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December 24, 1970

Introduction

This almanac page for Thursday, December 24, 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: Wednesday, December 23, 1970

Next Date: Friday, December 25, 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.

    Statements by the President

    • Christmas, 1970 (6 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 1726, December 24, 1970)
      Statement by the President.

    Veto Messages

    Acts Approved by the President

    • H.R. 2669 -- Public Law 91-571
      An Act to amend section 213(a) of the Wax Claims Act of 1948 with respect to claims of certain nonprofit organizations and certain claims of individuals.
    • H.R. 8663 -- Public Law 91-582
      An Act to amend the Act of September 20, 1968 (Public Law 90-502), to provide relief to certain former officers of the Supply Corps and Civil Engineers Corps of the Navy.
    • H.R. 14421 -- Private Law 91-218
      An Act to provide for the conveyance of certain property of the United States located in Lawrence County, South Dakota, to John and Ruth Rachetto.
    • H.R. 15805 -- Private Law 91-219
      An Act for the relief of Warren Bearcloud, Perry Pretty Paint, Agatha Horse Chief House, Marie Pretty Paint Wallace, Nancy Paint Littlelight, and Pern Pretty Paint Not Afraid.
    • H.R. 15911 -- Public Law 91-588
      An Act to amend title 38 of the United States Code to increase the rates, income limitations, and aid and attendance allowances relating to payment of pension and parents' dependency and indemnity compensation; to exclude certain payments in determining annual income with respect to such pension and compensation; to make the Mexican border period a period of war for the purposes of such title; and for other purposes.
    • H.R. 18012 -- Public Law 91-586
      An Act to amend the Foreign Service Buildings Act, 1926, to authorize additional appropriations.
    • H.R. 19846 -- Public Law 91-579
      Animal Welfare Act of 1970.
    • S. 368 -- Public Law 91-581
      Geothermal Steam Act of 1970.
    • S. 528 -- Public Law 91-583
      An Act to provide that the reservoir formed by the lock and dam referred to as the "Millers Ferry lock and dam" on the Alabama River, Alabama, shall hereafter be known as the William "Bill" Dannelly Reservoir.
    • S. 1079 -- Public Law 91-575
      An Act consenting to the Susquehanna River Basin compact, enacting the same into law thereby making the United States a signatory party; making certain reservations on behalf of the United States, and for related purposes.
    • S. 1100 -- Public Law 91-576
      An Act to designate the comprehensive Missouri River Basin development program as the Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin program.
    • S. 1499 -- Public Law 91-573
      An Act to name the authorized lock and dam numbered 17 on the Verdigris River in Oklahoma for the Chouteau family.
    • S. 1500 -- Public Law 91-585
      An Act to name the authorized lock and dam numbered 18 on the Verdigris River in Oklahoma and the lake created thereby for Newt Graham.
    • S. 2108 -- Public Law 91-572
      Family Planning Services and Population Research Act of 1970.
    • S. 2336 -- Private Law 91-220
      An Act relating to the parishes and congregations of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the District of Columbia.
    • S. 3070 -- Public Law 91-577
      Plant Variety Protection Act.
    • S. 3192 -- Public Law 91-574
      An Act to designate the navigation lock on the Sacramento deepwater ship channel in the State of California as the William G. Stone navigation lock.
    • S. 3479 -- Public Law 91-578
      An Act to amend section 2 of the Act of June 30, 1954, as amended, providing for the continuance of civil government for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands.
    • S. 3785 -- Public Law 91-584
      An Act to authorize educational assistance to wives and children, and home loan benefits to wives, of members of the Armed Forces who are missing in action, captured by a hostile force, or interned by a foreign government or power; and to further amend certain educational sections of title 38, United States Code.
    • S. 4083 -- Public Law 91-587
      An Act to modify and enlarge the authority of Gallaudet College to maintain and operate the Kendall School as a demonstration elementary school for the deaf to serve primarily the National Capital region, and for other purposes.
    • S. 4557 -- Public Law 91-580
      An Act to amend Public Law 91-273 to increase the authorization for appropriations to the Atomic Energy Commission in accordance with section 261 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, and for other purposes.
    • S.J. Res. 236 -- Public Law 91-589
      Joint Resolution authorizing the preparation and printing of a revised edition of the Constitution of the United States of America-Analysis and Interpretation, of decennial revised editions thereof, and of biennial cumulative supplements to such revised editions.

    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 Dr. Paul W. McCracken, Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers, on the Consumer Price Index figures.

    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 President went to the Home for Incurables in Northwest Washington, D.C., to visit with patients and members of the staff.

