The Soviets Are Coming!: Premier Nikita Khrushchev Visits America

It may seem strange to you (or maybe not), but in 1959 the leader of the Soviet Union (Premier Nikita Khrushchev) visited America for almost two weeks. He visited farms, traveled to California and generally soaked up American culture.

President Eisenhower was hopeful the talks he would have with Khrushchev would ease tensions with the Soviets. Also, Americans were hopeful that the leading communist in the world would get a "taste of American freedom" and want to develop our philosophy in his country.

Well, none of those things happened. His trip to America is an interesting footnote of the Eisenhower era and marks the first time the leader of the Soviets came to America.

For this week's blog...
1.Please visit this website to view Khrushchev's itinerary from the trip.

2. Read this interview with Richard Davies from 1979. Davies was in charge of managing the press (media) when Khrushchev visited Los Angeles during his trip.

3. Finally, read part two from Davies about the Premier's interest in the American corn industry.

For the comments section, discuss what you learned from the three readings. What strikes you as interesting about this odd episode in American history?

Remember, you entry this week must be at least 400 words.

World War Two: First Hand Accounts

As we have stated many times, the best way to really connect with history is to see it/hear it/watch it/experience it from the perspective of those who lived it.

Using this website, choose ONE story from the list of eyewitness accounts from the World War II era. After you choose your story, read it and summarize what happened in the comments.

Once a story is posted about, no one else can choose that story. So, act quickly!

World War II: Propaganda Posters

As we have noticed in the past, wars are a great time to examine the "government's artwork" of the era.

For this week's blog, find an interesting WWII (be sure it is WWII and not WWI) propaganda poster and post the link to it in the comment section. Then, write 200 words about the meaning/message of the poster.

Remember, this type of blog is a first-come-first-served affair. So, if your blog post is a repeat of someone else's poster, you will not get credit. So...act fast!