after he visits Children's Hospital. Mayor Dave Bing will give Elmo the key as well as read books with the Muppet to children.

Whenever a prominent figure gives time or money to a city's residents, a key given back in return is nothing new. But a key to Detroit has only been given to a select few -- and the tickly, cuddly Elmo does share it with someone you would never have found hanging around Sesame Street: Saddam Hussein.

Back in 2003, around the time of the U.S. invasion of Iraq and months before his imminent capture, The Detroit News and WDIV reminded Detroit citizens that Hussein was given the key in 1980 -- before he was considered an American enemy.

Hussein never used the key, WDIV reported.