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December 23, 1970

Introduction

This almanac page for Wednesday, December 23, 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 22, 1970

Next Date: Thursday, December 24, 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.

    Executive Orders

    Statements by the President

    • Water Quality Enforcement Program (6 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 1724, December 23, 1970)
      Statement by the President Upon Signing an Executive Order Providing for the Establishment of a Federal Permit Program To Regulate the Discharge of Waste Into the Waters of the United States.

    Acts Approved by the President

    • H.R. 10634 -- Public Law 91-569
      An Act to amend the Interstate Commerce Act and the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 in order to exempt certain compensation of employees from withholding for income tax purposes under the laws of States or subdivisions thereof other than the State or subdivision of residence or the State or subdivision wherein more than 50 per centum of compensation is earned, and for other purposes.
    • H.R. 4239 -- Public Law 91-570
      An Act to amend the Tariff Schedules of the United States so as to prevent the payment of multiple customs duties in the case of horses temporarily exported for the purpose of racing.
    • H.R. 7830 -- Private Law 91-216
      An Act for the relief of James Howard Griffin.
    • H.R. 9488 -- Private Law 91-217
      An Act for the relief of Mrs. Ruth Brunner.

    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 Russell E. Train, Chairman, Council on Environmental Quality, William D. Ruckelshaus, Administrator, Environmental Protection Agency, and Robert E. Jordan III, Special Assistant to the Secretary of the Army for Civil Functions, on the water quality enforcement program.

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

    The Intelligence Community and the White House

    • 222. Memorandum From Secretary of Defense Laird, Washington, December 23, 1970

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Agency Files, Box 226, Dept of Defense, Vol. X, 1 Dec 70–23 Feb 1971. No classification marking.

    Vol. VII, Vietnam, July 1970-January 1972

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

    • 96. Memorandum for the Record, Washington, December 23, 1970

      Source: National Archives, RG 218, Records of the Chairman, Moorer Diary, July 1970–July 1974. Sensitive; Hold Close Original and Only Copy. Prepared by Moorer.

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

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

    Vol. XX, Southeast Asia, 1969-1972

    Indonesia

    Vol. XXI, Chile, 1969-1973

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

    • 194. Minutes of a Meeting of the Senior Review Group, Washington, December 23, 1970, 5:07-6:17 p.m.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–50, SRG Meeting, Chile, 12/23/70. Secret; Sensitive. A copy was sent to Nachmanoff and Kennedy. The meeting took place in the White House Situation Room. Kissinger “OK’ed” these minutes on the attached December 28 transmittal memorandum from Davis. For the text of the options papers discussed, see Foreign Relations, 1969–1976, vol. E–16, Documents on Chile, 1969–1973, Documents 41 and 42.

    Vol. XLI, Western Europe; NATO, 1969-1972

    Spain

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

    Guatemala

    • 347. Memorandum of Conversation, Washington, December 23, 1970, 12:15 p.m., Washington, December 23, 1970, 12:15 p.m.

      Secretary of State Rogers met with Guatemalan Ambassador Julio Asensio Wunderlich to discuss Guatemala’s request for the sale of military equipment, including 8 A–37B aircraft to be used in counterinsurgency operations.

      Source: Washington National Records Center, OASD/ISA Files, FRC 330–73A–1975, Guatemala 1970, 000.1. Confidential. Drafted on December 31 by Breen and approved in S. In a December 23 briefing memorandum for Rogers, Crimmins provided detailed background on the Guatemalan request for $12 million in arms purchases. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL GUAT–US)

  • 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-5390 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-5390-02A-16A, Various unidentified men during lunch. 12/23/1970, unknown unknown. unidentified men.

    Roll WHPO-5391 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-5391-02A-36A, Pat Nixon interacting with guests and Santa Claus at the Christmas Party for White House Press Corps and their families. 12/23/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, East Room. Pat Nixon, unidentified guests.

    Roll WHPO-5392 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-5392-02-24, Guests and Santa Claus at the Christmas Party for White House Press Corps and their families. 12/23/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, East Room. unidentified guests, Santa Claus, unidentified band members.

    Roll WHPO-5393 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-5393-01-03, President Nixon meeting with Nathaniel Owings and Russell Train with John Whitaker. 12/23/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Nathaniel Owings, Russell Train, John Whitaker.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-5393-08-14, President Nixon meeting with Frank E. Fitzsimmons and Assistant Secretary of Labor for Labor-Management Relations William Usery, Jr. 12/23/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Frank E. Fitzsimmons, William Julian Usery, Jr.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-5393-08A, President Nixon and Frank E. Fitzsimmons standing together during an Oval Office meeting. 12/23/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Frank E. Fitzsimmons.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-5393-10A, President Nixon at his Oval Office desk signing the Interstate Taxation Bill H.R. 10634. Frank E. Fitzsimmons and an unidentified aide or guest stand behind the president. 12/23/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Frank E. Fitzsimmons, unidentified aide or guest.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-5393-14-19, Ron Ziegler and Herb Klein meeting with network executives. 12/23/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, interior. Ron Ziegler, Herb Klein, unidentified network executives.

