Mrs. Nixon Meets Big Bird

On 12 December 1970, Pat Nixon, wife of President Richard Nixon, greeted Big Bird in the White House. Big Bird, a star on the children's television show Sesame Street, entertained children at a Christmas party.


The Middlesex County Newspaper covered the event and wrote, "Every child is a Sesame Street fan. Even the White House wants to see puppets. Children from this area are lucky to be able to see Carroll Spinney in person." The t.v. show premiered in the fall of 1969, and Carroll Spinney performed both Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch. However, I think the kids were excited to see Big Bird, not puppeteer Carroll Spinney, or Richard Nixon.

This photograph can be found in the Richard Nixon Library in Yorba Linda, California.

Franklin D. Roosevelt Draws a Sailing Ship, 1887

Franklin D. Roosevelt drew this pencil sketch of a sailing ship in 1887, when he was 5 years old. Franklin sent his mother Sara Ann Delano Roosevelt a letter with the drawing that reads:

"My dear mama
we coasted yesterday
nothing dangerous yet, look out for tomorrow!!
your boy, F"

On the back of the letter, Sara Roosevelt noted: "Written by Franklin when 5 years and 11 months old. He knew his letters but was told how to spell the words - Jan. 1st 1888." The drawing can be found in the Franklin D. Roosevelt Library in Hyde, NY.

Albert Einstein's Declaration of Intention