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August 31, 1971

Introduction

This almanac page for Tuesday, August 31, 1971, pulls together various records created by the federal government and links to additional resources which can provide context about the events of the day.

Previous Date: Monday, August 30, 1971

Next Date: Wednesday, September 1, 1971

Schedule and Public Documents

  • The Daily Diary files represent a consolidated record of the President's activities. Visit the finding aid to learn more.

    The President's day began at San Clemente, California

  • The Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents made available transcripts of the President's news conferences; messages to Congress; public speeches, remarks, and statements; and other Presidential materials released by the White House.

    Digitized versions can be found at HathiTrust.

  • Each Public Papers of the Presidents volume contains the papers and speeches of the President of the United States that were issued by the White House Office of the Press Secretary during the time period specified by the volume. The material is presented in chronological order, and the dates shown in the headings are the dates of the documents or events. In instances when the release date differs from the date of the document itself, that fact is shown in the text note.

    To ensure accuracy, remarks have been checked against audio recordings (when available) and signed documents have been checked against the original, unless otherwise noted. Editors have provided text notes and cross references for purposes of identification or clarity.

  • The Federal Register is the official daily publication for rules, proposed rules, and notices of federal agencies and organizations, as well as executive orders and other Presidential documents.

Archival Holdings

  • The H. R. Haldeman Diaries consists of seven handwritten diaries, 36 dictated diaries recorded as sound recordings, and two handwritten audio cassette tape subject logs. The diaries and logs reflect H. R. Haldeman’s candid personal record and reflections on events, issues, and people encountered during his service in the Nixon White House. As administrative assistant to the President and Chief of Staff, Haldeman attended and participated in public events and private meetings covering the entire scope of issues in which the Nixon White House engaged in during the years 1969-1973. Visit the finding aid to learn more.

  • The National Archives Catalog is the online portal to the records held at the National Archives, and information about those records. It is the main way of describing our holdings and also provides access to electronic records and digitized versions of our holdings. 

    The Catalog searches across multiple National Archives resources at once, including archival descriptions, digitized and electronic records, authority records, and web pages from Archives.gov and the Presidential Libraries. The Catalog also allows users to contribute to digitized historical records through tagging and transcription.

    Nixon Library Holdings

    All National Archives Units

National Security Documents

  • The President's Daily Brief is the primary vehicle for summarizing the day-to-day sensitive intelligence and analysis, as well as late-breaking reports, for the White House on current and future national security issues. Read "The President's Daily Brief: Delivering Intelligence to Nixon and Ford" to learn more.

  • The Foreign Relations of the United States series presents the official documentary historical record of major U.S. foreign policy decisions and significant diplomatic activity. Visit the State Department website for more information.

    Vol. XI, South Asia Crisis, 1971

    South Asia Crisis, 1971

    • 136. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Pakistan, Washington, August 31, 1971, 0025Z

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 27 INDIA–PAK. Secret; Immediate; Nodis. Drafted by Constable (NEA/PAF) on August 25 and revised in the White House on August 30; cleared by Laingen, Schneider, and Atherton; and approved for transmission by Eliot. Also sent to Calcutta and repeated to New Delhi, London, and Dacca.

    Vol. XIX, Part 1, Korea, 1969-1972

    Republic of Korea Troops in Vietnam and Force Modernization, April 1971-December 1972

    Vol. XXI, Chile, 1969-1973

    Cool and Correct: The U.S. Response to the Allende Administration, November 5, 1970-December 31, 1972

    Vol. XXIX, Eastern Europe, 1969-1972

    Romania

    • 206. Memorandum of Conversation, San Clemente, California, August 31, 1971, 11:40 a.m.-12:20 p.m.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 703, Country Files—Europe, Romania, Vol. III Jul 1970–Dec 1971. Secret; Nodis. Drafted by Rodman. The meeting took place in Kissingerʼs office.

