Smithsonian's National Zoo - arrival of Ling-Ling and Hsing-Hsing

In 1972 the People's Republic of China gifted the giant pandas Ling-Ling and Hsing-Hsing to the United States, and they were housed at the Smithsonian's National Zoo as part of a diplomatic exchange following President Nixon's visit to China. The pandas became major public attractions and symbols of 'panda diplomacy' while at the zoo. The National Zoo continues to run conservation, research, and public education programs focused on endangered species.