A summary of this story was republished by El Tiempo Latino. Puedes leer un resumen de este artículo en español aquí.

Things in D.C. that last six months: the Capitol fencing, the 7000-series train shut-down (at least), and now, more excitedly, the celebration of the Smithsonian National Zoo’s giant panda program.

The zoo kicked off its 50-year anniversary celebration of the Giant Panda program on Wednesday (which was also National Panda Day), with a list of events and deals that will run through August 27. Next month, April 16 will mark 50 years since the zoo and the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute began caring for, studying, and breeding the pandas. Five decades ago, after First Lady Patricia Nixon mentioned her fondness for the animals at a dinner with Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai, China gifted the U.S. two giant pandas, Ling-Ling and Hsing-Hsing, as a gesture of goodwill. The pair moved in to the National Zoo on April 16, 1972, and Washingtonians have been obsessed ever since.

As a part of a breeding and research contract with the China Wildlife Conservation Association, giant pandas Mei Xiang and Tian Tian made the journey from China to D.C. in 2000. In addition to a $10 million check, terms of the agreement included the stipulation that any offspring the couple produce must go back to China when they turn four. (We miss you, Bei Bei, Bao Bao, and Tain Shan). That means we’ll have to say goodbye to cub Xiao Qi Ji, whose birth marked one of few bright spots in 2020, come 2023.

But the National Zoo has a lot of pandemonium planned before his fateful departure. The festivities began on Wednesday with the opening of the Giant Panda Family Tree Photo Gallery, located in the outdoor giant panda exhibit. Next month, on the actual pandaversary (April 16), visitors at the zoo can eat panda-shaped Bao buns, meet with zoo scientists, and watch the pandas receive enrichment treats.

Here’s what else is on tap in the coming weeks:

April 8: Limited-time 50-year anniversary merch will be available on www.NationalZooPanda.com. Proceeds will benefit the zoo’s animal conservation work.

April 16 and 17: The Smithsonian Channel will premiere its documentary on the zoo’s panda program, “The Miracle Panda.” The film will be screened at the Zoo’s Visitor Center Theatre for free.

April 17: From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., visitors at the Zoo can watch a performance by Dong Xi, featuring percussionist Tom Teasley and Chinese dulcimer artist Chao Tin. The pandas will also be receiving enrichment treats during the performance.

April 21: Panda experts will host a panel in the evening, discussing what it’s like to study and care for giant pandas.

Beyond the zoo’s programming, local businesses near the zoo are also participating in pandaversary celebrations, offering deals on drinks and food through May 15. Participating businesses will have a Giant Panda 50th Anniversary sign on their windows. To view more events, you can visit the zoo’s website.