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February 16, 1970

Introduction

This almanac page for Monday, February 16, 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: Sunday, February 15, 1970

Next Date: Tuesday, February 17, 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.

    Addresses and Remarks

    • National Medal of Science (6 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 190, February 16, 1970)
      The President's Remarks at the Presentation Ceremony in the East Room.
    • The President's Foreign Policy Report (6 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 239, February 16, 1970)
      Remarks of the President to Members of the Press Attending a Background Briefing on the President's Report to the Congress. Delivered February 16, 1970. Released February 18, 1970.

    Announcements

    • Disaster Assistance for California (6 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 192, February 16, 1970)
      Announcement of Declaration and Authorization of Federal Funds for Repair of Damage Caused by Flooding.

    Congress, Communications to

    • National Science Foundation (6 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 192, February 16, 1970)
      The President's Message to the Congress Transmitting the Foundation's Annual Report.

    Executive Orders

    Statements by the President

    • School Desegregation Plans (6 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 191, February 16, 1970)
      Statement by the President Upon Designating a Cabinet-Level Working Group To Explore Executive Branch Assistance to Local Communities.

    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 today designated Col. Dee Ingold as Acting Director of the Selective Service System.

    Nominations Submitted to the Senate

    Does not include promotions of members of the Uniformed Services, nominations to the Service Academies, or nominations of Foreign Service Officers.

    • STUART W. ROCKWELL, of Pennsylvania, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Kingdom of Morocco.
    • THEODORE C. MARRS, of Alabama, to be Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs, vice Ernest Louis Massad, resigned.
    • MALCOLM R. WILKEY, of New York, to be a United States Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia Circuit, vice Warren E. Burger, elevated.
    • JOHN A. BIRKNES, JR., of Massachusetts, to be United States Marshal for the District of Massachusetts for the term of 4 years, vice Albert A. Gammal, resigned.

  • 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.

    No Federal Register published on this date

  • 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. I, Foundations of Foreign Policy, 1969-1972

    Foundations of Foreign Policy, 1969-1972

    • 58. White House Background Press Briefing by the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) , Washington, February 16, 1970

      Source: Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Kissinger Papers, Box CL 425, Subject File, Background Briefings, Feb-June 1970. Kissinger, Under Secretary of State Elliot Richardson, and Deputy Secretary of Defense David Packard were responding to questions concerning an advance text of the President’s report to Congress on foreign policy, which had been distributed to reporters. The report was sent to Congress on February 18; see Document 60. Kissinger opened the briefing.

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

    Managing the Department of State

    Vol. VI, Vietnam, January 1969-July 1970

    Vietnam, January 1969-July 1970

    Vol. XL, Germany and Berlin, 1969-1972

    Germany and Berlin, 1969-1972

    • 55. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon, Washington, February 16, 1970

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 683, Country Files, Europe, Germany, Vol. IV. Confidential; Nodis. Sent for information. According to another copy, Sonnenfeldt drafted the memorandum on February 11. (Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Kissinger Papers, Box CL 288, Memoranda to the President, 1969–74, Jan.–Feb. 1970) Sonnenfeldt forwarded the memorandum to Kissinger (through Haig) on the same day; Kissinger, who had requested the report “some days ago,” approved it on February 16 with the comment: “Hal—Excellent. HK.” (Notes from Sonnenfeldt to Haig and Kissinger, both February 11; National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 683, Country Files, Europe, Germany, Vol. IV) The President also wrote on the memorandum: “K—A very perceptive piece.” A stamped note indicates he saw it on February 20. (Ibid.) Excerpts from the memorandum were published in Kissinger’s memoirs. (White House Years, pp. 408–409, 529–530)

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

    France

    • 138. Minutes of a National Security Council Review Group Meeting , Washington, February 16, 1970, noon-12:45 p.m.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–111, Senior Review Group, SRG Minutes Originals 1970. Secret. The meeting took place in the White House Situation Room.

    Vol. E-5, Part 1, Documents on Sub-Saharan Africa, 1969-1972

    Nigerian Civil War

    • 186. Memorandum From the Presidentʼs Deputy Assistant for National Security Affairs (Haig) to the Presidentʼs Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) , Washington, February 16, 1970

      Haig reported that the Biafrans might have reversed their attitude towards the Central Government and attached a CIA report on which that view was based. He cautioned against reliance on ultra liberal attitudes that had prolonged the war by their insistence that the Biafrans would be wiped out if the Central Government prevailed. He advised against nit-picking the Central Government, and did not share National Security Council Staffer Roger Morrisʼs attitude with respect to the plight of the Biafrans.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 18, Presidentʼs Daily Briefs. Secret; Noforn. The attachments to the memorandum at Tab A are not published.

