Well, you might be wondering what Khrushchev and Disneyland have in common. I didn’t know the connection, but I do now. On this date in 1959, this Soviet leader was denied entrance to the Disneyland. He had begun a goodwill tour, and he had already visited Broadway, a Pittsburgh steel mill, and IBM headquarters. While in L.A., he was told that his family was free to visit Disneyland but his personal safety could not be guaranteed. He then headed to Disneyland, but the U.S. State Department said he couldn’t visit. And here was his angry rant: ‘Why not? What is it? Do you have rocket-launching pads there?’ I do not know. And just listen—just listen to what I was told—to what reason I was told. We, which means the American authorities, cannot guarantee your security if you go there. What is it? Is there an epidemic of cholera there or something? Or have gangsters taken over the place that can destroy me? Then what must I do? Commit suicide? This is the situation I am in. Your guest. For me, this situation is inconceivable. I can not find words to explain this to my people.” He left L.A. the next morning.
For more information:
http://www.bendbulletin.com/article/20110919/NEWS0107/109190361/
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/khrushchev-barred-from-visiting-disneyland
http://famousdaily.com/history/soviet-union-khrushchev-banned-security-reasons-disneyland.html
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/khrushchev-barred-from-visiting-disneyland
