The English-Speaking Union Celebrates 100 Years in Kansas City
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KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Californer -- 2020 is a historic milestone for The English-Speaking Union. Both the U.S. headquarters in New York City and the Kansas City Branch were founded in 1920. We are excited to celebrate our 100^th birthday throughout 2020 and our first program pays tribute to Lt. Col. Marvin H. Gates who founded the Kansas City Branch of the ESU in 1920 and was our first Branch president.

Join fellow ESU members and guests on Sunday, January 19, 2020 at 12 noon and learn how this distinguished World War I officer learned about the ESU and had a passion to expand ESU's mission to Kansas City.

Our special guest speaker is Dr. Jon Taylor, professor of history at the University of Central Missouri, where he teaches courses in American history. He is a scholar on Harry Truman and  has written four books on the life, political career, and legacy of Truman. He is currently working on a book about the significance of Truman's Senate career.

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Dr. Taylor's lecture focuses on Truman's military service in World War I which was a turning point in his life and later political career. Taylor examines Truman's decision to enter military service in 1917, tracks his command of the 129th field artillery as it traversed the fields of France during the war, and assesses the significance of his military service on his political career. We will learn the role Lt. Col. Marvin H. Gates played during Truman's military service in France.

Our program will also include our First Place Shakespeare Competition winner, Matthew Grigoratos, a Junior at Blue Valley High School, performing his Shakespeare monologue and Sonnet.

When: Sunday, January 19, 2020, 12 noon. Please arrive by 11:45 for seating

Where: Grand Street Café, 4740 Grand Avenue, Kansas City, Mo.

Price: $38.00 per person all-inclusive including gratuity

Please click here to pay online. https://bit.ly/2ZXsizZ

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Please make your reservations no later than January 13, 2020, or earlier, if possible so we have a good count for the restaurant.

About the ESU
The English-Speaking Union of the United States is a non-profit, non-political, educational organization whose mission is to celebrate English as a shared language to foster global understanding and good will by providing educational and cultural opportunities for students, teachers and its members. Headquartered in New York City, the ESU implements programs through a network of 65 Branches across the United States.  For more information about the ESU Kansas City Branch, go to www.esuus.org/kansascity. Also follow the ESU at www.facebook.com/esukansascity.