December 21, 1971

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

• Original typewritten diary (PDF)

The President's day began at Government House, Hamilton, Bermuda

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.

• Remarks of the President and Prime Minister Heath of the United Kingdom Following Their Meetings in Bermuda.
• Joint Statement Following Meetings in Bermuda With Prime Minister Heath of the United Kingdom.

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.

• Federal Register of Tuesday, December 21, 1971

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.

• Transcript of diary entry (PDF)
• Original audio recording (MP3)

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

• Text search for December 21, 1971
• Date search for December 21, 1971

All National Archives Units

• Text search for December 21, 1971
• Date search for December 21, 1971

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.

• President's Daily Brief of 21 December 1971

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

Managing the Department of State

• 339. Memorandum From the Chairman of the Department of State Task Force VII Committee (Petrow) to the Deputy Under Secretary of State for Management (Macomber), Washington, December 21, 1971

  Source: National Archives, RG 59, Office of the Deputy Under Secretary for Management, Management Reform Task Force Papers: Lot 74 D 394, Management Reform—Task Force Chairman’s Meeting—Report. Confidential; Eyes Only. The 13 Task Force chairmen convened in Washington December 13–17 to be briefed on implementation of the Task Force recommendations and to provide their evaluation of the progress so far and their advice on handling outstanding issues. (Memorandum from Robert Steven to Macomber, October 8; ibid., MR: TF Chairmen’s Meeting, December 13–17, 1971)

Vol. V, United Nations, 1969-1972

Committee of 24

• 75. Telegram From the Mission to the United Nations to the Department of State, New York, December 21, 1971, 1855Z

  Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 19 UN. Confidential. Repeated to Taipei and Hong Kong.

Secretary-General Succession

• 246. Telegram From the Mission to the United Nations to the Department of State, New York, December 21, 1971, 0250Z

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 303, Agency Files, USUN, Vol. IX. Secret; Priority; Nodis.

Vol. XI, South Asia Crisis, 1971

South Asia Crisis, 1971

• 329. Memorandum From the Presidentʼs Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon, Washington, December 21, 1971

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 38, Presidentʼs Daily Briefs. Top Secret; Sensitive; Codeword.

• 331. Memorandum of Conversation, Bermuda, December 21, 1971, 2:35 p.m.

  Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 27 INDIA–PAK. Secret; Nodis. Drafted on January 13, 1972, by Assistant Secretary for European Affairs Martin J. Hillenbrand. The meeting was held at Government House. The conversation, part I of VIII, was one of a number of exchanges December 20–21 among Prime Minister Edward Heath, Foreign Secretary Sir Alec Douglas-Home, various advisers and members of the British Cabinet, and a U.S. team headed by President Nixon that included Rogers, Connally, Kissinger, and Haldeman.

Vol. XXI, Chile, 1969-1973

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

• 280. Memorandum From Robert Hormats and Arnold Nachmanoff of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), Washington, December 21, 1971

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 776, Country Files, Latin America, Chile, Vol. VI. Secret. Sent for action. Haig initialed the memorandum.

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.

Visit the White House Tapes finding aid to learn about the taping system's operation and archival processing.

Oval Office

• 639-27; Unknown between 5:58 p.m. & 6:07 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Bull, Stephen B.
• 639-28; Unknown between 5:58 p.m. & 6:07 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); White House operator
• 639-29; Unknown between 5:58 p.m. & 6:07 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); White House operator; Mitchell, John N.
• 639-30; 6:07 p.m. - 6:59 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Mitchell, John N.; Haldeman, H. R. ("Bob"); Ehrlichman, John D.

White House Telephone

• 16-128; Unknown between 5:58 p.m. & 10:11 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); White House operator
• 16-129; Unknown between 5:58 p.m. & 10:11 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); White House operator
• 16-130; Unknown between 5:58 p.m. & 10:11 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); White House operator
• 16-131; 10:11 p.m. - 10:35 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Colson, Charles W.
• 16-132; Unknown between 10:35 p.m. & 11:59 p.m.; [Unknown person(s)]; White House operator

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-8083 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-8083-, A dry fountain and its statue. 12/21/1971, Washington, D.C. unknown.

