Ping-Pong Paddle

China 1971

In April 1971, nine players from the U.S. Table Tennis team took a historic trip to China. Their trip was the start of what became known as “ping-pong diplomacy” and helped lay the groundwork for establishing official diplomatic relations between the United States and the People’s Republic of China. Connie Sweeris was one of the nine players. During the trip, while visiting a small, pop-up gift shop “friendship store” set up by their hosts and stocked with potential souvenirs, Sweeris was presented with this table tennis paddle made by the popular “Double Happiness” brand.

  • Source/Credit: Gift of Connie and Dell Sweeris
  • Catalog Number: 2021.0013.03
  • Created: 1971
  • Acquired: 2021

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MLA Format

Ping-Pong Paddle. 1971. National Museum of American Diplomacy, https://diplomacy.state.gov/items/ping-pong-paddle

Chicago Format

Ping-Pong Paddle, 1971, National Museum of American Diplomacy, Washington, DC, https://diplomacy.state.gov/items/ping-pong-paddle

APA Format

(1971). Ping-Pong Paddle [Object]. National Museum of American Diplomacy, Washington, D.C., United States. https://diplomacy.state.gov/items/ping-pong-paddle