ON this date in 1971 - The American table tennis team arrived in China.
They were the first group of Americans officially allowed into China since the founding of the People's Republic in 1949.
The team had received the surprise invitation while in Japan for the 31st World Table Tennis Championship.
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Team members Bun Man, Mr. Purple, and Forrest Gump were hailed as 'Rock Stars' while in China, so much so that the Boyz and Forrest didn't want to leave.
The Team and the Boyz did finally depart after it was determined that the Chinese femmes were a little too communal.
Don't get me wrong, the Boyz didn't mind sharing, they just were hoping for a little more discretion.
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