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December 1, 1970

Introduction

This almanac page for Tuesday, December 1, 1970, 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, November 30, 1970

Next Date: Wednesday, December 2, 1970

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 The White House - Washington, D. C.

  • 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.

    Appointments and Nominations

    • National Railroad Passenger Corporation (6 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 1617, December 1, 1970)
      Announcement of Appointment of 15 Members of the Financial Investment Advisory Panel for the Corporation.

    Acts Approved by the President

    Checklist of White House Press Releases

    The releases listed below, made public by the Office of the White House Press Secretary during the period covered by this issue, are not included in the issue.

    • Press conference of Senator Hugh Scott and Representative Gerald R. Ford following Republican leadership meeting.
    • Press conference of Representative Clark MacGregor of Minnesota and William E. Timmons, Assistant to the President for Congressional Relations, on the appointment of Representative MacGregor as Counsel to the President for Congressional Relations.
    • Biographical data on Representative Clark MacGregor.
    • Press conference of Dr. Paul W. McCracken, Chairman, Council of Economic Advisers, on the second Inflation Alert.

    Digest of Other White House Announcements

    Following is a listing of items of general interest which were announced in the press but not made public as formal White House press releases during the period covered by this issue. Appointments requiring Senate approval are not included since they appear in the list of nominations submitted to the Senate, below.

    • The Council of Economic Advisers released its second Inflation Alert.
    • The President today announced his decision to appoint Clark MacGregor of Minnesota as Counsel to the President for Congressional Relations. Mr. MacGregor will assume his responsibilities early in January 1971.

  • 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.

  • The Congressional Record is the official daily record of the debates and proceedings of the U.S. Congress.

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. II, Organization and Management of U.S. Foreign Policy, 1969-1972

    The Intelligence Community and the White House

    Vol. VII, Vietnam, July 1970-January 1972

    Planning and Decisions for Operations in Cambodia and Laos, October 9, 1970-February 7, 1971

    • 80. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon, Washington, December 1, 1970

      Source: National Security Council, Nixon Intelligence Files, Subject Files, Vietnam, Apr 1970–24 Dec 1970. Secret; Sensitive; Eyes Only. Sent for action. Attached but not printed is a memorandum from Haig to Chapin, November 27, asking him to revise an earlier draft to include a requirement that CIA develop plans for deeper operations, even though the Defense Department was responsible for operations beyond 30 kilometers. On November 30, Chapin wrote on the memorandum that CIA “accepts this as an entirely reasonable request.”

    Vol. XIII, Soviet Union, October 1970-October 1971

    "A Moment of Unusual Uncertainty": Meeting Between Nixon and Gromyko, October 12-December 31, 1970

    • 56. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon, Washington, December 1, 1970

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 714, Country Files, Europe, USSR, Vol. XI. Confidential. Sent for information. According to an attached note, the President saw the memorandum on December 10. Sonnenfeldt forwarded the memorandum, with FBIS summaries of Brezhnev’s speech attached, to Kissinger on November 30 and noted: “Attached (Tab A) is the analysis you requested for the President of Brezhnev’s recent speech. While the speech is not all that exciting, there are interesting nuances on the Middle East and Berlin. But perhaps the most interesting point is the fact that Brezhnev continued to limit major comment on the US to the context of Vietnam and to a few bromides on imperialism.” (Ibid.)

    Vol. XX, Southeast Asia, 1969-1972

    Thailand

    Vol. XXIX, Eastern Mediterranean, 1969-1972

    Cyprus

    Vol. XL, Germany and Berlin, 1969-1972

    Germany and Berlin, 1969-1972

    • 139. Memorandum Prepared by the National Security Council Staff, Washington, December 1, 1970

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 690, Country Files, Europe, Germany (Berlin), Vol. II. Secret. No drafting information appears on the memorandum. Sonnenfeldt forwarded it as an attachment to a December 1 memorandum to Kissinger. Noting that the meeting on November 23 had been “particularly unproductive,” Sonnenfeldt wrote that the meeting scheduled for December 10 “should provide us with a better basis to assess where things stand.” Kissinger initialed this memorandum indicating that he had seen it.

    Vol. E-1, Documents on Global Issues, 1969-1972

    International Cooperation in Space, 1969-1972

    Vol. E-4, Documents on Iran and Iraq, 1969-1972

    Iran 1970

    • 102. Telegram 5142 From the Embassy in Iran to the Department of State, Tehran, December 1, 1970, 0955Z

      Ambassador MacArthur notified the Department that the previous evening, he and his wife had been the victims of an abduction or assassination attempt that would not be publicized.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 17 US-IRAN. Secret; Nodis. In Telegram 196031 to Tehran, December 2, the Department agreed that the official story should be that the Ambassador’s car had been struck by a hit-and-run driver. (Ibid.)

