will also have the opportunity to take part in fun and engaging exercises that can be used with their students. \n\n\n\nThe workshop will also explore how a Student Shakespeare Festival can be an exciting school wide activity that brings classroom learning together. Through short scenes and ensemble work\, students can rehearse\, perform\, and create together\, giving everyone a meaningful role while building toward a shared festival experience. \n\n\n\nWe’ll also discuss ways to incorporate the ESU National Shakespeare Competition into your curriculum\, giving students an opportunity to take their work beyond the classroom and onto the stage. \n\n\n\nEducators attending in person will also be treated to a light brunch and have an opportunity to connect with fellow NYC teachers\, ESU staff and members\, and learn more about upcoming ESU education programs. \n\n\n\nWhether you’re new to teaching Shakespeare through performance or looking for fresh approaches to engage your students\, we hope you’ll join us! \n\n\n\nPlease register here to let us know whether you’ll be attending in person or via Zoom (a link to join the workshop online will be sent several days prior to the event). \n\n\n\nREGISTER HERE URL:https://www.esuus.org/event/shakespeare-in-action-teaching-through-performance/ LOCATION:English-Speaking Union Headquarters & Via Zoom ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.esuus.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/natasha-photo-1-e1789667324802.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261104T170000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261104T180000 DTSTAMP:20260824T164409Z CREATED:20260824T164409Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260824T164409Z UID:11591-1793811600-1793815200@www.esuus.org SUMMARY:Happy Hour: Virginia's Role: From English Rights to American Constitutions DESCRIPTION:Today our ESU Happy Hour takes us on a journey through the pivotal events that shaped America 250 years ago\, this time in the great state of Virginia\, where revolutionary ideas became constitutional action. On May 15\, 1776\, at the Fifth Virginia Convention in Williamsburg\, delegates in Philadelphia proposed to transition Virginia from a British colony into an independent commonwealth\, to establish a new state government\, and urged the Continental Congress to declare full national independence from Great Britain. \n\n\n\nTheir work produced the Virginia Declaration of Rights—one of the most important documents in American history. It was a landmark statement of liberty and limited government and laid out the basic rights and freedoms that all people should have and set limits on what the government could do. The Virginia Declaration of Rights also influenced other state bills of rights\, the U.S. Bill of Rights\, the U.S. Declaration of Independence\, and France’s Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen. \n\n\n\nJoin us for a lively step back into this revolutionary moment with Professor A.E. Dick Howard\, who will present “From English Rights to American Constitutions: Americans Transcribe Their Values and Aspirations in State Constitutions.” This special ESU Happy Hour is sponsored by the ESU Charlottesville\, VA Branch. The program is online\, free\, and open to ESU members and the public. Registration is required to receive the webinar link. \n\n\n\nREGISTER HERE \n\n\n\nAbout A.E. Dick Howard \n\n\n\n \n\n\n\nA.E. Dick Howard is the White Burkett Miller Professor of Law and Public Affairs Emeritus at the University of Virginia. He was a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford University and served as a law clerk to Justice Hugo L. Black\, at the Supreme Court of the United States. He has written prolifically on a range of historical and constitutional subjects\, including The Road from Runnymede: Magna Carta and Constitutionalism in America. \n\n\n\nActive in public affairs\, Professor Howard was the chief architect of the Constitution of Virginia. He has compared notes with constitution-makers in various foreign countries\, including post-communist Central and Eastern Europe. Seven universities have conferred on him an honorary degree of Doctor of Laws. Washington magazine has called Professor Howard “one of the most respected educators in the nation.”  In 2015\, Virginia’s General Assembly named Professor Howard as that year’s “Outstanding Virginian.” \n\n\n\nCocktail \n\n\n\nAs we are marking the 250th anniversary of Independence\, it would be fitting to recall the imbibing preferences of Thomas Jefferson. When he was our minister to Paris\, Jefferson acquired a taste for French and Italian wine. He explored the vineyards of Burgundy and Bordeaux\, hoping to replicate European viniculture in America. I propose a white burgundy for the occasion. URL:https://www.esuus.org/event/happy-hour-virginias-role-from-english-rights-to-american-constitutions/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.esuus.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/11-4-26-hh.