The first official visit of a Soviet leader to the USA took place in September 1959, when Nikita Khrushchev arrived in America for a working visit. However, long before that, in 1871, the United States was visited by Grand Duke Alexei Alexandrovich, the son of Alexander II. His arrival was significantly more ceremonial. The visit was work-related and focused on exchanging military experience. At the beginning of the trip, the Russian delegation was received at the White House by President Grant, who expressed hope for the usefulness and educational value of this journey.

In every city, Alexei Alexandrovich was welcomed as an honored guest. In Brooklyn, a ball was organized for him with 4,000 attendees, and in Cambridge, the head of Harvard University showed him rare books. However, the Duke enjoyed Denver the most, where he was introduced to the leader of the local Indians, who proposed a joint buffalo hunt. After the hunt, they enjoyed a dish made from buffalo fillet with mushrooms. Alexei Alexandrovich generously gifted the Indian women and continued his journey.

Interestingly, our Duke made a big impression on American women. Rumors spread that he liked short girls, and ladies began wearing flat shoes and lowering their hairstyles. They flocked past his hotel, hoping to attract his attention. During this tour, the American public's interest in Russian culture was awakened: articles about our traditions and history were published in newspapers, and lectures were held. Sometimes this reached absurdity, such as when a butcher displayed chicken carcasses in the shape of double-headed eagles.

However, the Romanov's visit was not limited to balls, hunting with Indians, and social parties. He visited numerous seaports, studied the construction of warships, visited the Smith & Wesson arms factory, and observed the demolition of training targets with torpedoes. This experience later proved useful to him in the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-78. Such was the first visit to the USA by a high-ranking Russian official.