• Happy Hour: Jane Austen and You

    After 250 years, why are Jane Austen's novels still so popular?Jane Austen (1775-1817) is one of the most famous writers in English literature. Her books are read by people all […]

  • Happy Hour: Churchill’s D-Day

    Wednesday, March 25, 2026 • 4:00 PM ET. Sponsored by ESU Central PA Branch. Operation Overlord was the code name for the Allied invasion of Nazi-occupied Western Europe during World […]

  • Happy Hour: Adelaide Robineau: Breaking the Porcelain Ceiling

    Adelaide Alsop Robineau, (1865-1929) is considered one of America’s preeminent studio potters. She began her ceramics career as a china painter, painting designs on porcelain blanks produced by other craftsmen. […]

  • 2026 Annual General Meeting

    The English-Speaking Union welcomes its members to NYC for the 2026 ESU Annual Conference on April 24th-25th,2026. The conference, under the theme “United by Language, Inspired by Liberty.” The conference program will include the ESU 2026 Annual General Meeting, social events such as receptions and meals, breakout sessions, panel discussions, and local tours. We invite you to participate in the camaraderie and help us advance our programs that support teachers, students, and recent immigrants. 

    $650
  • 2026 ESU National Shakespeare Competition Weekend

    The ESU National Shakespeare Competition returns to New York City for an unforgettable weekend of fun, education, and performance. From Saturday, April 25 to Monday, April 27, students, parents, teachers, […]

  • Happy Hour: Halifax Resolves

    During the 250th Anniversary of the birth of our nation, many focus on the colonial activities centering around New England. A little-known event occurred in North Carolina in the little village of Halifax that helped turn the tide and create our nation. The Halifax Resolves and the three North Carolina Delegates that attended the Second Congressional Congress were the catalysts that brought us to the founding of the United States of America.

  • Happy Hour: The Loyalist and the Patriot

    Step into a gripping dialogue with acclaimed prize-winning historical biographer Flora Fraser and Doug Bradburn, President and CEO of George Washington’s Mount Vernon, as they reexamine the American Revolution through a provocative lens. This conversation challenges the familiar narrative of unity and independence. It reveals a nation divided—neighbors, friends, even families torn apart by opposing allegiances. Was this truly a revolution, or America’s first civil war? Through vivid storytelling and historical insight, Fraser and Bradburn explore the deeply personal conflicts between those who risked everything for independence and those who remained steadfastly loyal to the British Crown.