Diplomacy is more than meets the eye.
Discover Diplomacy
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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 VisitingBrowse Diplomatic History
Explore Collections
Explore the vivid history of American diplomacy through our searchable collections database featuring a selection of items.
Start BrowsingFrom 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.
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Diplomacy Decision Points
If you were a diplomat, how would you respond to a crisis? What skills of diplomacy would you draw from?
In our online interactive experience, Diplomacy Decision Points, users get the chance to play the role of a diplomat and practice their diplomacy skills.
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.
Collection Highlights
2023 Wrapped: Our Favorite New Additions to Our Collection
With 2023 coming to a close, the National Museum of American Diplomacy is reflecting on a successful year building the museum’s collections. Here are a…
Collection Highlights
Preserving our Oldest Gift to a Secretary of State
Preserving our collection is one of NMAD’s top priorities. Recently, NMAD restored the oldest diplomatic gift we have: a book given to Secretary of State John Hay in 1901.
Spotlight on Diplomacy
Tangier Old Legation: America’s First Diplomatic Property
This Spotlight highlights the history of the Tangier American Legation is a symbol of cultural exchange between the Kingdom of Morocco and the United States.
Collection Highlights
The August 7, 1998, East Africa Embassy Bombings
On August 7, 1998, at 10:30 am, truck bombs exploded at U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania, killing more than 200 people and wounding more…
Historia de la diplomacia
The Declaration Heard ‘Round the World
The 1776 Declaration of Independence is one of the most universally well-known historical documents. American diplomats continue to promote the democratic values enshrined in its…
Historia de la diplomacia
Avraham Rabby: How a Disability Rights Advocate Opened the Door for Blind Diplomats
Avraham Rabby was a lifelong advocate for the rights of those with disabilities, particularly vision loss. Rabby was completely blind, having lost his sight as…
Historia de la diplomacia
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…