17
October 2016
Past Event
Thanksgiving: The Holiday at the Heart of the American Experience

Thanksgiving: The Holiday at the Heart of the American Experience

Past Event
Hudson Institute, Washington, D.C. Headquarters
October 17, 2016
17
October 2016
Past Event

1201 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Suite 400
Washington, DC 20004

Speakers:
melanie_kirkpatrick
Melanie Kirkpatrick

Senior Fellow

Kimberley Strassel

Columnist, The Wall Street Journal

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Drawing on newspaper accounts, private correspondence, historical documents, and cookbooks, Thanksgiving brings to life the full history of the holiday and what it has meant to generations of Americans.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__

Related Events
02
April 2026
Virtual Event | Online Only
After Maduro: Venezuela Three Months On
Featured Speakers:
Amb. James B. Story
Daniel Batlle
Getty Images
02
April 2026
Virtual Event | Online Only
After Maduro: Venezuela Three Months On

Join Hudson Institute for a discussion with former US Ambassador to Venezuela James Story to examine recent developments in Venezuela and assess the direction of Washington's strategy.

Getty Images
Featured Speakers:
Amb. James B. Story
Daniel Batlle
07
April 2026
In-Person Event | Invite Only
US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on the Future of Trade Policy
Featured Speakers:
Ambassador Jamieson Greer
Peter Rough
Getty Images
07
April 2026
In-Person Event | Invite Only
US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on the Future of Trade Policy

Please join Ambassador Greer for a fireside chat with Senior Fellow Peter Rough on the Trump administration’s first year back in office and what’s next for US trade policy.

Getty Images
Featured Speakers:
Ambassador Jamieson Greer
Peter Rough
07
April 2026
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
Protecting US Communications: Strengthening Supply Chains and Countering Foreign Risk
Featured Speakers:
Adam Chan
Hunter Deeley
Alice Jou
Zenji Nakazawa
Thomas Sullivan
Moderators:
David Feith
Michael Sobolik
Getty Images
07
April 2026
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
Protecting US Communications: Strengthening Supply Chains and Countering Foreign Risk

Experts and policymakers will discuss how to close regulatory gaps, improve compliance, and build more resilient and trusted infrastructure.

Getty Images
Featured Speakers:
Adam Chan
Hunter Deeley
Alice Jou
Zenji Nakazawa
Thomas Sullivan
Moderators:
David Feith
Michael Sobolik
09
April 2026
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
New Evidence of China’s Forced Organ Harvesting and a Proposed US Response
Featured Speakers:
Nina Shea
Congressman Chris Smith
Ethan Gutmann
Getty Images
09
April 2026
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
New Evidence of China’s Forced Organ Harvesting and a Proposed US Response

Join Nina Shea in a discussion with Ethan Gutmann and Congressman Chris Smith, the author of the Stop Forced Organ Harvesting bill. 

Getty Images
Featured Speakers:
Nina Shea
Congressman Chris Smith
Ethan Gutmann