July 15, 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 San Clemente, California

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.

• Memorandums About the Combined Federal Campaign.
• Remarks to the Nation Announcing Acceptance of an Invitation To Visit the People's Republic of China.

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 Thursday, July 15, 1971

The Congressional Record is the official daily record of the debates and proceedings of the U.S. Congress.

• House of Representatives: July 15, 1971
• Senate: July 15, 1971
• Extensions of Remarks: July 15, 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 July 15, 1971
• Date search for July 15, 1971

All National Archives Units

• Text search for July 15, 1971
• Date search for July 15, 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 15 July 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. I, Foundations of Foreign Policy, 1969-1972

Foundations of Foreign Policy, 1969-1972

• 92. Remarks by President Nixon to the Nation

  Source: Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: Richard Nixon, 1971, pp. 819-820. Nixon’s remarks were broadcast live on radio and television at 7:31 p.m. from the NBC studios in Burbank, California.

Vol. V, United Nations, 1969-1972

Chinese Representation in the United Nations

• 374. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in the Republic of China, Washington, July 15, 1971, 0141Z

  Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, UN 6 CHICOM. Secret; Nodis. Drafted by Starbird, cleared by Sean Holly, and approved by Assistant Secretary Green. Repeated to Tokyo, Hong Kong, and USUN and to Secretary Rogers at San Clemente as Tosec 118.

Vol. XI, South Asia Crisis, 1971

South Asia Crisis, 1971

• 102. Telegram From the Embassy in Pakistan to the Department of State, Islamabad, July 15, 1971, 1235Z

  Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, SOC 10 PAK. Confidential; Priority; Exdis. Repeated to USUN, Geneva, Dacca, Karachi, and Lahore.

Vol. XIII, Soviet Union, October 1970-October 1971

"One of Two Routes": Soviet-American Relations and Kissinger's Secret Trip to China, April 23-July 18, 1971

• 284. Transcript of a Telephone Conversation Between the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) and the Soviet Ambassador (Dobrynin), July 15, 1971, 9:45 p.m., PDT

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, Kissinger Telephone Conversation Transcripts, Box 27, Dobrynin File. No classification marking. Kissinger was in San Clemente; Dobrynin was in Washington at the White House. For their memoir accounts, see Kissinger, White House Years, p. 835, and Dobrynin, In Confidence, pp. 226–227.

• 285. Oral Note From President Nixon to the Soviet Leadership, Washington, July 15, 1971

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 492, President’s Trip Files, Dobrynin/Kissinger, 1971, Vol. 7 [part 2]. No classification marking. Kissinger made several handwritten corrections on a draft of the note (ibid.); substantive changes are noted below. According to Kissinger: “On July 15, about forty-five minutes before the announcement [at 10 p.m.] of my trip to Peking, we sent a message to the Soviet leaders through Vorontsov.” (Kissinger, White House Years, p. 835) Marginalia on the original, however, indicate that it was “handed to Amb D by Col Kennedy 9:45 p.m., 7/15/71.” See also Document 284.

Vol. XXIV, Middle East Region and Arabian Peninsula, 1969-1972; Jordan, September 1970

Saudi Arabia

• 153. Memorandum Prepared in the Central Intelligence Agency, Washington, July 15, 1971

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 1277, Saunders Files, Saudi Arabia. Secret.

Vol. E-2, Documents on Arms Control and Nonproliferation, 1969-1972

Conferences on Nuclear and World Disarmament and Soviet UN Initiative on Non-Use of Force

• 329. Study Prepared by Ad Hoc Interagency Group, Washington, July 15, 1971

  Prepared in response to NSSM 132, the study examined background information, the national positions, advantages and disadvantages, possible topics for discussion, and six alternative approaches to the Soviet proposal for a five-power nuclear disarmament conference.
  
  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–11, Verification Panel Meeting 7/30/72, Soviet Proposal for 5-Power Nuclear Conference. Secret.

