Sold – An Original Invitation from Premier Khruschev to Admiral Hyman Rickover to the American Exhibit in Moscow, Known Today as Khruschev’s “Kitchen Debate” With Nixon

Adm. Hyman G. Rickover was the dominant force in the construction and implementation of the worlds largest nuclear Navy, including the first nuclear submarine and a generation of surface vessels and missiles.  This took place during the Cold War, at a time of great competition between the world's superpowers, the US and USSR.  Nuclear naval research saw its first great advances in the 1950s, with the first nuclear submarine launching in 1955.  Using Rickover's submarines and missiles, American might could now be delivered to any point in the world; and American submarines could cruise, silently and never surfacing, beneath the waves shadowing Soviet naval movements, collecting Soviet missile telemetry and eavesdropping on Soviet communications.



In 1957, the Soviets and Americans agreed to a cultural exchange, with exhibits in New York in 1958 and in Moscow in 1959.  In New York, the Russians prepared an exhibit showcasing Soviet society.  Richard Nixon, then Vice President under Dwight D. Eisenhower, was the host.  But Admiral Rickover played an important role as well, as he assisted Nixon in escorting the Russian delegation.  



In July of 1959, Nixon embarked on the reciprocal trip, a very high profile one that received massive attention, and which he hoped would bolster his ambitions to be President.  The American National Exhibit was created in Moscow and it showcased the newest U.S. technology: home appliances, fashion, televisions and a model home, which could be bought by an "average family."  The goal was to narrow the personal misunderstandings between Americans and Russians by focusing on daily life rather than on political relations. The result was, however, a debate about the relative merits of the two economic and political systems. 



July 24, 1959 was the day of the formal tour of the Exhibit, which saw Nixon hosting Khruschev.  There was a meal in honor of Nixon at the Kremlin.  Nixon's speech praised the Soviet advances in technology but went on to praise American values of freedom.  The tour took the two through the Exhibit, in particular to the model kitchen designed to showcase the life of the average American family. Here, with cameras rolling, Khruschev and Nixon engaged in a series of impromptu exchanges about which country's system was better.  It was a deeply revelatory moment and at times turned contentious.  The resultant "Kitchen Debate" is one of the most famous moments of the Cold War.  The two decided to broadcast the exchanges in each country.



Nixon took a very small delegation to Moscow, and this included Milton Eisenhower and Hyman Rickover.  Rickover's presence was no accident.  The technology race, so clearly illustrated by the hunt for nuclear power, was in full swing. Rickover was a reminder to the Soviets that America was progressing in its work, and that this was a priority. Most importantly, he was in Russia to scope out the competition.  Just a couple days after the Kitchen Debate, Rickover personally inspected the first Soviet nuclear surface vessel, the Lenin.  When he returned to the US, he was called to Congress to testify about the nuclear progress of the Soviet Navy. 

These are Rickover’s two invitations to both events.

One is the original invite to the meal that opened the exhibition opening, addressed to him, from Khruschev, inviting him to the breakfast the day of the Kitchen Debate, July 24, 1959, in Russian.  "In honor of Mr. Richard M. Nixon, Vice President of the United States of America, The Chairman of the Council of the Ministers of the USSR invites Admiral H.G. Rickover to a breakfast on July 24th, 1959, at 14:00 at the Grand Kremlin Palace."

The other is the invitation from to the Exhibition itself, scene of the Kitchen debate, Moscow, July 24, at 6pm to “Admiral Hyman Rickover.”  “The Ambassador of the United States and the Director of the American National Exhibition request the pleasure of the company of Admiral Hyman Rickover at the official opening of the American National Exhibition in Moscow by the Honorable Richard Nixon Vice President of the United States at six o’clock in the afternoon Friday the twenty-fourth of July Sokolniki Park, Moscow.  Admission by presentation of this card.”  Translated into Russian on the opposing leaf.