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Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
What's This?
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.

What's This?

Artifact ID1966.64.240
Object Type Cartoon Drawing
Artist (United States, 1907 - 1981)
Publisher (founded 1885)
Gifter
Date ca. April 1966
Medium Ink and grease pencil on drawing paper
DimensionsOverall H 11 3/8 in x W 14 1/4 in (28.9 cm x 36.2 cm )
Physical Description
Physical DescriptionOriginal cartoon drawing. Five men (identifiable as Ho Chi Minh, Leonid Brezhnev, Mao Tse-tung, LBJ, and Charles de Gaulle) are singing as a group: "We're o-old pals To-o-geth-er---". Caption reads: "What's This?". Artist signature lower right: "Bill McClanahan - APRIL FOOL!"
Inscriptions and MarkingsHandwritten at lower right: "To the President, Best Wishes" "Cartoon appeared in Apr 1, '66 Issue Dallas News."
Historical NoteDuring the Johnson administration and general postwar era, much foreign policy was dictated by the Cold War, the rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union for political influence amidst decolonization, associated with proxy wars, ideological struggles, the nuclear arms race, and the space race. In 1964, China detonated its first atomic bomb, leading to a third power to rival the other two. In 1966, France left NATO so it could play a role in foreign policy independent of the United States and Ho Chi Minh was the president of North Vietnam. In this April Fools Day cartoon, the political rivals sing together like old friends.
Additional Details
Custodial History NoteThe item was a gift from the general public to President Johnson during his term in office. It was received by President Johnson personally, until the President donated it to the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum in 1970.
Credit LineGift of Lyndon Baines Johnson
National Archives Catalog CollectionLyndon B. Johnson Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 192413)
National Archives Catalog SeriesGifts from the General Public (National Archives Identifier 189698395)
Use Restriction StatusRestricted - Fully
Use Restriction NoteCopyright or other proprietary rights are held by individuals or entities other than the LBJ Presidential Library and Museum. The LBJ Presidential Library and Museum does not warrant that the use of materials will not infringe on the rights of third parties holding the rights to these works, or make any representations or warranties with respect to the application or terms of any international agreement, treaty, or protections that may apply. It is your responsibility to determine and satisfy any copyright or other use restrictions. Pertinent regulations can be found at 36 C.F.R 1254.62.
Person Referenced Leonid Brezhnev (Soviet Union, 1906 - 1982)
Person Referenced Mao Tse-tung (China, 1893 - 1976)
Person Referenced Ho Chi Minh (Vietnam, 1890 - 1969)
Person Referenced Charles de Gaulle (France, 1890 - 1970)
Person Referenced Lyndon Baines Johnson (United States, 1908 - 1973)
In Collection(s)
Not on view
Place of Publication
Dallas
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