This Was Television On July 24
1959: Color TV lights a spark in the Cold War
As part of a cultural exchange between the United States and the U.S.S.R., Soviet premier Nikita Khrushchev accompanied Vice President Richard Nixon through an exhibition set up in Moscow to exemplify everyday American life. An incredulous Khrushchev grew increasingly incensed during the tour, finally blowing his stack as Nixon demonstrated some of America’s newest model color television sets.
The so-called “kitchen debate” escalated into heated bickering before the two men regained their cool. The two men later became great friends, though things soured in 1962 when Nixon suggested they prank his old rival John F. Kennedy by delivering him twenty pizzas, and “pizzas” was mistranslated as “nuclear warheads.” -A.D.
Today’s Birthdays: Rose Byrne, damaged (33); Ruth Buzzi, laughed-in (76); Lynda Carter, wonderous (61); Kristin Chenoweth, daisy pusher (44); Summer Glau, River of dreams (31); Mark Goddard, space major (76); Kadeem Hardison, Hillman College alum (47); Dan Hedaya, Tortelli schemer (72); Laura Leighton, Melrose Placer (44); Jennifer Lopez, idolater (43); Anna Paquin, vamp’s vamp (30); Michael Richards, Cosmo-politan (63).
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