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President Donald Trump pose with NATO heads of state and government at the Hague on June 25, 2025. (Getty Images)
On October 17, Hudson Institute hosted a book discussion with Senior Fellow Melanie Kirkpatrick and Kimberley Strassel on Kirkpatrick's latest book, Thanksgiving: The Holiday at the Heart of the American Experience
Drawing on newspaper accounts, private correspondence, historical documents, and cookbooks, Thanksgiving brings to life the full history of the holiday and what it has meant to generations of Americans. While the rites and rituals of the holiday have evolved over the centuries, its essence remains the same: family and friends feasting together in a spirit of gratitude to God, neighborliness, and hospitality. We thank those who joined us for a discussion of Kirkpatrick's enlightening new book and the importance of America's oldest tradition.
“A short, beautiful history of our oldest national custom.” — Amity Shlaes
__“Melanie Kirkpatrick shows brilliantly how from cooking pot to melting pot, America is a product of Thanksgiving as much as Thanksgiving is a product of America.” — Andrew Roberts__
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