Temporary Disabled. :) please Go back The National Museum of American Diplomacy www.fgks.org » Address: [go: up one dir, main page] Include Form Remove Scripts Accept Cookies Show Images Show Referer Rotate13 Base64 Strip Meta Strip Title Session Cookies Skip to content The National Museum of American Diplomacy Menu Discover Diplomacy Exhibits Collections Education Stories of Diplomacy Toggle search field About NMAD Events Visit Donate Keyword search Submit search Diplomacy is more than meets the eye. Diplomacy is more than meets the eye . Discover Diplomacy Diplomacy is more than meets the eye. Discover Diplomacy From the Collection: Ping-Pong Paddle From the Collection: Ping-Pong Paddle Curious what a ping pong paddle has to do with diplomacy? Tap one of these to see. A surprising cultural exchange. A trip with a lasting impact. Diplomacy is more than meets the eye. Discover Diplomacy From the Collection: Passport issued to David Hinckley From the Collection: Passport issued to David Hinckley An important official signature The dangers of 18th century Atlantic travel Diplomacy is more than meets the eye. Discover Diplomacy From the Collection: LAFD Fire Helmet From the Collection: LAFD Fire Helmet Rescuing survivors in Nepal Disaster response and relief. Close modal window Pause Play What does a ping-pong paddle have to do with diplomacy? A historic diplomatic opening. For over 20 years, there had been no diplomatic ties and few contacts between the United States and China. That began to change in April 1971, when a friendly encounter between two ping-pong players, one American and the other Chinese, at a championship in Japan led to an extraordinary invitation. When the U.S. team arrived in Beijing, they were greeted by officials. See this Item in the collection: Ping-Pong Paddle China 1971 Close modal window What does a ping-pong paddle have to do with diplomacy? A surprising cultural exchange. The U.S. team was invited to China to play exhibition matches against the Chinese team, but the trip included banquets and cultural tours. They visited some of China’s landmarks, including the famous Great Wall of China. There, the team posed for a group photo that would become an iconic image of their trip—and was featured on the cover of Time magazine. See this Item in the collection: Ping-Pong Paddle China 1971 Close modal window Pause Play What does a ping-pong paddle have to do with diplomacy? A trip with a lasting impact. The U.S. team’s trip was the start of “ping-pong diplomacy,” which generated goodwill and provided a public face for serious diplomatic negotiations. President Richard Nixon visited China in February 1972. That April, the Chinese table tennis team toured the United States, starting in Detroit. Formal diplomatic relations were established in 1979. See this Item in the collection: Ping-Pong Paddle China 1971 Close modal window How did passports protect Americans from capture? An important official signature In the early republic, just like today, diplomats overseas protected American travelers. But unlike today, diplomats then personally signed passports. Rufus King, U.S. Minister to Great Britain (1796-1803) signed this passport to permit safe passage to this American citizen under international law. See this Item in the collection: Passport issued to David Hinckley Great Britain 1798 Close modal window Passports protected Americans The dangers of 18th century Atlantic travel David Hinckley, this passport’s bearer, was a wealthy Boston merchant who frequently traveled to London on business. Barbary corsairs captured him during an Atlantic crossing, holding him for ransom. The U.S. and Algiers negotiated a treaty in 1796 ending the practice, ensuring Americans would no longer be taken hostage. Hinckley likely carried this passport to prove his citizenship if Barbary corsairs intercepted his Atlantic travel again. See this Item in the collection: Passport issued to David Hinckley Great Britain 1798 Close modal window When are firefighters diplomats? Rescuing survivors in Nepal When a powerful earthquake shook Nepal in 2015, killing more than 8,000 people, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) deployed Los Angeles County Fire Department personnel to Nepal to assist with recovery efforts. Working with Nepalese rescue crews, they freed 15-year-old Pemba Lama from the wreckage of a collapsed hotel parking garage. See this Item in the collection: LAFD Fire Helmet Los Angeles, CA c. 2015 Close modal window When are firefighters diplomats? Disaster response and relief. