spokane,lincher for was that for the first time since before world war ii, the soviet union exhibited at an american world's fair. not only did they come to spokane, but they came in force. a huge pavilion, three theaters within the pavilion. the irony of that is, spokane was and is somewhat more conservative, say than other parts of the country and affection for communism in the soviet union was not necessarily second nature to folks in spokane. but on the one hand, they might be anti-soviet, but on the other hand, they were very pro-soviet and very grateful that so much had been done for our worlds fair. the opening of the fair came in early may of 1974. and about 80,000 people came to that and richard nixon, president and said, gave the opening speech. -- president nixon, gave the opening speech. >> it is a pleasure to be here on this sparkling opening day to speak about what this particular occasion means, not only for now, and the days ahead in the summer where i hope hundreds of thousands and maybe millions will come to see it. but down on the pages of history perhaps to the yea