Giant Pandas Arrive in USA

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Summary

The two Giant Pandas, Hsing-Hsing and Ling-Ling, arrive at Andrews Air Force Base at 5 a.m. and are transported to the National Zoological Park. President Nixon had announced on March 13 that the pandas would reside at the National Zoo, " gift from all the people of China to all the people of the United States." On April 20 the pandas were officially presented, with Mrs. Nixon and members of Congress in attendance. The public began coming at a rate of 1,200 people an hour, with 24,000 visitors coming to see the animals on their first weekend.

Subject

  • Nixon, Richard M (Richard Milhous) 1913-
  • National Zoological Park (U.S.)

Category

Chronology of Smithsonian History

Notes

  • Zoogoer, page 28 contains chronology of Pandas at NZP
  • Zoogoer, 3-4/1992, p. 23-25
  • Annual Report of the Smithsonian Institution for the year 1972, p. 16

Contact information

Institutional History Division, Smithsonian Institution Archives, 600 Maryland Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20024-2520, SIHistory@si.edu

Date

April 16, 1972

Topic

  • Gifts
  • Museums
  • Giant panda
  • Special events
  • Museum visitors

Place

China

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