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261209T170000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261209T180000 DTSTAMP:20260825T145613Z CREATED:20260825T145609Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260825T145613Z UID:11636-1796835600-1796839200@www.esuus.org SUMMARY:Happy Hour: The Surprising History of Santa and Christmas Traditions in America DESCRIPTION:Christmas in America has a much richer and stranger history than the cozy images we know today. This festive ESU Happy Hour explores why early New Englanders outlawed Christmas\, how rowdy wassailing gangs once filled the streets\, and how German\, Dutch\, and English traditions eventually blended into the modern Santa. We’ll trace the journey from medieval St. Nicholas and Alpine mischief-makers to Thomas Nast’s German-American illustrations\, the Civil War era’s sentimental reinvention of the holiday\, and the 20th-century rise of Rudolph\, department-store Santas\, Coca-Cola branding\, and iconic Christmas foods. With a pint in hand\, you’ll learn how a mix of immigrant customs\, reform movements\, and cultural trends brought today’s version of American Christmas into being. Join us as Erica Benson brings a story-packed journey tracing how America invented its own version of Santa and reshaped Christmas into the celebration we recognize today. The ESU Kansas City Branch sponsors this special ESU Happy Hour. The program is online\, free\, and open to ESU members and the public. Registration is required to receive the webinar link. \n\n\n\nREGISTER HERE About Erica Benson: \n\n\n\nErica Benson\, founder of Third Place Historian\, is a seasoned historian and educator with over a decade of experience teaching U.S. history at the college level. She holds multiple degrees in history\, including a master’s degree in North American history\, and brings a deep scholarly background to her work in both academic and public history. A recipient of the prestigious James Madison Congressional Fellowship\, Erica has participated in numerous elite history seminars and institutes\, continually advancing her expertise in American political and social history. Her commitment to historical education extends beyond the classrooms. She is a contributing writer for the National Women’s History Museum and an advocate for gender equality issues and the Equal Rights Amendment. Erica’s work is grounded in a passion for making history accessible\, engaging\, and relevant. Her lectures are known for combining rigorous scholarship with compelling storytelling\, offering fresh insights into the complexities of the American past. Cocktail: EggnogEggnog evolved from posset\, a warm medieval British drink made of milk\, ale\, and eggs. Aristocrats drank it with expensive sherry\, while colonists in America substituted cheap rum. By 1775\, the name “eggnog” appeared\, transforming into a popular holiday tradition and even sparking a famous 1826 military academy riot. Ingredients:4 egg yolks1/3 cup sugar\, plus 1 tablespoon1 pint whole milk1 cup heavy cream1 1/4 ounces bourbon1 1/4 ounces dark rum1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg4 egg whites Directions:-In the bowl of a stand mixer beat together the egg yolks and 1/3 cup sugar until the yolks lighten in color and the sugar is completely dissolved. Add the milk\, cream\, bourbon\, rum\, and nutmeg and stir to combine.-Place the egg whites in the bowl of a stand mixer and beat to soft peaks. With the mixer still running\, gradually add one tablespoon of sugar and beat until stiff peaks form. Gently fold the egg whites into the mixture. Yields six cups. Chill and serve. URL:https://www.esuus.org/event/happy-hour-the-surprising-history-of-santa-and-christmas-traditions-in-america/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.esuus.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/12-9-26-hh.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20270106T170000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20270106T180000 DTSTAMP:20260923T160630Z CREATED:20260923T155417Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260923T160630Z UID:11843-1799254800-1799258400@www.esuus.org SUMMARY:Happy Hour: Murder and the Manor House DESCRIPTION:January 6\, 2027\, 5 PM ET\, Sponsored by the ESU Charlottesville\, VA Branch \n\n\n\nDo you love a good mystery? For five decades\, Agatha Christie’s primary obsession was murder\, but her interest in houses was a close second\, particularly the English country house. Taken together\, some of her most popular works offer a keen look at the changing fortunes of English country houses in the 20th century. Beloved by readers worldwide\, Agatha Christie (1890-1976) is the best-selling novelist of all time. Her books have sold over a billion copies in the English language and a billion in translation. \n\n\n\nJoin Anne Kenny-Urban for an exploration of what Christie’s mysteries reveal about changes in the houses themselves and the people – both upstairs and downstairs – who lived and worked in them. This ESU Happy Hour is sponsored by the ESU Charlottesville\, VA Branch. The program is online\, free\, and open to ESU members and the public. Registration is required to receive the webinar link. \n\n\n\nREGISTER