    Roll WHPO-5394 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-5394-, Oval Office interior with the couches and desk and President Coat of Arms visible on carpet. 12/23/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-5394-02, Oval Office interior with the couches and desk and President Coat of Arms visible on carpet. 12/23/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office.

    Roll WHPO-5395 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-5395-, Oval Office exterior, desk and curtains. 12/23/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-5395-01, Oval Office interior, desk, flags and Presidential Coat of Arms visible on carpet. 12/23/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office.

    Roll WHPO-5396 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-5396-01A-32A, Fish eye lens distortion of Oval Office. 12/23/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-5396-10, Fish eye lens distortion view of Oval Office interior. 12/23/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-5396-12, Fish eye lens distortion view of Oval Office interior, desk, flags. 12/23/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office.

    Roll WHPO-5397 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-5397-03-22, Pat Nixon greeting the crowd at the Christmas Open House for the White House Press Corps and their families in the East Room. 12/23/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, East Room. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, unidentified guests, reporters, editors, photographers, and their children.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-5397-15, President Nixon playing piano at the Christmas Open House for the White House Press Corps and their families in the East Room. Children of the press corps families gather around him singing. Their parents stand in the background listening in the crowd. 12/23/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, East Room. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, unidentified guests, reporters, editors, photographers, and their children.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-5397-18, President Nixon greeting guests in a crowd, at the Christmas Open House for the White House Press Corps and their families in the East Room. Children of the press corps families are gathered around him. 12/23/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, East Room. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, unidentified guests, reporters, editors, photographers, and their children.

  • 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.

    F - Secretary of State Briefings

    • WHCA-SR-F-011
      Press conference by Sec. Rogers. (12/23/1970, State Department)

      Runtime: 56:00:00

      Production credits: Audio feed supplied by State Department; Recorded by LRR (initials of WHCA engineer)

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

    H - White House Staff Member Recordings

    • WHCA-SR-H-310
      Press briefing by the Environmental Protection Agency with William Ruckelshaus, Russell Train, and Robert Jordan. (12/23/1970, Press Lobby, White House)

      Runtime: 0:35:44

      Keywords: Press conferences, news conferences, interviews, media

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

      Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.
    • WHCA-SR-H-311
      Press briefing by John D. Ehrlichman, Robert Finch, George Shultz. (12/23/1970, Press Lobby, White House)

      Runtime: 1:59:00

      Keywords: Press conferences, news conferences, interviews, media

      Production credits: Audio feed supplied by WHCA; Recorded by LRR (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-4052
      Weekly News Summary, Tape II.
      All networks
      Runtime: 00:46:42

      1. Reasoner: POWs. Time Code Start: 00:00. Keywords: Vietnam War, Vietnam Prisoner of War. Network: ABC.

      2. Geer: Secretary of State Rogers on POWs. Time Code Start: 00:55. Keywords: cabinet, advisors, Vietnam War, Vietnam Prisoner of War. Network: ABC.

      3. Reasoner: Army spies. Time Code Start: 02:22. Keywords: Armed Forces, military, espionage, spies, spying, operatives, investigations. Network: ABC.

      4. Smith: Commentary on POWs. Time Code Start: 02:58. Keywords: Vietnam War, Vietnam Prisoner of War. Network: ABC.

      5. Brinkley: POWs (Note: ABC has Howard K. Smith Commentary on POWs exploitation on this date). Time Code Start: 04:47. Keywords: Vietnam War, Vietnam Prisoner of War, segment not noted in Vanderbilt News archive, needs review confirmation of topic. Network: NBC.

      6. Chancellor: POWs with Secretary of State Rogers. Time Code Start: 05:36. Keywords: cabinet, advisors, Vietnam War, Vietnam Prisoner of War. Network: NBC.

      7. Cronkite: POWs. Time Code Start: 08:42. Keywords: Vietnam War, Vietnam Prisoner of War. Network: CBS.

      8. Kalb: POWs with Secretary of State Rogers. Time Code Start: 09:00. Keywords: cabinet, advisors, Vietnam War, Vietnam Prisoner of War. Network: CBS.

      9. Cronkite: POWs and the Vietnam war. Time Code Start: 12:04. Keywords: Vietnam War, Vietnam Prisoner of War. Network: CBS.

      10. Cronkite: Secretary of State Rogers on the Middle East. Time Code Start: 13:11. Keywords: Middle East, Mideast, war, cabinet, advisors, speeches, statements. Network: CBS.

      11. Pierpoint: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Ruckelshaus on Pollution Law. Time Code Start: 13:45. Keywords: Presidents, appointments, confirmations, cabinet, advisors, ecology, agencies, nominees, directors, bills, laws. Network: CBS.

      12. Cronkite/Lawrence: POWs. Time Code Start: 15:26. Keywords: Vietnam War, Vietnam Prisoner of War. Network: CBS.

Context (External Sources)