Pat Nixon at Diplomatic Children's Party, 1969

In this photograph, taken by National Geographic photographer Joseph J. Scherschel on December 23, 1969, First Lady Pat Nixon sits with an audience of approximately 400 children during a Christmas party she hosted for children of the Diplomatic Corps. The party was coordinated by THIS (The Hospitality and Information Service) for Diplomats, a volunteer organization established in 1961 to support newly appointed diplomats and their families transition to life in Washington, D.C. During the party, Mrs. Nixon and the children were treated to selections from Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker" ballet, performed by 40 students from the Washington School of Ballet.