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) provides humanitarian aid and training to help countries respond to natural disasters. The Fairfax County, Virginia, and Los Angeles County, California, fire departments are the only two units in the United States trained and authorized to deploy with USAID disaster response teams. See this Item in the collection: LAFD Fire Helmet Los Angeles, CA c. 2015 Explore the museum A Museum to Come Located in the heart of Washington, DC, the National Museum of American Diplomacy tells the story of the history, practice, and challenges of American diplomacy. Through exhibitions and programs, NMAD inspires the American public to discover diplomacy and how it impacts their lives every day. About NMAD Visiting Explore Future Museum Exhibit Halls Browse Diplomatic History Explore Collections Explore the vivid history of American diplomacy through our searchable collections database featuring a selection of items. Start Browsing From the Collection First Base from U.S.-Cuba Baseball Game This base was in play during the March 22, 2016 exhibition game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Cuban National Team in Havana, Cuba. The game occurred during Obama’s historic visit to Cuba after the two countries re-established official diplomatic relations in 2015. From the Collection Iran Hostage Blindfold This piece of cloth was fashioned into a blindfold and used on U.S. diplomat Robert Blucker, who was serving at the U.S. Embassy in Tehran in 1979, Blucker was one of 52 who were ultimately held hostage for 444 days, in what became known as the Iran Hostage Crisis. From the Collection Kellogg-Briand Pact Signing Pen This gold fountain pen was used by Secretary Kellogg and his 14 foreign counterparts to sign the Kellogg-Briand Pact in France in August 1928. This historic treaty pursued the lofty goal of ending war. From the Collection Patti Morton’s Pistol Clutch Purse In 1972, Patricia “Patti” Morton became the first woman to serve as a Diplomatic Security Service Special Agent. At the time, Diplomatic Security did not issue gun holsters that could be worn practically by a woman. Morton found her own solution by using this clutch to carry her .357 magnum service weapon during protective detail assignments. From the Collection Bugged Brick from U.S. Embassy Moscow This unusual looking device protruding from a brick is an electronic “bug”—essentially a microphone that could transmit conversations remotely. It was found in the U.S. Embassy in Moscow in the 1960s by Diplomatic Security personnel. NEW ONLINE INTERACTIVE Diplomacy Decision Points: Crisis After the Hurricane If you were a diplomat, how would you respond to a crisis? What skills of diplomacy would you draw from? In our new online interactive game, Diplomacy Decision Points, users get the chance to play the role of a diplomat and practice their diplomacy skills. Play the Game Education at NMAD Equip students with the diplomatic skills and knowledge required to tackle complex challenges using our teacher resources. Diplomacy Simulations Participate in immersive, skill-building scenarios based on real-world events. Diplomacy Classroom Events Join the museum for virtual programs highlighting a historical event, person, or contemporary global issue. Education Videos Explore topics such as wildlife trafficking, a freshwater crisis, or migration through our expert videos. Classroom Activities See our database of resources containing videos, diplomacy simulations, and more. Stories of Diplomacy What does it mean to live a life of foreign service and what impact can a diplomat make? Explore the stories of ambassadors, influential civilians, key diplomatic players, treaty negotiators, and more. Story of Diplomacy Race, Citizenship, and Red Scares: Robert Robinson and Foreign Service Officer Bill Davis March 9, 2023 When U.S. citizens travel abroad with their official documents, like visas and passports, they expect to be able to travel freely. And they also expect… Story of Diplomacy 1778 Treaty of Fort Pitt: U.S. Treaty-Making with the Lenape Nation July 29, 2022 During the Revolutionary War, one of the United States’ earliest treaties was with the Lenape (Delaware) nation aimed at building an alliance against the British:… Story of Diplomacy Carl T. Rowan: From Journalist to Diplomat February 24, 2022 The path to becoming a diplomat is not always obvious. For Carl T. Rowan, he paved his path with his storytelling. His many articles on… Story of Diplomacy The Fall of Saigon (1975): The Bravery of American Diplomats and Refugees April 29, 2021 On April 30, 1975, the South Vietnamese capital of Saigon fell to