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

The Horn

• 321. Telegram 1424 From the Embassy in Somalia to the Department of State, Mogadiscio, July 15, 1971, 1545Z

  Hadsel transmitted a diplomatic note stating that the vessels would be released on payment of the fine, plus expenses or damages claimed by port authority, and warning that further violations would have grave consequences. All concerned parties were satisfied with result and the ships should depart on July 18.
  
  Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 33–4, Somali-US. Confidential; Priority. Repeated to Addis Ababa, Jidda, Bonn, London, Nairobi, Panama, Paris, Rome, USUN, CINCSTRIKE and COMIDEASTFOR.

Vol. E-5, Part 2, Documents on North Africa, 1969-1972

Morocco

• 118. Intelligence Note RAFN-39 Prepared in the Bureau of Intelligence and Research, Washington, July 15, 1971

  This 4 page report speculated that, in the long term, the King’s throne remained in jeopardy from civilian and military discontent.
  
  Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 23–9 MOR. Secret; Noforn; Controlled Dissemination; Limdis. Drafted by Mattson and cleared by Rives.

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

Argentina

• 70. Special National Intelligence Estimate 91–71, Washington, July 15, 1971., Washington, July 15, 1971

  During President Lanusse’s administration, Argentina would experience significant economic and political problems. Although Argentine-United States relations were troubled in some respects, these relations would probably deteriorate under any successor government in the country.
  
  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 768, Country Files, Latin America, Argentina 1969–1971. Secret; Controlled Dissem. According to a note on the cover sheet, the CIA and the intelligence organizations of the Departments of State and Defense and the NSA participated in the preparation of the estimate. All members of the intelligence board concurred in the estimate on February 13 with the exception of the FBI and the Atomic Energy Commission, on the grounds that the subject was outside their jurisdiction. A July 28 covering memorandum from Hewitt to Kissinger that summarized the estimate bears the notation, “HAK has seen.”

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.

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-6818 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-6818-03-05, Henry Kissinger, John Scali, and Ronald Ziegler walking together. 7/15/1971, California unknown. Henry Kissinger, John Scali, Ronald Ziegler, reporters, photographers.
• Frame(s): WHPO-6818-06-23, Henry Kissinger, John Scali, and Ronald Ziegler at a press conference. 7/15/1971, California unknown. Henry Kissinger, John Scali, Ronald Ziegler, reporters, photographers.

Roll WHPO-6819 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-6819-03-05, President Nixon arriving by helicopter. 7/15/1971, Burbank, California NBC Studio helipad. President Nixon, Henry Kissinger, Harry Robbins Haldeman, Ronald Ziegler, Bull, Los Angeles policemen and officials.
• Frame(s): WHPO-6819-06-11, President Nixon announcing his acceptance of an invitation by Premier Chou En-Lai, on behalf of the government of the People's Republic of China, for the President to visit that country at an appropriate date before May, 1972. 7/15/1971, Burbank, Los Angeles, California NBC Studio, broadcasting room. President Nixon, Henry Kissinger, Harry Robbins Haldeman, Ronald Ziegler, Bull, Los Angeles policemen and officials.
• Frame(s): WHPO-6819-12-23, President Nixon shakes hands with policemen and officials after dining at Perino's Restaurant. 7/15/1971, Los Angeles, California city street. President Nixon, Henry Kissinger, Harry Robbins Haldeman, Ronald Ziegler, Bull, Los Angeles policemen and officials.

