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December 20, 1970

Introduction

This almanac page for Sunday, December 20, 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: Saturday, December 19, 1970

Next Date: Monday, December 21, 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 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.

    No Federal Register published on this date

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.

    • No President's Daily Brief delivered on this date

  • 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. XXIX, Eastern Europe, 1969-1972

    Poland

    • 145. Memorandum From the Presidentʼs Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon, Washington, December 20, 1970

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 698, Country Files—Europe, Poland, Vol. I. 1969–1971. Secret. A notation on the memorandum indicates the President saw it. A memorandum attached to the original text reads: “Nancy, The attached was delivered to the President on Sunday evening at 8:00 p.m. Copies provided to HAK–Haig–Howe–Latimer–Hyland–Lord. The memo has not been logged. Kevin D.” Kissinger discussed this memorandum and the context in which it was drafted in White House Years, pp. 797–798.

  • 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-5352 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-5352-03A-32A, Jan Ehrlichman with unidentified visitors to White House. 12/20/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, interior. Jan Ehrlichman, White House visitors, Richard Nixon, Pat Nixon.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-5352-13A, Presidet Nixon and Pat Nixon with the Columbus Boys Choir. 12/20/1970, Washington, D.C. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Columbus Boys Choir.

    Roll WHPO-5353 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-5353-06A-16A, Portrait of Jan Ehrlichman. 12/20/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, interior. Jan Ehrlichman.

    Roll WHPO-5354 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-5354-07-10, The Phoenix Choir of Baltimore standing in a group at the White House Christmas Staff Party. 12/20/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Grand Staircase. Pat Nixon, Phoenix Choir of Baltimore, unidentified guests.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-5354-12-20, Pat Nixon and guests attending the White House Christmas Staff Party. 12/20/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, State Floor. Pat Nixon, Phoenix Choir of Baltimore, unidentified guests.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-5354-16, Pat Nixon speaking with a group of children during the White House Christmas Staff Party. 12/20/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, State Floor. Pat Nixon, unidentified guests.

    Roll WHPO-5355 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-5355-01A-02A, Phoenix Choir of Baltimore at the White House Christmas Staff Party. 12/20/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Grand Staircase. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Phoenix Choir of Baltimore, unidentified guests.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-5355-03A-08A, President Nixon and Pat Nixon hosting the White House Christmas Staff Party. 12/20/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, State Floor. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Phoenix Choir of Baltimore, unidentified guests.

  • 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.

    I - Various Administration Events

    • WHCA-SR-I-053
      White House worship service (Christmas program) [see P-701220]. (12/20/1970, East Room, White House)

      Runtime: 43:00:00

      Keywords: Church service, worship service, prayer service, religion

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

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

    P - Formal Presidential Remarks

    • WHCA-SR-P-701220
      Remarks by President Nixon at White House worship service [see I-53]. (12/20/1970)

      Runtime: 5:51

      Keywords: Church service, worship service, prayer service, religion

      Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.
    • WHCA-SR-P-701221
      Remarks by President Nixon at Staff Open House. (12/20/1970)

      Runtime: 5:04

      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-4042
      "Face the Nation".
      All networks
      Runtime: 0:30
    • WHCA-4043
      "Meet the Press" with Paul Samuelson of MIT. a discussion of the President's economic strategy
      All networks
      Runtime: 00:33:33
    • WHCA-4051
      Weekly News Summary, Tape I.
      All networks
      Runtime: 01:05:51

      6. Oliver: Cesar Chavez and Mrs. Martin Luther King, Jr. (Coretta Scott King). Time Code Start: 07:25. Keywords: activists, civil rights, labor leaders, farm workers, hispanics, Mexican-Americans, ministers, African Americans, families. Network: NBC.

      7. Utley: British Prime Minister Heath supports U.S. bombing North Vietnam if needed to protect troop withdrawals. Time Code Start: 08:58. Keywords: Presidents, Prime Ministers, England, United Kingdom, Vietnam War, bombings, military, troops, withdrawals. Network: NBC.

Context (External Sources)