Khrushchev Denied Access to Disneyland: September 19
Soviet leader, Nikita Khrushchev, flew to Los Angeles on September 15th, 1959 for an extended trip and a meeting with Dwight Eisenhower. It was the first United States visit from a Soviet leader since 1933. On September 19th, Khrushchev and his wife toured around the area. As they were introduced by Twentieth Century Fox President, Spyros P. Skouras, at Los Angeles Town Hall, things quickly escalated. Skouras and Khrushchev began a heated argument, starting with Skouras accusing Russia of "burying" capitalism. Khrushchev became even more infuriated when denied access to Disneyland. Officials thought that the crowds would be a safety threat to him. Khrushchev addressed the American peropl eon national television, "And I say, I would very much like to go and see Disneyland. But then, we cannot guarantee your security, they say. Then what must I do? Commit suicide? What is it? Is there an epidemic of cholera there or something? Or have gangsters taken hold of the place that can destroy me?" He left Los Angeles the following morning.