Roll WHPO-6820 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-6820-03A-18A, President Nixon announcing his acceptance of an invitation by Premier Chou En-Lai, on behalf of the government of the People's Republic of China, for the President to visit that country at an appropriate date before May, 1972. 7/15/1971, Burbank, Los Angeles, California NBC broadcasting room, city street. President Nixon.
• Frame(s): WHPO-6820-19A-26, President Nixon standing with Henry Kissinger and Alexander Perino. 7/15/1971, Los Angeles, California city street. President Nixon, Henry Kissinger, Alexander Perino.
• Frame(s): WHPO-6820-27-35A, President Nixon greets a crowd outside Perino's Restaurant. 7/15/1971, Los Angeles, California city street. President Nixon, crowd.
• Frame(s): WHPO-6820-36A, President Nixon shaking hands with policemen. 7/15/1971, Burbank, Los Angeles, California NBC broadcasting room, city street. President Nixon, policemen.

Roll WHPO-6822 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-6822-03A-14A, President Nixon walking to the NBC broadcasting room. 7/15/1971, Burbank, California NBC Studio street. President Nixon, crowd, aides, media personnel.

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.

B - Vice-Presidential (Agnew and Ford)

• WHCA-SR-B-185
  Remarks in an address to the American Community-Nairobi Hilton Hotel, Kenya. (7/15/1971)
  
  Runtime: 4:05
  
  Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.
• WHCA-SR-B-186
  Arrival remarks-Airport Kinshasha, Congo. (7/15/1971)
  
  Runtime: 0:46
  
  Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.

K - Informal Presidential Remarks

• WHCA-SR-K-223
  NBC Studio, Parinos Restaurant, police at chopper pad; Burbank & L.A., CA. (7/15/1971)
  
  Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.

P - Formal Presidential Remarks

• WHCA-SR-P-710706
  Televised remarks from NBC studio in Burbank regarding forthcoming visit to the People's Republic of China. (7/15/1971)
  
  Runtime: 3:21
  
  Keywords: People's Republic of China, Trips
  
  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-4523
  "Washington: Week in Review". Dean Rusk, former Secretary of State for President Johnson.
  NBC
  Runtime: 00:29:28
• WHCA-4525
  Weekly News Summary, Tape II.
  ALL NETWORKS
  Runtime: 1:30
  
  8. Smith/Gill: Announcement of President Nixon's evening address on foreign policy. Time Code Start: 12:12. Keywords: Presidents, speeches, statements, aris Peace Talks, Vietnam War, Indochina War, treaty, treaties, negotiations. Network: ABC.
  
  9. Smith/Rolfson: Ambassador Bruce's status in Paris Peace Talks. Time Code Start: 13:44. Keywords: Paris Peace Talks, Vietnam War, Indochina War, treaty, treaties, negotiations, Ambassadors. Network: ABC.
  
  10. Smith: Federal Reserve Board raises interest rates 5%; strikes by telephone and copper workers across the country shut down three railroads. Time Code Start: 16:02. Keywords: economy, economics, budgets, finances, recession, inflation, money, credit, loans, strikes, labor, employees, trains, mining, miners, unemployment,. Network: ABC.
  
  11. Smith/Geer: Ellsberg is indicted by a Grand Jury in Los Angeles, California Elsberg requests to have case heard in Boston where original arrest occurred. Time Code Start: 17:12. Keywords: Watergate, Pentagon Papers, secrets, Russo, Watergate, courts, hearings, investigations, military, Armed Forces, Vietnam War, Indochina war, Laos, Cambodia, bombings. Network: ABC.
  
  12. Smith/Jackson: Drug abuse of troops returning from Vietnam to Fort Benning, Georgia; American Medical Associaiton endorses Nixon's plan to combat drug addiction, availability of Amphetamine drugs. Time Code Start: 19:50. Keywords: Vietnam War, veterans, military, Armed Forces, pharmaceuticals, medicines, drugs, drug abuse, narcotics, morphine, heroin, marijuana, alcohol, alcoholism, addicts, addiction, prevention, programs. Network: ABC.
  
  13. Smith/Zimmerman: Resistance of drug companies to put restrictions of a diet pill called Eskatrol. Time Code Start: 23:28. Keywords: pharmaceuticals, medicines, drugs, drug abuse, stimulants, weight loss medications, amphetamines. Network: ABC.
  
