I’ve written before about Khrushchev’s visits to America in 1959 and 1961. Life Magazine printed this report in October of 1959.

At the climax of Nikita Khrushchev’s astounding cross-country stampede, the Soviet dictator met his democratic match. In man-to man debate with President Eisenhower he found that, just as there was little concession to him, there was no budging the President, particularly form his stand on West Berlin. After tough rounds of talks, extended beyond the original schedule, the best that could be promised the waiting world was more negotiations later. It was agreed that they would announce agreement on rough terms of an interim settlement of the Berlin dispute, no present cutoff date for Western occupation.

On the face of it, this was progress. But full interpretation of the dictator’s incredible 12-day tour required study. He had swaggered in New York, thundered threats in Los Angeles, beamed in San Fransisco. Only once, all unknowing, had he been topped by a side -splitting gag. The net effect was one of chilling political showmanship.

And now some photos: