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December 2, 1970

Introduction

This almanac page for Wednesday, December 2, 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: Tuesday, December 1, 1970

Next Date: Thursday, December 3, 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.

    Announcements

    Appointments and Nominations

    Statements Other Than Presidential

    • Treatment of Prisoners of War (6 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 1618, December 2, 1970)
      Statement by White House Press Secretary Ronald L. Ziegler on the Resolution of the Social Committee of the United Nations General Assembly.

    Acts Approved by the President

    • H.J. Res. 1255 -- Public Law 91-526
      Joint Resolution to authorize and request the President to proclaim the period January 10, 1971, through January 16, 1971, as "National Retailing Week."

    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.

    • Capt. James A. Lovell, Jr., the President's Consultant on Physical Fitness and Chairman of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, met with the President at the White House.
    • The report of the President's Task Force on Business Taxation was announced by the White House. The report is entitled "Business Taxation" (Government Printing Office, 82 pp.).
    • The President met with students from Villanova University who organized "Mail Call Vietnam," a project aimed at sending 300,000 pieces of mail to servicemen in Vietnam for Christmas of this year.
    • President Novice G. Fawcett of Ohio State University called on the President at the White House to present a gavel with an inscription commeriorating the University's centennial year.
    • Officers of the English-Speaking Union of the United States presented the President with a special commemorative medallion honoring the organization's Golden Jubilee.

  • 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. V, United Nations, 1969-1972

    Chinese Representation in the United Nations

    • 315. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Mexico, Washington, December 2, 1970

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, UN 6 CHICOM. Secret; Immediate; Exdis. Repeated to Taipei. Drafted by Peter Johnson, cleared by Eliot, and approved by Rogers. The telegram was passed to the President by Kissinger in the daily briefing memorandum for December 8. (Ibid., Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 14, President’s Daily Briefing)

    Vol. VII, Vietnam, July 1970-January 1972

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

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

    U.S. Troop Reductions and Related Defense Issues, November 1969-February 1971

    • 80. National Intelligence Estimate, Washington, December 2, 1970

      Source: Central Intelligence Agency, Job 79–R01012A, ODDI Registry of NIEs and SNIEs. Secret. The Central Intelligence Agency and the intelligence organizations of the Departments of State and Defense, and the NSA participated in the preparation of this estimate. The Director of CIA submitted this estimate with the concurrence of all members of the USIB with the exception of the representatives of the AEC and FBI who abstained on the grounds that it was outside their jurisdiction.

    • 81. Memorandum of Conversation, Washington, December 2, 1970, 6 p.m.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 542, Country Files, Far East, Korea, Vol. III, 6/70–Dec 70. Secret; Sensitive. Sent for information. Drafted on December 7. The meeting was held at Kissinger’s office at the White House. This memorandum is attached to a December 9 memorandum from Holdridge to Kissinger recommending no further distribution “due to the sensitivity of the subject matter.”

    Vol. XXXII, SALT I, 1969-1972

    From Stalemate to Breakthrough, August 24, 1970-May 20, 1971

    • 115. Memorandum From the Deputy Secretary of Defense (Packard) to President Nixon, Washington, December 2, 1970

      Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 330, OSD Files: FRC 330–76–076, Box 12, USSR, 388.3. Top Secret. According to an attached December 2 transmittal note by Tucker, this memorandum was prepared in response to Laird’s request for a memorandum to Nixon detailing the U.S. NCA proposal. Tucker noted that “we might at least persuade Henry to instruct the delegation not to discuss or define our NCA proposal further until after the 8th.” Another attached note indicates that the memorandum was to be sent to the White House on December 5.

  • 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-5181 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-5181-02A-05A, President Nixon meeting with Captain James A. Lovell, Chairman of the President's Council on Physical Fitness. 12/2/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, James A. Lovell, unidentified aides, reporters.

    Roll WHPO-5182 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-5182-02A-14A, Congressman Eddie Hebert presenting President Nixon with Sugar Bowl football game gift tickets. 12/2/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Eddie Hebert, William Timmons.

    Roll WHPO-5183 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-5183-01-13, President Nixon standing in the Oval Office to receive the gift of a record album of Patriotic Christmas music by the Dutch Immigration Society, from Congressman Gerald Ford. 12/2/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Gerald Ford.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-5183-14-15, President Nixon standing in the Oval Office shaking hands with Congressman Gerald Ford. 12/2/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Gerald Ford.

    Roll WHPO-5184 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-5184-02A-20A, Michael May, the head of the Fire Fighters Union of New York, presenting a fireman's hat gift to President Nixon. 12/2/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Michael Maye.

    Roll WHPO-5185 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-5185-02A-19A, President Nixon meeting with Villanova students who organized "Mail Call Vietnam" including Robert Breslin, Thomas Creagh, Thomas Treacy, and Major Jack Brennan. 12/2/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Robert Breslin, Thomas Creagh, Thomas Treacy, Maj. John V. Brennan (AKA) Jack Brennan.

    Roll WHPO-5186 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-5186-03-13, President Nixon meeting with Dr. W. Cameron Townshend, founder-director of the Wycliffe Bible Translators along with Senator Carl Curtis, John Nidecker and two unidentified males. 12/2/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, W. Cameron Townsend, Carl Curtis, John Inducer, two unidentified males.