Roll WHPO-8085 Photographer: Schumaker, Byron | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-8085-, President Nixon departure ceremony from Government House. 12/21/1971, Hamilton, Bermuda Government House grounds.
• Frame(s): WHPO-8085-02-17, Outside of Government House, meeting with Prime Minister Heath of Great Britain. 12/20/1971, Hamilton, Bermuda Government House. President Nixon, Edward Heath, William P. Rogers, Henry Kissinger, Sir Alec Douglas-Home.
• Frame(s): WHPO-8085-07, President Nixon meeting with Prime Minister Heath of Great Britain, Secretary of State William Rogers, Lord Martonmere and Sir Alec Douglas-Home outside the Government House in Hamilton, Bermuda. 12/20/1971, Hamilton, Bermuda Government House grounds. President Nixon, Edward Heath, William P. Rogers, Sir Alec Douglas-Home, Lord Martonmere.

Roll WHPO-8086 Photographer: Schumaker, Byron | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-8086-02-13, President Nixon and Prime Minister Edward Heath in a meeting at Government House in Hamilton, Bermuda. 12/21/1971, Hamilton, Bermuda Government House. President Nixon, William P. Rogers, Edward Heath, Henry Kissinger, and Sir Alec Douglas-Home.
• Frame(s): WHPO-8086-14, President Nixon holding a shovel during a tree planting ceremony on the grounds at the Government House in Hamilton, Bermuda. Prime Minister Edward Heath and Lord Martonmere stand nearby. A crowd stands nearby with photographers and secret servicemen. 12/21/1971, Hamilton, Bermuda grounds of the Government House. President Nixon, Edward Heath, Lord Martonmere, officials, crowd, photographers, secret service.
• Frame(s): WHPO-8086-14-34, President Nixon participates in a tree planting ceremony on the grounds at the Government House in Hamilton, Bermuda. 12/21/1971, Hamilton, Bermuda grounds of the Government House. President Nixon, Lord Martonmere, Edward Heath, Gordon R. Groves.
• Frame(s): WHPO-8086-23, Prime Minister Edward Heath holding a shovel during a tree planting ceremony on the grounds at the Government House in Hamilton, Bermuda. President Nixon and Lord Martonmere stand nearby. A crowd stands nearby with photographers and secret servicemen. 12/21/1971, Hamilton, Bermuda grounds of the Government House. President Nixon, Lord Martonmere,Gordon R. Groves, crowd, officials, secret service, photographers.

Roll WHPO-8087 Photographer: Schumaker, Byron | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-8087-01-09, Press conference with President Nixon and Edward Heath. 12/21/1971, Hamilton, Bermuda Government House in Hamilton, Bermuda. President Nixon, Edward Heath.
• Frame(s): WHPO-8087-08A, President Nixon at the microphone during a press conference with Prime Minister Edward Heath in Hamilton, Bermuda. Secretary of State William Rogers and Alec Douglas-Home stand nearby. Officials stand nearby. 12/21/1971, Hamilton, Bermuda Government House in Hamilton, Bermuda. President Nixon, Edward Heath, William Rogers, Alec Douglas-Home, officials, unidentified persons.
• Frame(s): WHPO-8087-10-16, Departure of President Nixon from Hamilton, Bermuda. 12/21/1971, Hamilton, Bermuda Government House Hamilton, Bermuda. President Nixon, Lord and Lady Martonmere, and Edward Heath.

Roll WHPO-8089 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-8089-, The Anderson House exterior. 12/21/1971, Hamilton, Bermuda Anderson House.
• Frame(s): WHPO-8089-, The Anderson House exterior. 12/21/1971, Hamilton, Bermuda Anderson House.
• Frame(s): WHPO-8089-, The Anderson House exterior. 12/21/1971, Hamilton, Bermuda Anderson House.
• Frame(s): WHPO-8089-, The Anderson House exterior. 12/21/1971, Hamilton, Bermuda Anderson House.

Roll WHPO-8090 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-8090-, President Nixon shaking hands with Caretakers of Anderson House. 12/21/1971, Hamilton, Bermuda Anderson House. President Nixonand Caretakers of Anderson House.
• Frame(s): WHPO-8090-, President Nixon shaking hands with Caretakers of Anderson House. 12/21/1971, Hamilton, Bermuda Anderson House. President Nixon and Caretakers of Anderson House.

Roll WHPO-8091 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-8091-, The Anderson House exterior. 12/21/1971, Bermuda Anderson House.
• Frame(s): WHPO-8091-, The Anderson House exterior. 12/21/1971, Bermuda Anderson House.
• Frame(s): WHPO-8091-, View of the coast and ocean near Anderson House in Bermuda. 12/21/1971, Bermuda Anderson House.
• Frame(s): WHPO-8091-08A, The Anderson House exterior. 12/21/1971, Bermuda Anderson House.

