Mike Beglinger, deputy director of planning and program management at Smithsonian's Office of Planning , Design and Construction, introduces an artist's rendering of the new pair of giant pandas near the David M. Rubenstein Family Giant Panda Habitat at the National Zoo on Wednesday. Zhao Huanxin/China Daily In 1972, when then-U.
S. first lady Patricia Nixon welcomed the first pair of giant pandas to Washington's National Zoo, Jill Biden was a 20-year-old college student. In a video posted on Wednesday, Mrs.
Biden, the current U.S. first lady, got her chance to welcome the arrival of a pair of pandas.
As she enthusiastically clutched a toy panda that someone threw to her, the first lady exclaimed: "We can't wait to celebrate this historic moment here in our nation's capital. Join us. It's official! The pandas are coming back to DC!" Joining the first lady in the video were National Zoo Director Brandie Smith and Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie G.
Bunch III. They announced the arrival of the new giant pandas for later this year and joked about preparing for two special guests at the White House. "We are excited for children near and far to once again enjoy the giant pandas' adorable and joyful adventures at our @NationalZoo," Biden said in a social media post, six months after the U.
S. capital bid an emotional farewell to the last three giant pandas, including a pair that arrived 23 years ago, which left for China in November. "We're thrilled to announce the next chapter of our br.