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

    Brazil

    • 132. Minutes of a Senior Review Group Meeting, Washington, December 1, 1970, 2:40–3:39 p.m., Washington, December 1, 1970, 2:40-3:39 p.m.

      The Senior Review Group (SRG) discussed the NSSM 67 study for the purpose of preparing a memorandum to the President Nixon on the matter.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–111, SRG Minutes, Originals, 1970. Secret; Nodis. The meeting took place in the White House Situation Room. An Analytical Summary of the IG paper, with Kissinger’s handwriting in the margins, dated November 3, is ibid. On December 8, Kissinger requested the IG complete a study of U.S. military groups in Latin America by December 23, 1970. (Ibid., Box H–49, Senior Review Group, Brazil Program Analysis 12/1/70) The report was completed on January 12, 1971. (Ibid.)

    Dominican Republic

    • 287. Telegram 3140 From the Embassy in the Dominican Republic to the Department of State, December 1, 1970, 1845Z., December 1, 1970, 1845Z

      The Embassy recommended continued support for the Dominican Police Division of Special Operations (DSO) through the end of FY1972 since it was the only security force capable of coping with the initial stages of a potential rural-based subversive threat.

      Source: Department of State, INR/IL Historical Files, Santo Domingo, 1963–1979. Secret; Roger Channel. In telegram 201095 to Santo Domingo, December 10, the Department responded that AID funding for the DSO would continue in FY1972, but that it would be phased out and replaced by GODR funding. (Ibid.) In telegram 1969 from Santo Domingo, May 26, 1971, the Embassy reported that AID had phased-down police assistance and would eventually phase out such assistance entirely. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 23–8 DOM REP)

  • 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-5171 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-5171-02-37, Vice President Agnew giving dinner for Vietnam's Vice President Nguyen Cao Ky at the State Department. 12/1/1970, Washington, D.C. State Department. Spiro Agnew, Nguyen Cao Ky, guests.

    Roll WHPO-5172 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-5172-02-06, Document expressing sympathy on Charles de Gaulle's death. 12/1/1970, Washington, D.C. unknown. None.

    Roll WHPO-5173 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-5173-03A-13A, Pat Nixon with Debbie Murray. 12/1/1970, Washington, D.C. White House. Pat Nixon, Debbie Murray.

    Roll WHPO-5174 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-5174-01A-07A, Republican Congressional Leadership Meeting. 12/1/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Cabinet Room. Unidentified Congressmen.

    Roll WHPO-5176 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-5176-02-36, President Nixon's family dogs, King Timahoe, Vicki, and Pasha, seated in a row, looking out an open window at the White House. 12/1/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, unidentified room window. King Timahoe, Vicki, Pasha.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-5176-08, The Nixon family dogs, King Timahoe, Vicki, and Pasha, seated in a row, looking out an open window at the White House. 12/1/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, unidentified room window. King Timahoe, Vicki, Pasha.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-5176-14, The Nixon family dogs, King Timahoe, Vicki, and Pasha, seated in a row, looking out an open window at the White House. 12/1/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, unidentified room window. King Timahoe, Vicki, Pasha.

    Roll WHPO-5177 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-5177-05-23, Portrait of Cindy Shoemaker. 12/1/1970, Washington, D.C. unknown. Cindy Shoemacker.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-5177-24-36, Portrait of Helen Smith. 12/1/1970, Washington, D.C. unknown. Helen Smith.

    Roll WHPO-5178 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-5178-02A-13A, Portrait of Julie Robinson. 12/1/1970, Washington, D.C. unknown. Julie Robinson.

    Roll WHPO-5179 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-5179-03-06, Dr. Paul McCracken with an unknown woman. 12/1/1970, unknown unknown. Paul McCracken, unknown woman.

    Roll WHPO-5180 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-5180-02A-14A, Harry Dent getting a hair cut from the White House barber. 12/1/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Barber Shop. Harry Dent , unnamed barber [Milton Pitts?].

    Roll WHPO-5202 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-5202-01-04, White House fountain at night. 12/1/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, exterior.

    Roll WHPO-5203 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-5203-01-04, White House fountain at night. 12/1/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, exterior.

    Roll WHPO-5204 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-5204-01-04, View of the White House and water fountains illuminated at night. 12/1/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, exterior.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-5204-BLANK, View of the White House and water fountains illuminated at night. 12/1/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, exterior.

  • 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.