  14. Smith: Response of the Soviet Union to Pentagon Papers release. Time Code Start: 25:28. Keywords: Armed Forces, military, classified documents, secrets, Ellsberg, Russo, Watergate, courts, trials, Supreme Court, Vietnam War, Indochina War, bombings. Network: ABC.
  
  15. Brinkley/Saarinen: Announcement of President Nixon's address on foreign policy; speculation on topics in address include Paris Peace Talks (Ambassador Bruce on film). Time Code Start: 27:13. Keywords: Presidents, speeches, aris Peace Talks, Vietnam War, Indochina War, treaty, treaties, negotiations. Network: NBC.
  
  16. Brinkley/Brady: Issue of heroin trafficking pinned on Saigon government in South Vietnam, South Vietnamese General Ngo Dzu speaks in defense of allegations ( General Dzu on film). Time Code Start: 30:57. Keywords: Vietnam War, military, leaders, accusations, drugs, narcotics, heroin, sales, drug abuse. Network: NBC.
  
  17. Brinkley/Levine: Conference held by Secretary of Treasury Connally on economic status of the U.S.. Time Code Start: 36:03. Keywords: cabinet, advisors, conferences, meetings, economy, economics, budgets, finances, recession, inflation, money, wages, costs, unemployment, prices. Network: NBC.
  
  18. Cronkite/Rabel: Paris Peace Talks update; previous week's death toll in Vietnam War. Time Code Start: 37:31. Keywords: Paris Peace Talks, Vietnam War, Indochina War, treaty, treaties, negotiations, military, troops, killed in action, KIA, fatalities. Network: CBS.
  
  19. Cronkite: Secretary of Treasury Connally on the recovery of the U.S. economy. Time Code Start: 42:08. Keywords: cabinet, advisors, conferences, meetings, economy, economics, budgets, finances, recession, inflation, money, wages, costs, unemployment, prices. Network: CBS.
  
  20. Cronkite/Sevareid: Ellsberg under decision for extradited charges by Boston Judge for being put on trial in California under the grounds that Ellsberg obtained Pentagon Paper information through wire tapping. Time Code Start: 42:43. Keywords: Pentagon Papers, trials, espionage, military, analysis, reports, publishing, secrets, Laos, Cambodia, Indochina War, Vietnam War, Anthony Russo, Watergate, break-ins, burglary, plumbers. Network: CBS.
• WHCA-4526
  "Nixon Announcement to Visit Red China", with ABC & NBC commentary. President Nixon announces his intention to visit the People's Republic of China in February 1972
  CBS
  Runtime: 01:03:15
• WHCA-4527
  "Nixon Announcement to Visit Red China", with CBS commentary. President Nixon announces his intention to visit the People's Republic of China in February 1972 (may also have "Washington Week in Review" - 3/4" copy says this on the label) Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Warren Burger.
  ABC
  Runtime: 00:34:40
• WHCA-4528
  PBS China Announcement & PBS Commentary. President Nixon announces his intention to visit the People's Republic of China in February 1972 Rose Kennedy.
  Group W Productions
  Runtime: 00:32:42
• WHCA-4529
  "The Dick Cavett Show" : Jacques Barzun, Rex Reed. psychologist Ernest van den Haag, actor Geraldine Fitzgerald, singer Kate Taylor.
  Daphne Productions and Roland & Jaffee Productions
  Runtime: 01:29:36
• WHCA-4530
  "A Journey For Peace". On President Nixon's Pending Trip to Red China (People's Republic of China) psychologist Ernest van den Haag, actor Geraldine Fitzgerald, singer Kate Taylor.
  Daphne Productions and Roland & Jaffee Productions
  Runtime: 01:06:05

• New York Times of July 15, 1971

• AP Images photos from July 15, 1971
• Getty Images photos from July 15, 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.

• July 1971 Broadcast Index

Wikipedia is a free encyclopedia that anyone can edit.

• July 15, 1971