HERE \n\n\n\nAbout Anne Kenny-Urban \n\n\n\nAnne Kenny-Urban is the Executive Director at Agecroft Hall & Gardens\, a Tudor manor house that was built in Lancashire in the 16th century and then dismantled\, crated\, shipped and adaptively rebuilt in Richmond\, Virgina in the 1920s. Previously\, she worked for the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts for nearly a decade. Prior employers include Citibank\, Christie’s auction house in New York\, and the Art Institute of Chicago. \n\n\n\nMs. Kenny-Urban is a graduate of Princeton University. In addition\, she holds a master’s degree in art history from the University of Chicago and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. In her free time\, she is an active community volunteer. Currently she serves as the President of the American Friends of Attingham which supports the work of The Attingham Trust\, a British educational charitable trust that organizes specialized courses to study British country houses\, their collections and settings\, and the history and contents of British royal palaces. She also serves on the boards of The Valentine Museum\, Hollywood Cemetery and the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart Foundation for Historic Preservation. \n\n\n\nCocktailCorpse Reviver #2:What could be more appropriate to go with an Agatha Christie murder mystery? The cocktail was created by Harry Craddock\, an American bartender who worked at the famous American Bar inside London’s Savoy Hotel during Prohibition. It’s a classic drink that belongs to a family of pre-Prohibition cocktails that were said to be created and consumed for the chief purpose of rousing the drinker from the dead—in other words\, meant to cure hangovers\, increase vigor and otherwise improve one’s morning. Ingredients3/4 oz London Dry Gin3/4 oz Fortified wine such as Lillet Blanc or Cocchi Americano3/4 oz Orange liqueur such as Cointreau or triple sec3/4 oz Freshly squeezed lemon juice1 dash (or rinse) AbsintheLemon twist for garnish \n\n\n\nInstructionsPrepare the glass: Rinse a chilled coupe or cocktail glass with a small splash of absinthe\, swirling it to coat the inside\, then discard any excess.Combine ingredients: Add the gin\, Lillet Blanc\, orange liqueur\, and lemon juice into a cocktail shaker filled with ice.Shake: Shake vigorously for about 10 to 15 seconds until well-chilled.Strain: Fine-strain the mixture into your prepared absinthe-rinsed glass.Garnish: Add a lemon twist on top.  URL:https://www.esuus.org/event/happy-hour-murder-and-the-manor-house/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.esuus.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/1-6-27-hh.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20271026T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20271104T235959 DTSTAMP:20260923T182107Z CREATED:20260923T181704Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260923T182107Z UID:11853-1824508800-1825372799@www.esuus.org SUMMARY:2027 National Patron Tour: Nelson and the Battle of Trafalgar DESCRIPTION:2027 National Patron Tour\nNelson and the Battle of Trafalgar:\nFrom Final Chapter to Immortal Memory\nWith Author and Lecturer Flora Fraser \nOctober 26 – November 4\, 2027\nPalma de Mallorca\, Spain – Casablanca\, Morocco\nAboard the Sea Cloud Spirit \nSet sail on an extraordinary journey through history aboard the magnificent Sea Cloud Spirit\, retracing the footsteps of one of Britain’s greatest naval heroes\, Admiral Horatio Nelson. This exclusive voyage\, co-hosted by the English-Speaking Union and Sea Cloud Cruises\, offers a unique blend of luxury\, adventure\, and intellectual stimulation. \nBy day\, explore picturesque ports and historic sites central to Nelson’s career and private life. By night\, dine under the stars and engage in stimulating conversation with fellow history and adventure enthusiasts. \nHighlights:\nSail from Palma de Mallorca\, Spain\, to Casablanca\, Morocco\, on board Sea Cloud Spirit\, ranked among the best luxury passenger ships in the world. This three-mast windjammer’s 28 sails are hoisted by hand for an authentic sailing experience.Enjoy lectures about Admiral Lord Nelson’s final battle by renowned biographer Flora Fraser.\nVisit key locations in Nelson’s Mediterranean campaigns.\nVisit the ports of Ibiza\, Valencia\, Cartagena\, Málaga\, and Cadiz\, before landing in Casablanca.\nExperience the thrill of sailing on a tall ship in Nelson’s wake.\nIndulge in luxurious accommodations and gourmet cuisine. \nAbout the ESU National Patron Tours: \nThe ESU National Patron Tours enhance our Patrons’ engagement with the ESU community through bespoke experiences of cultural enrichment\, educational exploration\, and unforgettable adventures. \n  \n \n \n \n\n \n Register Online\n Participant Agreement\n PDF Registration Form \n \n \n \n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n  URL:https://www.esuus.org/event/2027-national-patron-tour/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.esuus.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/seacloud.jpg END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR