Coming to America: On Jan. 1, 1979, China and the United States normalized diplomatic relations when then President Jimmy Carter agreed to sever relations with Taiwan. Soon afterward, Deng toured the United States, becoming the first Chinese leader since the 1949 creation of the People’s Republic to visit the country. The 5-foot-tall (152 cm) Deng did everything from telling American business executives that China needed their technology and investment to making himself almost disappear in a ten-gallon hat at a Texas barbeque. Here, he and Carter meet one another with smiles at the White House on Jan. 31, 1979.