    Vol. E-10, Documents on American Republics, 1969-1972

    Argentina

    • 72. Backchannel Message From the Ambassador to Argentina (Lodge) to the Executive Secretary of the Department of State (Eliot), Buenos Aires, August 31, 1971., Buenos Aires, August 31, 1971

      The wide-ranging discussion revealed President Lanusse’s motives for U.S. assistance, and U.S. attitudes towards Argentina. Nixon’s personal representative, Assistant Secretary of the Treasury, John Petty, discussed the reasons why the United States could not meet its requests for assistance.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 769, Country Files, Latin America, Argentina, 1 September 1970–31 December 1973. Secret; Sensitive; Nodis. The document was sent under a September 1 covering memorandum from Haig to Kennedy; not published. In the covering memorandum Haig stated that “we should move rapidly on a change of ambassadors. This man [Lodge] apparently does not have the confidence of President Lanusse; and from reading the dialogue, it is also evident that he hasn’t the humility to recognize it.”

    Vol. E-13, Documents on China, 1969-1972

  • The Kissinger telephone conversation transcripts consist of approximately 20,000 pages of transcripts of Kissinger’s telephone conversations during his tenure as Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs (1969-1974) and Secretary of State (1973-1974) during the administration of President Richard Nixon. Visit the finding aid for more information.

    Digitized versions of many of these transcripts can be found on the Yale University Library website.

Audiovisual Holdings

  • The White House Photo Office collection consists of photographic coverage of President Richard Nixon meeting with prominent social, political, and cultural personalities; speaking engagements and news conferences of the President and various high-ranking members of the White House staff and Cabinet; Presidential domestic and foreign travel, including Presidential vacations; social events and entertainment involving the First Family, including entertainers present; official portraits of the President, First Family, and high-ranking members of the Nixon administration; the 1969 and 1973 Inaugurals; the President’s 1972 Presidential election campaign appearances (including speeches) and other official activities of the White House staff and the President’s Cabinet from January 20, 1969 until August 9, 1974 at the White House and the Old Executive Office Building; other locations in Washington, DC, such as The Mall; and the Presidential retreats in Camp David, Maryland, Key Biscayne, Florida, and San Clemente, California. Visit the finding aid to learn more.

    Roll WHPO-7168 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-7168-02-08, F Street Club, exterior. 8/31/1971, Washington, D.C. F street Club, exterior.

    Roll WHPO-7185 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-7185-03-08, President Nixon seated informally in his Western White House office during a meeting with HEW Secretary Elliot Richardson. 8/31/1971, San Clemente, California Western White House, La Casa Pacifica, Presidential Office. President Nixon, Elliot Richardson.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-7185-08, President Nixon seated informally in his Western White House office during a meeting with HEW Secretary Elliot Richardson. 8/31/1971, San Clemente, California Western White House, La Casa Pacifica, Presidential Office. President Nixon, Elliot Richardson.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-7185-09-11, President Nixon having lunch with members of the "Golf and Poker Club" at the Los Angeles Country Club. 8/31/1971, Los Angeles, California Los Angeles Country Club, West Card Room. President Nixon, Golf and Poker Club members.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-7185-12-20, President Nixon with golfers on the Los Angeles Country Club golf course. 8/31/1971, Los Angeles, California Los Angeles Country Club, golf course. President Nixon, Stanton Hale, Vernon Underwood, unidentified persons.

    Roll WHPO-7187 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-7187-04A-13A, President Nixon seated informally in his Western White House office during a meeting with HEW Secretary Elliot Richardson. Nixon pictured from behind. 8/31/1971, San Clemente, California Western White House, Presidential Office. President Nixon, Elliot Richardson.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-7187-09A, President Nixon seated informally in his Western White House office during a meeting with HEW Secretary Elliot Richardson. Nixon pictured from behind. 8/31/1971, San Clemente, California Western White House, Presidential Office. President Nixon, Elliot Richardson.

  • The White House Communications Agency Sound Recordings Collection contains public statements that took place between 1969 and 1974. Visit the finding aid to learn more.

