In this episode, Natalia, Niki, and Neil discuss this year’s “Covid Thanksgiving.”

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Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: 

• For many families, Thanksgiving will look very different this year. Niki wrote about the myth that the “Greatest Generation” was naturally self-sacrificing. Neil referred to this Takeout article about Sarah Josepha Hale’s role in establishing Thanksgiving. Natalia referenced Depression-era Thanksgiving hacks like “mock duck” and conservative Charlie Kirk’s rant about the left-wing war on Thanksgiving.

In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History:

• Natalia shared Jackie Salo’s New York Post article, “Star SoulCycle Instructors Accused of Sex with Clients, Fat-Shaming, Racism, and More.”
• Neil discussed New Zealand’s recent election results.
• Niki recommended Joe Coscarelli’s New York Times article, “How Mariah Carey’s ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You’ Finally Hit No. 1.”

In this episode, Neil, Niki, and Natalia discuss the announcement of a new coronavirus vaccine from Pfizer.

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Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: 

• Pharmaceutical giant Pfizer has announced a promising new coronavirus vaccine. Niki referred to historian Joanna Radin’s Washington Post piece on the connections between cattle breeding and vaccine distribution and political scientist Dan Drezner’s article about the Trump administration’s cavalier approach to the Covid-19 crisis. Natalia recommended The Daily episode on the Pfizer announcement.

In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History:

• Natalia recommended historian Emily Contois’ Jezebel article, “That Shape He Can’t Forget.”
• Neil discussed the new Showtime docuseries, The Reagans.
• Niki shared this post on the New England Historical Society blog, “How the Grinch Became a Star of Stage and Screen.”

In this episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil discuss the results of the 2020 U.S. presidential election.

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Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: 

• Vice President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. is the President-Elect of the United States. Natalia mentioned this New York Times interview with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in reference to possible challenges within the Democratic coalition.

In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History:

• Natalia recommended historian Rebecca de Schweinitz’ book Age in America: The Colonial Era to the Present.
• Neil shared Brett White’s Decider article, “Coco: The Groundbreaking Gay Character on ‘The Golden Girls’ Left Behind.”
• Niki discussed Christina Morales’ New York Times article, “Biden to Restore a White House Tradition of Presidential Pets.”

In this episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki discuss British comedian Sacha Baron Cohen’s new Borat movie.

Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: 

• Borat Subsequent Moviefilm is British comedian Sacha Baron Cohen’s latest sendup of American political culture. Niki and Neil commented on Sam Thielman’s NBC Think review, and Natalia cited this BBC piece from a Kazakh perspective. Niki also drew on Maureen Dowd’s interview with Baron Cohen.

In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History:

• Natalia discussed her recent essay for Marker, “How Long Can Gyms Survive?”
• Neil recommended Stephen Hudak’s Orlando Sentinel article, “Story of Ocoee Massacre Finally Being Told.”
• Niki shared her recent episode, “Election Night Sunday,” of This Day in Esoteric Political History podcast.