  • 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

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-5398 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-5398-01A-03A, President Nixon meeting with Secretary of the Treasury David Kennedy, Council of Economic Advisors Chairman Dr. Paul W. McCracken, George Shultz and Economic Aide Peter M. Flanigan. 12/24/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, interior. President Nixon, David M. Kennedy, Dr. Paul W. McCracken, Labor Secretary George P. Shultz, Peter M. Flanigan.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-5398-03, President Nixon meeting with Secretary of the Treasury David Kennedy, Council of Economic Advisors Chairman Dr. Paul W. McCracken, George Shultz and Economic Aide Peter M. Flanigan. 12/24/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, interior. President Nixon, David M. Kennedy, Dr. Paul W. McCracken, Labor Secretary George P. Shultz, Peter M. Flanigan.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-5398-05-14, Henry Kissinger and others standing in his office. 12/24/1970, Washington, D.C. Kissinger's office. Henry Kissinger.

    Roll WHPO-5399 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-5399-02A-14A, Herb Klein receiving a Catholic Bible for the President. 12/24/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, interior. Herb Klein, unidentified male.

    Roll WHPO-5401 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-5401-01A-12A, Presentation of a cabinet chair gift to Vice President Agnew. 12/24/1970, Washington, D.C. unknown. Spiro Agnew, unidentified staff members.

  • 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-312
      Press briefing by Henry Kissinger. (12/24/1970, Press Center, White House)

      Runtime: 1:12:00

      Keywords: Press conferences, news conferences, interviews, media

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

      Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.
    • WHCA-SR-H-313
      Press briefing by Paul McCracken and Ronald Ziegler. (12/24/1970, Press Lobby, White House)

      Runtime: 17:00

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

      Production credits: Audio feed supplied by WHCA; Recorded by CAL (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-4047
      American Enterprise Institute Debates for the '70's #3, Reel 1. Senator Barry F. Goldwater, Jr. and George Reedy, Press Secretary for President Johnson, Karen Black, James Brown.
      Daphne Productions and Roland & Jaffee Productions
      Runtime: 1:00
    • WHCA-4048
      American Enterprise Institute Debates for the '70's #3, Reel 2. Buck May, White House Photographer.
      Group W Productions, Inc.
      Runtime: 1:00
    • WHCA-4049
      "A Children's Christmas at the White House" (0-00:30:00); 12/7/1970 WTOP weather with Tim O'Brian; CBS Morning News with John Hart; Early Morning Local Edition of WTOP news (00:30:00-01:00:00). Christmas show in the East Room hosted by Pat Nixon. CBS (WTOP) News, topics include: Peam Chikan (Cambodia); planned resignation of James Farmer (Assistant Welfare Secretary); Linden, NJ, oil refinery fire (including emotional interview with worker and t
      Undetermined
      Runtime: 01:00:00
    • WHCA-4052
      Weekly News Summary, Tape II.
      All networks
      Runtime: 00:46:42

      13. Smith/Geer/Gill: Cost of living. Time Code Start: 22:05. Keywords: economy, economics, budgets, finances, recession, inflation, money, wages, costs, unemployment, prices, reports. Network: ABC.

      14. Smith: President Nixon's Christmas statement. Time Code Start: 25:07. Keywords: Presidents, speeches, holidays, Christmas. Network: ABC.

      15. Smith/Prannigan: Middle East and Israeli Air Force. Time Code Start: 25:31. Keywords: Middle East, Mideast, Israeli, war, military, Armed Forces. Network: ABC.

      16. Reasoner/Wordham: Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) and radioactive. Time Code Start: 27:55. Keywords: Cannikin, Spartan anti-ballistic missile (ABM) interceptor, underground tests, nuclear weapons, atomic bombs, explosions, Aleutian Islands, nuclear power, ecosystem ecology, radiation protection. Network: ABC.

      17. Reasoner: Commentary on "what's good with us". Time Code Start: 30:30. Keywords: media, reports, lifestyles. Network: ABC.

      18. Brinkley: Cost of living; nflation up .3% last month; Average pay down last month; 1st gross national product decrease in 12 years; higher figure due to inflation. Time Code Start: 32:35. Keywords: economy, economics, budgets, finances, recession, inflation, money, wages, costs, unemployment, prices, reports. Network: NBC.

      19. Briggs: "The Jews take over! (Milwaukee, Wisconsin)". Time Code Start: 35:23. Keywords: American, Jews, Jewish, Hebrew, Judaism, Israel. Network: NBC.

      20. Cronkite/Stanley/Rather: Cost of living. Time Code Start: 38:34. Keywords: economy, economics, budgets, finances, recession, inflation, money, wages, costs, unemployment, prices, reports. Network: CBS.

      21. Cronkite: POW mail from North Vietnam. Time Code Start: 42:25. Keywords: Vietnam War, Vietnam Prisoner of War, U.S. Postal Service, U.S. Post Office, letters, military, troops, prisons. Network: CBS.

Context (External Sources)