the North Vietnamese Army, effectively ending the Vietnam War. In the days before, U.S. forces evacuated thousands of Americans and South Vietnamese. American diplomats were on the frontlines, organizing what would be the most ambitious helicopter evacuation in history. Collection Highlights Ping-Pong Diplomacy: Artifacts from the Historic 1971 U.S. Table Tennis Trip to China August 5, 2021 In April 1971, nine players from the U.S. Table Tennis team took a historic trip to China, becoming the first delegation of Americans to visit… Story of Diplomacy “Tie a Yellow Ribbon:” The Origin of the National Response to the Iran Hostage Crisis January 19, 2021 In November 1979, 52 Americans in the U.S. Embassy in Tehran were taken hostage by Iranian students. Everyone, from the most junior staff members to… Story of Diplomacy How Secretary Albright Advocated to Expand NATO February 17, 2023 Secretary Madeleine Albright was a trailblazer as the first woman Secretary of State. One of her most significant accomplishments was helping to expand NATO to include more countries in the 1990s. Why was expanding NATO so important to global security? And what role did Secretary Albright play in achieving this diplomatic milestone?
Diplomacy is more than meets the eye.
Diplomacy is more than meets the eye .
What does a ping-pong paddle have to do with diplomacy?
A historic diplomatic opening.
For over 20 years, there had been no diplomatic ties and few contacts between the United States and China. That began to change in April 1971, when a friendly encounter between two ping-pong players, one American and the other Chinese, at a championship in Japan led to an extraordinary invitation. When the U.S. team arrived in Beijing, they were greeted by officials.
See this Item in the collection:
China 1971
A surprising cultural exchange.
The U.S. team was invited to China to play exhibition matches against the Chinese team, but the trip included banquets and cultural tours. They visited some of China’s landmarks, including the famous Great Wall of China. There, the team posed for a group photo that would become an iconic image of their trip—and was featured on the cover of Time magazine.
A trip with a lasting impact.
The U.S. team’s trip was the start of “ping-pong diplomacy,” which generated goodwill and provided a public face for serious diplomatic negotiations. President Richard Nixon visited China in February 1972. That April, the Chinese table tennis team toured the United States, starting in Detroit. Formal diplomatic relations were established in 1979.
How did passports protect Americans from capture?
An important official signature
In the early republic, just like today, diplomats overseas protected American travelers. But unlike today, diplomats then personally signed passports. Rufus King, U.S. Minister to Great Britain (1796-1803) signed this passport to permit safe passage to this American citizen under international law.
Great Britain 1798
Passports protected Americans
The dangers of 18th century Atlantic travel
David Hinckley, this passport’s bearer, was a wealthy Boston merchant who frequently traveled to London on business. Barbary corsairs captured him during an Atlantic crossing, holding him for ransom. The U.S. and Algiers negotiated a treaty in 1796 ending the practice, ensuring Americans would no longer be taken hostage. Hinckley likely carried this passport to prove his citizenship if Barbary corsairs intercepted his Atlantic travel again.
When are firefighters diplomats?
Rescuing survivors in Nepal
When a powerful earthquake shook Nepal in 2015, killing more than 8,000 people, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) deployed Los Angeles County Fire Department personnel to Nepal to assist with recovery efforts. Working with Nepalese rescue crews, they freed 15-year-old Pemba Lama from the wreckage of a collapsed hotel parking garage.
Los Angeles, CA c. 2015
Disaster response and relief.
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) provides humanitarian aid and training to help countries respond to natural disasters. The Fairfax County, Virginia, and Los Angeles County, California, fire departments are the only two units in the United States trained and authorized to deploy with USAID disaster response teams.
Explore the museum
A Museum to Come
Located in the heart of Washington, DC, the National Museum of American Diplomacy tells the story of the history, practice, and challenges of American diplomacy.
Through exhibitions and programs, NMAD inspires the American public to discover diplomacy and how it impacts their lives every day.
