More accurately, This Day in PANDA History!

In 1972, the first pandas* arrived at the Smithsonian National Zoo, courtesy of China wishing to gain favor and influence from the US, after Pat Nixon wanted to hug a panda** on a trip to China.

*The first panda (named Su Lin) that came to the US was brought by Ruth Harkness (read the book The Lady and the Panda for a fascinating account of this real life epic adventure story) and eventually went to live his short life at the Brookfield Zoo in Chicago.

** Who doesn’t want to hug pandas? I ask you! I might have used some creative license with this fact, but Pat was the one who wanted the pandas. Nixon said okay, but they absolutely cannot sleep on the couch, and they are really, really not allowed on the bed.

Did you get your taxes done?

Meanwhile, we R still endangered …

I never get tired of Frank and Mikey stories!

I know it is really scary out in the world right now. I hope my stories of pandas (and other bears) are helping you cope with it all.

Be the Bear
Bob T celebrating the Nixon Pandas Panda

For the foreseeable future, I will only have one new ‘toon each week (generally speaking) but will share a pandapalooza of goodies from the archives on the other regular posting day. We can’t go a whole week with no pandas (or other bears)!