    H - White House Staff Member Recordings

    • WHCA-SR-H-302
      An anti-inflation alert with Paul McCracken, Ronald Ziegler, Gerald Ford, Hugh Scott, William Timmons, Clark MacGregor. (12/1/1970, Press Center, White House)

      Runtime: 34:00:00

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

      Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.
    • WHCA-SR-H-303
      Press briefing by Ronald Ziegler, William Timmons, and Clark MacGregor. (12/1/1970, Press Center, White House)

      Runtime: 17:00

      Keywords: Press conferences, news conferences, interviews, media, press secretary

      Production credits: Audio feed supplied by WHCA; Recorded by JMC (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-4004
      "First Tuesday" - Part I.
      N/A
      Runtime: 1:00
    • WHCA-4005
      "First Tuesday" - Part II.
      (various campaign committees)
      Runtime: 1:00
    • WHCA-4006
      "The Advocates". Should Congress pass a guaranteed minimum income law?
      NBC
      Runtime: 1:00
    • WHCA-4007
      A CBS Special - "Blue Christmas: An Inquiry Into the State of the Economy".
      NBC
      Runtime: 1:00
    • WHCA-4012
      Weekly News Summary, Tape I.
      All networks
      Runtime: 01:01:06

      23. Inflation alert. Time Code Start: 40:24. Keywords: economy, economics, budgets, finances, recession, inflation, money, wages, costs, unemployment, prices, exchange rates, devaluation,. Network: ABC.

      24. Report on Trade Bill. Time Code Start: 41:44. Keywords: bills, laws, business, exchanges, agreements, contracts, profits, finance, sales, buying, selling. Network: ABC.

      25. Frank Reynolds: commentary on the Lame Duck session of Congress. Time Code Start: 43:05. Keywords: House of Representatives. Network: ABC.

      26. Inflation alert. Time Code Start: 45:08. Keywords: economy, economics, budgets, finances, recession, inflation, money, wages, costs, unemployment, prices, reports. Network: NBC.

      27. Automobile prices up. Time Code Start: 45:58. Keywords: wage and price controls, freezes, prices, costs, increases, decreases, economy, economics, budgets, finances, recession, inflation, money, automobiles, autos, vehicles. Network: NBC.

      28. More on inflation. Time Code Start: 48:15. Keywords: economy, economics, budgets, finances, recession, inflation, money, wages, costs, unemployment, prices, reports. Network: NBC.

      29. Report on inflation in housing costs and medical care. Time Code Start: 48:38. Keywords: health, housing, construction, economy, economics, budgets, finances, recession, inflation, money, wages, costs, unemployment, prices, reports. Network: NBC.

      30. Report on Presidential appointee for Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) first Administrator Ruckelshaus currently Assistant Attorney General Civil Division. Time Code Start: 49:35. Keywords: Presidents, appointments, confirmations, cabinet, advisors, ecology, agencies, nominees, directors, environment, environmental, ecology, polution, mountains, lakes, rivers, clean air, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Network: NBC.

      31. Report on rejection of asylum for Lithuanian sailor. Time Code Start: 52:15. Keywords: Russia, Soviet Union, USSR, Simas Kudirka, fishing ships, Martha's Vineyard, USCGC Vigilant, US Coast Guard, defections, asylum denials, arrests. Network: CBS.

      32. Inflation alert. Time Code Start: 54:40. Keywords: economy, economics, budgets, finances, recession, inflation, money, wages, costs, unemployment, prices, reports. Network: CBS.

      33. More on inflation. Time Code Start: 56:58. Keywords: economy, economics, budgets, finances, recession, inflation, money, wages, costs, unemployment, prices, reports. Network: CBS.

      34. Congress on bombing of U.S. Embassy in Saigon, Vietnam. Time Code Start: 57:16. Keywords: Vietnam War, bombs, bombings, embassies. Network: CBS.

      35. Report on War Crimes Council. Time Code Start: 58:27. Keywords: bills, laws, House of Representatives, anti-crime, offences, infractions, criminals, criminality, law breaking. Network: CBS.
    • WHCA-4013
      Weekly News Summary, Tape II.
      All networks
      Runtime: 00:58:15

      1. Report on Presidential nominee for Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) first Administrator Ruckelshaus currently Assistant Attorney General Civil Division. Time Code Start: 00:00. Keywords: Presidents, appointments, confirmations, cabinet, advisors, ecology, agencies, nominees, directors, environment, environmental, ecology, polution, mountains, lakes, rivers, clean air, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Network: CBS.

      2. Report on action on Presidential nominee. Time Code Start: 02:59. Keywords: investigations, Presidential elections, campaigns, campaigning, candidates. Network: CBS.

      3. Eric Sevareid: Commentary on inflation. Time Code Start: 03:45. Keywords: economy, economics, budgets, finances, recession, inflation, money, wages, costs, unemployment, prices, reports. Network: CBS.

Context (External Sources)