    Roll WHPO-5187 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-5187-02A-15A, Novice G. Fawcett, President of the Ohio State University, and Robert G. Smith, VP of Univ. Development presenting Rose Bowl football game gift tickets to President Nixon. 12/2/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Novice G. Fawcett, Robert G. Smith, Robert Finch.

    Roll WHPO-5188 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-5188-01-04, White House telephone operators with President Nixon, John Davies, Pat Nixon and Julie Nixon Eisenhower. 12/2/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, John Davies, Pat Nixon, Julie Nixon Eisenhower, unidentified telephone operators.

    Roll WHPO-5189 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-5189-02-05, White House telephone operators with President Nixon, John Davies, Pat Nixon and Julie Nixon Eisenhower. 12/2/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, John Davies, Pat Nixon, Julie Nixon Eisenhower, unidentified telephone operators.

    Roll WHPO-5190 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-5190-01-08, President Nixon with the Boys' Club Professional Association, including George J. Palino, William R. Hinckley, Boyd Hinds, Jay Markle, Lee W. Smith, Jr., and Ray H. Lockwood. 12/2/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, George J. Palino, William R. Hinckley, Boyd Hinds, Jay Markle, Lee W. Smith, Jr., Ray H. Lockwood.

    Roll WHPO-5191 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-5191-02A-15A, Archbold van Beuren, President of the English-Speaking Union of the United States, presenting a special commemorative medallion gift to President Nixon, with David Granger, Alan T. Schumacher, Brigadier General William Ritchie, George Bell. 12/2/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Archbold van Beuren, David Granger, Alan T. Schumacher, Brigadier General William Ritchie, George Bell.

    Roll WHPO-5192 Photographer: Hartmann | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-5192-01-02, Copy of a photograph of Presidential Christmas Card. 12/2/1970, unknown unknown.

    Roll WHPO-5193 Photographer: Hartmann | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-5193-, Atkins Log: "1970 Christmas Card"; note in black binder: "5193 copy on 1970 Christmas Card B&W". 12/2/1970, unknown unknown.

  • 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.

    E - Secretary of Defense Briefings

    • WHCA-SR-E-020
      Remarks by Sec. Def. Melvin Laird at the NATO Conference in Brussels, Belgium. (12/2/1970, Brussels, Belgium)

      Runtime: 35:00:00

      Production credits: Audio feed supplied by OPI; Recorded by RAS (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-4008
      Al Capp Special.
      WCET, Los Angeles
      Runtime: 0:30
    • WHCA-4009
      "Today" Show. Discussion of the proposed Supersonic Transport (SST)
      CBS
      Runtime: 0:30
    • WHCA-4010
      "The David Frost Show" with Secretary of Defense Melvin Laird, singer Bobby Bloom.
      N/A
      Runtime: 01:35:12
    • WHCA-4013
      Weekly News Summary, Tape II.
      All networks
      Runtime: 00:58:15

      4. More on return of Lithuanian defector (asylum case). Time Code Start: 06:23. Keywords: Russia, Soviet Union, USSR, Simas Kudirka, fishing ships, Martha's Vineyard, USCGC Vigilant, US Coast Guard, defections, asylum denials, arrests. Network: ABC.

      5. Update on Supersonic Transport (SST) debate in the Senate. Time Code Start: 07:55. Keywords: Senators, debates, Supersonic Transport, SST, aircraft, speed of sound, subsonic airliners, investigations, reports. Network: ABC.

      6. Report on the Lame Duck Session of Congress. Time Code Start: 08:28. Keywords: House of Representatives. Network: ABC.

      7. Louis Rukeyser: commentary on inflation. Time Code Start: 10:37. Keywords: economy, economics, budgets, finances, recession, inflation, money, wages, costs, unemployment, prices, reports. Network: ABC.

      8. Update on Supersonic Transport (SST) debate in the Senate. Time Code Start: 12:35. Keywords: Senators, debates, Supersonic Transport, SST, aircraft, speed of sound, subsonic airliners, investigations, reports. Network: NBC.

      9. More on return of Lithuanian defector (asylum case). Time Code Start: 14:47. Keywords: Russia, Soviet Union, USSR, Simas Kudirka, fishing ships, Martha's Vineyard, USCGC Vigilant, US Coast Guard, defections, asylum denials, arrests. Network: NBC.

      10. Film report on drug abuse in the military. Time Code Start: 16:37. Keywords: Armed Forces, military, troops, investigations, drug abuse, drugs, alcohol, alcoholism, addicts, addiction, prevention, programs. Network: CBS.

      11. More on return of Lithuanian defector (asylum case) - returned by the Coast Guard to his ship. Time Code Start: 19:20. Keywords: Russia, Soviet Union, USSR, Simas Kudirka, fishing ships, Martha's Vineyard, USCGC Vigilant, US Coast Guard, defections, asylum denials, arrests. Network: CBS.

      12. Report on Supersonic Transport (SST) debate in the Senate. Time Code Start: 19:47. Keywords: Senators, debates, Supersonic Transport, SST, aircraft, speed of sound, subsonic airliners, investigations, reports. Network: CBS.

      13. Film report on the Anglo-French Supersonic Transport (SST) Concorde. Time Code Start: 20:41. Keywords: aviation, vehicles, aircraft, turbojet, airliner. Network: CBS.

      14. Eric Sevareid: commentary on White House confrontation with the Congress. Time Code Start: 27:05. Keywords: House of Representatives, Presidents. Network: CBS.

Context (External Sources)