Thanksgiving in De Pieterskerk

November 22, 2018 – Some of the Pilgrims left Leiden in the Netherlands for their long and fateful trip to the New World in 1620. Many of them worshipped at the Pieterskerk in Leiden. Some of the traditions of a Thanksgiving feast are said to have come with the Pilgrims from the Netherlands, perhaps learned …

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Celebrating the power of exchanges

At two events this week, Ambassador Pete Hoekstra celebrated the U.S. Department of State’s exchange programs with alumni who participated as long ago as the 1970s to as recently as earlier this year. From Fulbright to the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), and from the Benjamin Franklin Transatlantic Fellowship (BFTF) to Women2Women (W2W), the Transatlantic …

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Cultural Corner: Ambassador Hoekstra visits the Anne Frank House

Ambassador Hoekstra and his wife Diane visited the Anne Frank House Museum in Amsterdam recently.  Director Ronald Leopold explained his organization’s educational mission and talked about the renovations being made to the building that houses The Secret Annex where Anne and her family hid from the Nazis for more than two years during World War …

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Secretary Tillerson speaks on The U.S. and Europe: Strengthening Western Alliances

Remarks by Secretary of State Rex Tillerson The Wilson Center Washington, DC – November 28, 2017 The Wilson Center has made many important contributions to public policy over the years, and therefore it’s a very fitting venue for our discussion today on Europe, considering that 100 years ago this year the United States entered World War I …

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Cultural Corner: Yad Vashem gives a name to WWII heroes

Leo S. Ullman was one of the lucky ones. It probably didn’t feel much like luck at the time. He was taken away from his parents. He had to stay with strangers for more than two years. He had to disappear, given false papers. Become illegal. He ended up in an orphanage. His parents had …

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Remarks by Chargé d’Affaires at Waal River Crossing Ceremony

Remarks for the Waal River Crossing Ceremony CDA Shawn Crowley Nijmegen Wednesday, September 20, 2017 Mayor Bruls, Mayor Akkermans, Director van Afferen, distinguished veterans, ladies and gentlemen, and most importantly dear students.  Thank you for the opportunity to take part in this ceremony commemorating the 73rd anniversary of the Waal River Crossing and the liberation …

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A remarkable family united by one mission

They are three generations of one family. They enlisted in the militaries of three different nations. But their cause is the same: service. Henry Kubinski is a World War II veteran, having served as part of the First Independent Polish Parachute Brigade. He is back in the Netherlands for this week’s commemorations of Operation Market …

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On the Occasion of Europe Day

Press Statement Rex W. Tillerson Secretary of State Washington, DC May 9, 2017 In honor of Europe Day, I join all Americans in offering our best wishes to the citizens of the European Union. The United States and the European Union have a strong and enduring partnership based on our shared democratic values, strong economic …

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Dutch Military Awards U.S. Army Europe Commander Meritorious Service Medal

The Commander of U.S. Army Europe Lieutenant General Frederick “Ben” Hodges received the Meritorious Service Medal in Gold from the Dutch Minister of Defense on Monday, March 13th during a visit to the Netherlands. The award recognized LTG Hodges for his outstanding meritorious achievement as Commander, US Army Europe.  He was surprised at the ceremony …

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Worldwide Caution

As part of the Department of State’s continuous efforts to provide U.S. citizens traveling abroad with information about safety and security events, we are updating the Worldwide Caution with information on the continuing threat of terrorist actions, political violence, and criminal activity against U.S. citizens and interests abroad.  This replaces the Worldwide Caution dated September …

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Remarks by Vice President Pence at the Munich Security Conference February 18

Thank you, Ambassador Ischinger.  Chancellor Merkel, Secretary General, distinguished colleagues, and honored guests, I bring greetings on behalf of the 45th President of the United States, Donald Trump.  In my still new capacity as Vice President, I am honored and humbled to have the privilege to address this important annual forum. I’m also pleased to …

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Martin Luther King, Jr. Tribute Dinner

When Dr. King visited the Netherlands in 1964, he said, “Honesty and realism impel me to admit that we still have a long, long way to go. But I think the important thing is that we are making progress.” At Sunday’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Tribute Dinner in the Hague, Chargé d’Affaires Shawn Crowley said …

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Thanksgiving in the home of the pilgrims

In many ways, this is where it all started: Leiden’s Pieterskerk in the Netherlands. In 1620, 35 pilgrims departed Leiden for Plymouth in England. From there, they sailed onward aboard The Mayflower to the new colonies of Massachusetts. The first harvest festival celebrated in the new colony is seen as the origin of Thanksgiving. And here, …

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All American Night in Leiden

More than 1,000 students and faculty attended the 13th edition of Minerva’s All American Night in Leiden’s magnificent Pieterskerk. Organized by the student members of Minerva Society, it was a night of politics, music, and even a play – the latest edition of a tradition that stretches back to the U.S. Presidential Election of 1968. …

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U.S. Diplomatic Security Service joins Europol to fight against trafficking in human beings and migrant smuggling

Source: Europol Press Release , September 19, 2016 U.S. Diplomatic Security Service (DS) Deputy Assistant Secretary John M. Eustace and Europol Deputy Director Wil van Gemert met this week in The Hague. The two officials signed an agreement for the U.S. Diplomatic Security Service to join two of Europol’s Focal Points1: FP Phoenix targets trafficking in human beings …

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