    G - Cabinet Officer Briefings

    • WHCA-SR-G-136
      Press briefing by Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare Elliot Richardson, with Ronald Ziegler at the San Clemente Inn, San Clemente, California. (8/31/1971, San Clemente Inn, San Clemente, California)

      Runtime: 25:00:00

      Production credits: Audio feed supplied by WHCA; Recorded by RHD (initials of WHCA engineer)

      Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.

  • The White House Communications Agency Videotape Collection contains “off-the-air” recordings of televised programs produced between 1968 and 1974. Visit the finding aid to learn more.

    • WHCA-4610
      "Reston on China", A CBS Special with Eric Sevareid. People's Republic of China Paul W. McCracken, Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors, Sonny and Cher.
      NBC, ABC, CBS
      Runtime: 1:00
    • WHCA-4618
      Weekly News Summary, Tape II.
      ALL NETWORKS
      Runtime: 1:30

      2. Smith/Kincaid: Busing to desegregate in Pontiac, Michigan. Time Code Start: 04:20. Keywords: desegregation, racism, racial profiling, racial discrimination, civil rights, African Americans, schools, students, transportation, busing. Network: ABC.

      3. Smith/Bell: Busing in Wilmington, North Carolina. Time Code Start: 06:19. Keywords: bills, laws, legislation, desegregation, racism, racial discrimination, African Americans, schools, students, transportation, reports. Network: ABC.

      4. Smith/Jarriel: Department of Health, Education and Welfare (HEW), President Nixon with Elliot Richardson. Time Code Start: 09:05. Keywords: Presidents, cabinet, advisors, meetings. Network: ABC.

      5. Miller: Vietnam railroad and wartime election report. Time Code Start: 11:00. Keywords: Vietnam War, trains, railroads, mass transit, transporation, elections, candidates, campaigns, campaigning, voting, results. Network: ABC.

      6. Smith: President Nixon refuses to disclose future foreign aid policies. Time Code Start: 14:50. Keywords: Presidents, financial aid, funding. Network: ABC.

      7. Smith: Commentary on Vietnam, "there may be some hope yet". Time Code Start: 15:25. Keywords: Vietnam War. Network: ABC.

      8. Chancellor/Kaplow: Busing; Richardson and President Nixon meeting. Time Code Start: 17:16. Keywords: Presidents, advisors, meetings, desegregation, racism, racial discrimination, African Americans, schools, students, transportation, reports. Network: NBC.

      9. Quinn: Governor George Wallace and Alabama busing. Time Code Start: 19:37. Keywords: bills, laws, legislation, desegregation, racism, racial discrimination, African Americans, schools, students, transportation, reports, Governors, Presidential elections, campaigns, primaries, candidates. Network: NBC.

      10. Chancellor/Briggs: Pontiac, Michigan, school bus bombing. Time Code Start: 23:00. Keywords: bombings, schools, buses, terrorism. Network: NBC.

      11. Brinkley: The good life. Time Code Start: 25:35. Keywords: lifestyles, wealth, health. Network: NBC.

      12. Hart/Fromson: Busing. Time Code Start: 30:10. Keywords: bills, laws, legislation, desegregation, racism, racial discrimination, African Americans, schools, students, transportation, reports. Network: CBS.

      13. Hart/Rather: Richardson meets with President Nixon. Time Code Start: 33:20. Keywords: Presidents, cabinet, advisors, meetings. Network: CBS.

      14. Morton: Law enforcement agency under Congressional investigation. Time Code Start: 35:13. Keywords: House of Representatives, police, agencies, investigations. Network: CBS.

      15. Sevareid: Commentary on Government crime and auto death rate reports; most serious crimes committed by 14 to 24 year olds, under 25 accident casualty rate; guns, drugs and cars should be taken away from youth. Time Code Start: 37:05. Keywords: National Transportation Safety Bd. Reports, automobiles, cars, trucks, vehicles, deaths, casualties, accidents, youth, Juveniles, crimes, offences, offenses, infractions, criminals, criminality, law breaking. Network: CBS.

      16. Hart/Drinkwater: California school tax law. Time Code Start: 39:27. Keywords: bills, laws, taxes, taxation, revenue, schools, universities, colleges. Network: CBS.

Context (External Sources)