The original siamese twins, Chang and Eng Bunker, arrived in Boston aboard the ship Sachem to be exhibited to the Western world. They were born of Chinese parents in Siam (Thailand). Upon immigrating in to the U.S., they adopted Bunker as their surname. They were joined at the waist by a band of cartilage, about 8 in. circumference and 4 in. long. Only after their death was it found that this could have been easily separated. Robert Hunter, a British merchant, discovered them in 1829 and contracted with them to be exhibited as a curiosity in a world tour. Later, they went into business for themselves. In 1839, they settled in Wilkesboro, N.C., became US citizens and married two sisters with whom they raised 10 children.

In San Jose, Costa Rica foreign officials of the American republics met to discuss problems such as the Soviet Union's infiltration of Cuba and Venezuela. Communism was illegal in Costa Rica, but there were 300 card carrying communists in the country. During the conference police dispersed 100 communists demonstrating outside of the ministers hotel.