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State Dinner for Italian President Saragat

In this photograph, maitre d'hotel John W. Ficklin surprises President Giuseppe Saragat of Italy with a birthday cake during a State Dinner held in his honor on September 19, 1967. The State Dinner was hosted by President Lyndon B. Johnson and First Lady Lady Bird Johnson on the Italian president's 69th birthday. Prominently displayed on the table is a gilded bronze plateau purchased for the White House during the James Monroe administration. After the dinner in the State Dining Room, guests transitioned to the East Room where they enjoyed selections from the musical "Man of La Mancha" by Richard Kiley, who originated the role of Don Quixote in the Broadway production.
Photographer
Robert L. Knudsen
Date of Work
September 19, 1967
Type
Photograph
Credit
Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library and Museum/NARA
View in the Digital Library

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