Explore Collections
Explore the vivid history of American diplomacy through our searchable collections database featuring a selection of items.
From the Collection
This base was in play during the March 22, 2016 exhibition game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Cuban National Team in Havana, Cuba. The game occurred during Obama’s historic visit to Cuba after the two countries re-established official diplomatic relations in 2015.
This piece of cloth was fashioned into a blindfold and used on U.S. diplomat Robert Blucker, who was serving at the U.S. Embassy in Tehran in 1979, Blucker was one of 52 who were ultimately held hostage for 444 days, in what became known as the Iran Hostage Crisis.
This gold fountain pen was used by Secretary Kellogg and his 14 foreign counterparts to sign the Kellogg-Briand Pact in France in August 1928. This historic treaty pursued the lofty goal of ending war.
In 1972, Patricia “Patti” Morton became the first woman to serve as a Diplomatic Security Service Special Agent. At the time, Diplomatic Security did not issue gun holsters that could be worn practically by a woman. Morton found her own solution by using this clutch to carry her .357 magnum service weapon during protective detail assignments.
This unusual looking device protruding from a brick is an electronic “bug”—essentially a microphone that could transmit conversations remotely. It was found in the U.S. Embassy in Moscow in the 1960s by Diplomatic Security personnel.
NEW ONLINE INTERACTIVE
Diplomacy Decision Points: Crisis After the Hurricane
If you were a diplomat, how would you respond to a crisis? What skills of diplomacy would you draw from? In our new online interactive game, Diplomacy Decision Points, users get the chance to play the role of a diplomat and practice their diplomacy skills.
Equip students with the diplomatic skills and knowledge required to tackle complex challenges using our teacher resources.
Participate in immersive, skill-building scenarios based on real-world events.
Join the museum for virtual programs highlighting a historical event, person, or contemporary global issue.
Explore topics such as wildlife trafficking, a freshwater crisis, or migration through our expert videos.
See our database of resources containing videos, diplomacy simulations, and more.
What does it mean to live a life of foreign service and what impact can a diplomat make? Explore the stories of ambassadors, influential civilians, key diplomatic players, treaty negotiators, and more.
Story of Diplomacy
Race, Citizenship, and Red Scares: Robert Robinson and Foreign Service Officer Bill Davis
When U.S. citizens travel abroad with their official documents, like visas and passports, they expect to be able to travel freely. And they also expect…
1778 Treaty of Fort Pitt: U.S. Treaty-Making with the Lenape Nation
During the Revolutionary War, one of the United States’ earliest treaties was with the Lenape (Delaware) nation aimed at building an alliance against the British:…
Carl T. Rowan: From Journalist to Diplomat
The path to becoming a diplomat is not always obvious. For Carl T. Rowan, he paved his path with his storytelling. His many articles on…
The Fall of Saigon (1975): The Bravery of American Diplomats and Refugees
On April 30, 1975, the South Vietnamese capital of Saigon fell to the North Vietnamese Army, effectively ending the Vietnam War. In the days before, U.S. forces evacuated thousands of Americans and South Vietnamese. American diplomats were on the frontlines, organizing what would be the most ambitious helicopter evacuation in history.
Collection Highlights
Ping-Pong Diplomacy: Artifacts from the Historic 1971 U.S. Table Tennis Trip to China
In April 1971, nine players from the U.S. Table Tennis team took a historic trip to China, becoming the first delegation of Americans to visit…
“Tie a Yellow Ribbon:” The Origin of the National Response to the Iran Hostage Crisis
In November 1979, 52 Americans in the U.S. Embassy in Tehran were taken hostage by Iranian students. Everyone, from the most junior staff members to…
How Secretary Albright Advocated to Expand NATO
Secretary Madeleine Albright was a trailblazer as the first woman Secretary of State. One of her most significant accomplishments was helping to expand NATO to include more countries in the 1990s. Why was expanding NATO so important to global security? And what role did Secretary Albright play in achieving this diplomatic milestone?