Roll WHPO-8102 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-8102-, Christmas party for Diplomatic children. 12/21/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, East Room. Pat Nixon.
• Frame(s): WHPO-8102-, Christmas Party for Diplomatic children. 12/21/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, East Room. Pat Nixon.
• Frame(s): WHPO-8102-07, Pat Nixon seated in a crowd of children during the White House Christmas Party for Diplomatic children. 12/21/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, East Room. Pat Nixon, children.

Roll WHPO-8103 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-8103-, Pat Nixon speaking with children from the Diplomatic Corps at a White House East Room Christmas Christmas Party given for them. 12/21/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, East Room. Pat Nixon, children.
• Frame(s): WHPO-8103-16, Pat Nixon standing near a microphon and speaking to children from the Diplomatic Corps at a White House East Room Christmas Christmas Party given for them. Many of the children in the first row hold ballon animals. 12/21/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, East Room. Pat Nixon, children.
• Frame(s): WHPO-8103-23, Pat Nixon speaking with a group of children from the Diplomatic Corps, at a White House East Room Christmas Christmas Party given for them. 12/21/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, East Room. Pat Nixon, children.

Roll WHPO-8104 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-8104-, Pat Nixon with children from the Diplomatic Corps, at a White House East Room Christmas Christmas Party given for them. 12/21/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, East Room. Pat Nixon, children.
• Frame(s): WHPO-8104-, Christmas Party for Diplomatic children. 12/21/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, East Room. Pat Nixon, children.
• Frame(s): WHPO-8104-14, Pat Nixon seated with children from the Diplomatic Corps as clowns perform at a White House East Room Christmas Christmas Party thrown for them. 12/21/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, East Room. Pat Nixon, children.

Roll WHPO-8105 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-8105-, Christmas Party for Diplomatic children. 12/21/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, East Room. Pat Nixon.
• Frame(s): WHPO-8105-, Christmas Party for Diplomatic children. 12/21/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, East Room. Pat Nixon.

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.

C - First Lady

• WHCA-SR-C-094
  Remarks by Pat Nixon at the diplomatic children's Christmas program, with Yogi Bear, BooBoo Bear, Bullwinkle Moose and Mr. Ranger Smith. (12/21/1971, East Room, The White House)
  
  Runtime: 0:34:29
  
  Production credits: Audio feed supplied by WHCA; Recorded by WJN (initials of WHCA engineer)
  
  Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original. Technical notes: 1 hour 4 mintes and 15 seconds of silence at end of original recording removed from access copies.

H - White House Staff Member Recordings

• WHCA-SR-H-481
  Press briefing by Herbert Klein and Clark MacGregor. (12/21/1971, Room 9104, New Executive Office Building)
  
  Runtime: [Nonelisted]
  
  Keywords: Press conferences, news conferences, interviews, media
  
  Production credits: Audio feed supplied by WHCA; Recorded by ATF (initials of WHCA engineer)
  
  Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.
• WHCA-SR-H-482
  Press briefing by Prime Minister Edward Heath. (12/21/1971, Bermuda)
  
  Runtime: 30:00:00
  
  Keywords: Press conferences, news conferences, interviews, media
  
  Production credits: Audio feed supplied by WHCA; Recorded by REE (initials of WHCA engineer)
  
  Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.

K - Informal Presidential Remarks

• WHCA-SR-K-251
  Departure ceremony, Navy Air Station-Bermuda. (12/21/1971)
  
  Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.
• WHCA-SR-K-251
  Tree planting ceremony at govt. house-Bermuda. (12/21/1971)
  
  Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.

P - Formal Presidential Remarks

• WHCA-SR-P-711220
  Remarks by President Nixon on conclusion of talks with Prime Minister Heath in Hamilton, Bermuda. (12/21/1971)
  
  Runtime: 2:25
  
  Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.
• WHCA-SR-P-711221
  NBC program A Day in the Life of the President aired 12/21/71. (12/21/1971)
  
