Soviet-born ballet dancer and choreographer Rudolph Nureyev is widely regarded as one of the greatest ballet dancers of all time. On this day, June 16, in 1961, he defected to the West. This was the first defection of a Soviet artist during the Cold War, and it created an international sensation.

Karsh’s original record for this sitting reads: Rudolph Nureyev Appearing with National Ballet in Montreal performance, For National Ballet of Canada project.