Back in Time: Elvis Meets Nixon

by Libby Pelham | More from this Blogger

08 Jan 2007 09:50 PM

In 1970, two people who were very famous and soon to be infamous (in the eyes of some) met. Yes, I am talking about when Elvis visited the Whitehouse to meet with President Nixon. You may have seen the photo - the glittery Vegas Elvis, already starting to chunk up a bit, standing next to Nixon, who I considered one of our more rigid presidents. The December 21st meeting only lasted 30 minutes, but some 36 years later, fans still cannot forget.

In case you had forgotten, did not know, or did not care, today would have been Elvis' 72nd birthday. To honor that occasion, the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Birthplace is displaying relics of the meeting much to the glee of many Elvis fans. What can you see at the free exhibit? There is the outfit only Elvis would have dared to wear - black velvet overcoat, gold plated belt and black leather boots. You can also see Nixon's outfit - the standard gray wool suit, tie, and shoes. There are letters between the two on display as well as the World War II Colt .45 revolver that Elvis gave Nixon during the meeting.

Of course, the irony in the event was Elvis wanted to meet with Nixon to discuss how he could help in the fight against drugs. During the meeting, Elvis showed Nixon pictures of daughter Lisa Marie and police badges he had received from precincts around the country. He wanted a badge from the U.S. Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs. Nixon agreed and gave Elvis the badge, but only after finding out the bureau chief had turned down the request earlier in the day and Nixon was the only one who could overrule that decision. The news of the meeting was not known until The Washington Post leaked the store more than a year later on January 27, 1972.

Since the famous meeting, the Library has made a mint selling t-shirts, cups, notepads, and watches bearing the images of the unlikely duo at the museum's gift shop.

Learn more about Libby Pelham

Libby Pelham is a work-at-home mom located in Jacksonville, NC. She has a beautiful little boy, Will, born in July of 2004.

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