National Archives Hosts Nixon Legacy Forum November 12
Press Release · Thursday, October 23, 2014

Washington, DC

Experts to discuss President Nixon’s historic opening to China

On Wednesday, November 12, at 10 AM, the National Archives hosts the annual Nixon Legacy Forum. An expert panel will discuss President Nixon’s historic opening to China. This event is free and open to the public and will be held in the William G. McGowan Theater of the National Archives Building in Washington, DC. Attendees should use the Special Events entrance, located on Constitution Avenue at 7th Street, NW. The building is fully accessible. Metro: Yellow or Green lines, Archives/Navy Memorial station.

President Nixon's trip to China in 1972 ended twenty-five years of isolation between the United States and the People's Republic of China and resulted in establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1979. His opening to China was the public result of sensitive diplomatic initiatives. Former members of the National Security Council staff discuss their behind-the-scenes efforts as well as the ramifications for the United States and its allies. Jonathan Howe, Winston Lord, Nicholas Platt, and Richard Solomon form the panel moderated by Fox News National Security Analyst K. T. McFarland. This program is presented in partnership with the Richard Nixon Foundation.

Related online resources

• What’s for dinner? Read the Pieces of History blog post on the banquet held to honor President Nixon on his first evening in China, “Dinner Diplomacy Thaws the Cold War.” Hosted by Chinese Prime Minister Chou En-lai, this dinner was broadcast live around the globe. See the menu that included duck bone soup.
• “Panda”monium at the National Zoo: See the Pieces of History blog post about the arrival from China of two chubby black and white furry goodwill ambassadors—Ling-Ling and Hsing-Hsing. See the video clip of First Lady Pat Nixon welcoming the pandas to the National Zoo.
• Nixon tapes detail visit: Listen to Nixon discuss his rationale for the trip, the arrival of the pandas at the National Zoo, and his reasoning for the importance of restoring communications with the People's Republic of China.

The National Archives is fully accessible, and Assisted Listening Devices are available in the McGowan Theater upon request. To request a sign language interpreter for a public program, please send an email to public.program@nara.gov or call 202-357-5000 at least two weeks prior to the event. To verify the date and times of the programs, call the National Archives Public Programs Line at: 202-357-5000, or view the Calendar of Events online.

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For press information contact the National Archives Public Affairs staff at 202-357-5300.

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