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.