Just in time for the holidays! The first Think & Drink program in December is The Surprising & Jolly History of Santa and Christmas Traditions in America.  This holiday program brings out the spirit of the season. From Dutch settlers’ tales of Sinterklaas to Coca-Cola ads, shopping malls, and holiday parades,  the Santa Claus we […]

From its humble beginnings in 1947, the wife of a Marine Reserve Major wanted todonate dolls to a charity that would distribute the toys to children in need. Sheconvinced her husband to create one. He looked to fellow Marine reservists to get thejob done. The project was a huge success and was officially adopted by the […]

All ESU members and Friends of ESU are invited to this holiday classic produced by KCRep. This production of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens is a blend of classic storytelling with lively and energetic performances by an all-star cast. For more than 40 years, Kansas City’s beloved tradition has created holiday memories for families […]

Humanitarian needs, global hunger, and forced displacement are all near record highs at the same time as governments cut aid budgets and support for the world’s most vulnerable. Learn about which crises and conflicts are at the top of the International Rescue Committee’s 2026 Emergency Watchlist, as well as the geopolitical trends driving them. Think […]

During World War I, Britain made numerous and often contradictory promises in the Middle East—including the Sykes–Picot Agreement, the Balfour Declaration, commitments to Arab leaders, and support for Wilson’s Fourteen Points—in an effort to secure allies. After the Ottoman Empire collapsed, Britain faced the challenge of reconciling these conflicting obligations. Winston Churchill, guided by T. […]

As the calendar turns to 2026, The English-Speaking Union of the United States begins a year-long celebration of 250 years of American independence. Throughout the year, ESU will feature several Happy Hours that give us an opportunity to pause and reflect on this historic milestone.The American Revolution was a war unlike any other—one of ideas […]

Is empathy about feeling someone’s pain — or understanding their perspective? Depends on who’s using it… and why. In this bold, no-holds-barred session, Dr. Nicole Price unpacks the two core types of empathy: affective empathy (feeling with others) and cognitive empathy— what hostage negotiators call tactical empathy (understanding others to influence outcomes). One connects hearts. […]

ESU members and guests are invited to a special lecture program hosted by the International Relations Council (IRC). This luncheon welcomes guest speaker Ambassador Christopher Hill (Ret.), a former career diplomat, a four-time ambassador, nominated by three presidents, whose last post was as ambassador to Iraq, April 2009 until August 2010. This program is part […]

Wednesday, February 11, 2026 • 4:00 PM ET Sponsored by the ESU Atlanta Branch 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 over the world and have been made into countless TV, […]

2026 National Shakespeare Competition Kansas City Branch Finals March 1,2026 • 2:00 – 4:00 pm CST Join us for our 42nd annual Shakespeare Competition in Kansas City as KC metro area high school students compete for First Place with the winner advancing to the National Finals in New York City in April 2026. Students perform […]