  • 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-2959 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2959-11A-17A, President Nixon standing with Carole Bassman, staff secretary and Morris Bronson, Sgt., W.H. Communications Agency. 2/16/1970, Washington, D.C. White House Oval Office. President Nixon, Carole Bassman, Morris Bronson.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2959-18A-21A, President Nixon standing with Carole Bassman, staff secretary, Morris Bronson, Sgt., W.H. Communications Agency, Lee Huebner, and Bill Gavin. 2/16/1970, Washington, D.C. White House Oval Office. President Nixon, Carole Bassman, Morris Bronson.

    Roll WHPO-2960 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2960-03-20, President Nixon presenting the National Medal of Science Awards. 2/16/1970, Washington, D.C. White House East Room. President Nixon, unidentified others.

    Roll WHPO-2961 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2961-04-06, President Nixon at the Business Council Dinner at the Mayflower Hotel. 2/16/1970, Washington, D.C. Mayflower Hotel. President Nixon.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2961-07-27, Clowco Achievement Award to Mr. Davies. 2/16/1970, Washington, D.C. unknown location. John Davies, unidentified men.

    Roll WHPO-2962 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2962-01A-19A, Constance Stuart, Pat Nixon's staff director, briefing the press corps. 2/16/1970, Washington, D.C. Constance Stuart, press corps members.

    Roll WHPO-2963 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2963-03-21, President Nixon standing with Gen. Mark W. Clark, Chairman, American Battle Monuments Commission, Harry S. Dent, Special Counsel and members of the American Battle Monuments Commission. 2/16/1970, Washington, D.C. White House Oval Office. President Nixon, Gen. Mark W. Clark, Harry S. Dent.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2963-22-26, President Nixon sitting during a meeting with Gen. Mark W. Clark, Chairman, American Battle Monuments Commission, Harry S. Dent, Special Counsel and members of the American Battle Monuments Commission. 2/16/1970, Washington, D.C. White House Oval Office. President Nixon, Gen. Mark W. Clark, Harry S. Dent.

    Roll WHPO-2964 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2964-03-09, President Nixon briefing the press. 2/16/1970, Washington, D.C. White House East Room. President Nixon, press corps members.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2964-10, President Nixon leaving with an unidentified man. 2/16/1970, Washington, D.C. White House East Room. President Nixon, unidentified man.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2964-11, Unidentified man. 2/16/1970, Washington, D.C. White House East Room. President Nixon, unidentified man.

    Roll WHPO-9766 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-9766-, Two sets of photos of the West Wing in winter taken from the Rose Garden. 2/16/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Rose Garden.

  • 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-126
      Press briefing on a Foreign Policy Report to the Congress with remarks by Henry Kissinger, Elliott Richardson and David Packard, and with an introduction by President Nixon. (2/16/1970, East Room, White House)

      Runtime: 1:02:23

      Keywords: Europe, Russia, Soviet Union, USSR, assured desctruction, N.A.T.O., North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Europe, military, Cold War, multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle (MIRV), ballistic missile, A.B.M., A.B.M.T., anti-ballistic missiles, SAL

      Production credits: Audio feed supplied by "WHCA only"; Recorded by RHD (initials of WHCA engineer)

      Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.
    • WHCA-SR-H-127
      Briefing by Henry Kissinger regarding on-going talks on Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty (ABMs) and MIRVs (multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles). (2/16/1970, Roosevelt Room, White House)

      Runtime: 1:27:18

      Keywords: A.B.M., A.B.M.T., anti-ballistic missiles, Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty, multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle (MIRV), ballistic missile, Russia, Soviet Union, USSR, Briefings, public briefings, statements to the press (see also Press confere

      Production credits: Audio feed supplied by "WHCA only"; Recorded by JLS (initials of WHCA engineer)

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

    I - Various Administration Events

    • WHCA-SR-I-026
      Sunday worship service, with Reverend Billy Graham and the Bucknell College Choir. (2/16/1970, East Room, White House)

      Runtime: 30:00:00

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

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

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

    P - Formal Presidential Remarks

    • WHCA-SR-P-700214
      Presentation of National Medal of Science Award. (2/16/1970)

      Runtime: 7:15

      Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.
    • WHCA-SR-P-700215
      Remarks by President Nixon prior to briefing by Dr. Lee A. DuBridge, Ronald Ziegler, HAK, ER, Undersecretary David Packard. (2/16/1970)

      Runtime: 5:29

      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-3638
      Weekly News Summary.
      All networks
      Runtime: 0:30

      1. Report on President Nixon's stand on busing. Time Code Start: 00:55. Keywords: Presidents, speeches, bills, legislation, desegregation, schools, students, transportation, reports. Network: CBS.

      2. Analysis of the busing problem. Time Code Start: 03:08. Keywords: bills, legislation, desegregation, racial discrimination, African Americans, schools, students, transportation, reports. Network: NBC.

Context (External Sources)