The Surprising History of Pandas at the National Zoo | Boundary Stones

Washington, D.C.

Published November 13, 2026

In 1972, Richard Nixon's surprising visit to China and an unlikely exchange of zoo animals helped thaw relations between China and the United States, and set off "panda-monium" in Washington.

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Sketch of the mythical fuan by Pearson Scott Foresman. [Source: Wikipedia]

Halloween

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A group from Ecuador marches to Kalorama Park during 1971 Latino Festival. (Source: Reprinted with permission of the DC Public Library, Star Collection © Washington Post)

Hispanic Americans

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Painting of George Washington on white horse with British soldiers walking alongside. Groups of soldiers stand on either side of the frame.

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Abraham Lincoln, bearded man wearing suit and bowtie.

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Woody Guthrie, 1943 (Library of Congress)

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The Washington Mall from behind the Washington Monument, with the museums and other buildings visible in the distance

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German actress Hedwig Reicher wearing costume of "Columbia" with other suffrage pageant participants standing in background in front of the Treasury Building, March 3, 1913, Washington, D.C. (Source: Library of Congress)

Women's History

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Mary Church Terrell stands with three African American men in 1953. (Reprinted with permission of the DC Public Library, Star Collection, © Washington Post.)

Black History

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