  Runtime: 60:00:00
  
  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-4901
  "What's Happened to the Army?". Mayor of Los Angeles Sam Yorty.
  WETA
  Runtime: 00:57:48
• WHCA-4902
  "The Advocates". The Advocates discuss whether the President should be limited to one six year term
  ALL NETWORKS
  Runtime: 01:05:38
• WHCA-4903
  NBC Special, "December 6, 1971: A Day in the Presidency". India and Pakistan War, Labor Disputes in Transportation, Revenue Sharing, Domestic Council, Price Control, Inflation, Trade, Drug Control, Tricia's Birthday, China (People's Republic of China)
  ALL NETWORKS
  Runtime: 00:59:05
• WHCA-4904
  NBC Special: "The Road to Vietnam", Part I of II.
  Eastern Educational Network
  Runtime: 01:06:27
• WHCA-4905
  "Martin Agronsky: Evening Edition" AND "The Seven Summits", Nixon Meets Heath".
  Post-Newsweek Stations, Inc.
  Runtime: 1:00
• WHCA-4906
  NBC News Special, "The Death of Diem", part 2I. FTN: U.S. Senator Mike Mansfield; "MTP": Secretary of Agriculture Earl Butz; "I&A": Lakshmi Kant Jha, Ambassador to the United States from India.
  CBS, NBC, ABC
  Runtime: 00:59:31
• WHCA-4910
  Weekly News Summary, Tape I.
  ALL NETWORKS
  Runtime: 01:35:49
  
  32. Reasoner: United Nations (U.N.) has new Secretary General, Kurt Walheim. Time Code Start: 69:30. Keywords: cabinet, advisors, organization of nations, intergovernmental alliance. Network: ABC.
  
  33. Smith/Jarriel/Watson: U.S. dollar on foreign markets and British Prime Minister Heath; President Nixon summit meeting. Time Code Start: 71:18. Keywords: Presidents, travel, trips, Nixon trips, international, Caribbean, Prime Ministers, meetings, imports, taxes. Network: ABC.
  
  34. Reasoner: Commentary on the Women's Liberation publication titled MS magazine. Time Code Start: 75:30. Keywords: media, magazines, publications, Feminism, Feminist movement, women's rights, Womens Liberation, equality, equal rights, gender, civil rights, activists, women, activists, special interest groups. Network: ABC.
  
  35. Utley: United Nations (U.N.) has new Secretary General, Kurt Walheim. Time Code Start: 77:29. Keywords: cabinet, advisors, organization of nations, intergovernmental alliance. Network: NBC.
  
  36. Utley: President Nixon ends talks with British Prime Minister Heath in Bermuda. Time Code Start: 79:50. Keywords: Presidents, travel, trips, Nixon trips, international, Caribbean, Prime Ministers, meetings, imports, taxes. Network: NBC.
  
  37. Utley: Preview of "A Day in the life of the President". Time Code Start: 81:05. Keywords: Presidents, activities, documentary, reports. Network: NBC.
  
  38. Brinkley: Commentary on tax cut bill. Time Code Start: 84:08. Keywords: bills, laws, reforms, taxes, taxation, revenue, reductions, decreases, reports. Network: NBC.
  
  39. Utley/Stern: Supreme Court justices Lewis Powell and William Rehnquist honored and luncheon. Time Code Start: 86:20. Keywords: law officials, judges, justices, courts, trials, investigations, nominees, appointments, confirmations, celebrations. Network: NBC.
  
  40. Cronkite/Hottelet: New United Nations (U.N.) Secretary General, Kurt Walheim. Time Code Start: 88:37. Keywords: cabinet, advisors, organization of nations, intergovernmental alliance, leaders. Network: CBS.
  
  41. Cronkite: House Speaker Albert critical of President Nixon Administration. Time Code Start: 91:19. Keywords: Presidents, criticisms. Network: CBS.
  
  42. Cronkite: White House approves increase in oil imports. Time Code Start: 91:52. Keywords: energy, petroleum, drilling, oil supply, oil supplies, imports, shortages, sales, costs, increases. Network: CBS.
  
  43. Cronkite/Collingwood: President Nixon returns from talks with British Prime Minister Heath in Bermuda. Time Code Start: 92:11. Keywords: Presidents, travel, trips, Nixon trips, international, Caribbean, Prime Ministers, meetings, imports, taxes. Network: CBS.

• New York Times of December 21, 1971

• AP Images photos from December 21, 1971
• Getty Images photos from December 21, 1971

The Vanderbilt Television News Archive is the world's most extensive and complete archive of television news. They have been recording, preserving and providing access to television news broadcasts of the national networks since August 5, 1968.

• December 1971 Broadcast Index

Wikipedia is a free encyclopedia that anyone can edit.

• December 21, 1971