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March 12, 1970

Introduction

This almanac page for Thursday, March 12, 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, March 11, 1970

Next Date: Friday, March 13, 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.

    Appointments and Nominations

    Congress, Communications to

    • Executive Office of the President (6 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 353, March 12, 1970)
      The President's Message to the Congress Transmitting Reorganization Plan 2 of 1970, Implementing Recommendations of the President's Advisory Council on Executive Organization.

    Acts Approved by the President

    • H.R. 11651 -- Public Law 91-207
      An Act to amend the National School Lunch Act, as amended, to provide funds and authorities to the Department of Agriculture for the purpose of providing free or reduced-price meals to needy children not now being reached.
    • H.R. 14733 -- Public Law 91-209
      An Act to amend the Public Health Service Act to extend the program of assistance for health services for domestic migrant agricultural workers and for other purposes.
    • S. 2809 -- Public Law 91-208
      An Act to amend the Public Health Service Act so as to extend for an additional period the authority to make formula grants to schools of public health, project grants for graduate training in public health and traineeships for professional public health personnel.

    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.

    • Summary of Executive Office reorganization plan.
    • Press conference of Virginia H. Knauer, Special Assistant to the President for Consumer Affairs, Caspar W. Weinberger, Chairman, Federal Trade Commission, Richard W. McLaren, Assistant Attorney General, Antitrust Division, Louis J. Lefkowitz, Attorney General for the State of New York, and Patricia Reilly Hitt, Assistant Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, on consumer legislation.
    • Press conference of Curtis W. Tarr, Director-designate, Selective Service System, following the announcement of his nomination.
    • Press conference of Roy L. Ash, Chairman, President's Advisory Council on Executive Organization, Walter N. Thayer, member, Murray Comarow, Executive Director, and Robert P. Mayo, Director, Bureau of the Budget, on the reorganization plan for the Executive Office of the President.
    • Text of the President's meeting with bipartisan congressional leaders for a briefing by administration officials on consumer protection.

    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 met with bipartisan leaders of the Senate and House of Representatives in a special White House briefing on the administration's proposals for consumer protection legislation.
    • The President transmitted to the Congress Volume 1 of the "National Estuary Study" (94 pages, processed), the first volume of a seven-volume report prepared by the Department of the Interior.
    • The first HOPE Award for International Understanding was presented to the President at the White House by Dr. William B. Walsh, founder and president of Project HOPE.
    • The President attended a fund-raising reception for the Washington National Symphony at the Shoreham Hotel.

    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.

    • CURTIS W. TARR, of Virginia, to be Director of Selective Service, vice General Lewis B. Hershey.

  • 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.

  • 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.

    • Transcript of diary entry - not yet online
    • Handwritten diary entry - not yet online

  • 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. V, United Nations, 1969-1972

    Chinese Representation in the United Nations

    Vol. XII, Soviet Union, January 1969-October 1970

    Expansion of the Kissinger-Dobrynin Channel and Further Discussions on the Middle East, December 11, 1969-July 28, 1970

    Vol. XXIII, Arab-Israeli Dispute, 1969-1972

    The Cease-Fire Agreement

    • 98. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Lebanon , Washington, March 12, 1970, 0149Z

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 614, Country Files, Middle East, Jordan, Vol. III. Secret; Exdis. Drafted by Bryan H. Baas (NEA/ARN) and Seelye; cleared in NEA, NEA/RA, and PM/MAS; and approved by Sisco. Repeated to Amman, Jidda, London, Paris, Tel Aviv, and USUN.

    • 99. Memorandum of Conversation , Washington, March 12, 1970, 11:15 a.m.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 612, Country Files, Middle East, Israeli Aid. Top Secret; Nodis. The conversation was held in the East Wing of the White House in the Military Aide’s office. Tabs A–D are attached but not printed.

    Vol. XL, Germany and Berlin, 1969-1972

    Germany and Berlin, 1969-1972

    • 65. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon, Washington, March 12, 1970

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 690, Country Files, Europe, Germany (Berlin), Vol. II. Secret. Sent for action. No drafting information appears on the memorandum. Sonnenfeldt forwarded a draft to Kissinger on March 5 and Kissinger revised the memorandum on March 9, eliminating a recommendation that the President approve his memorandum to Rogers. “I’ll worry about memo,” Kissinger wrote. “Pres. doesn’t have to approve my memos to Rogers.” (Memorandum from Sonnenfeldt to Kissinger, March 5; ibid., and Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Kissinger Papers, Box CL 4, Chronological File, 1969–75, 23 Jan.–30 Mar. 1970)

    Vol. E-1, Documents on Global Issues, 1969-1972

    U.S. Policy Towards International Production and Trafficking in Illegal Drugs

    • 164. Telegram 1466 From the Embassy in Turkey to the Department of State, Ankara, March 12, 1970, 1530Z

      Ambassador Handley criticized tactics used by the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs that he believed imperiled cooperation with the Turkish Government on destruction of the opium crop.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970-73, INCO-DRUGS TUR. Confidential; Limdis.

    Oceans Policy

    Vol. E-4, Documents on Iran and Iraq, 1969-1972

    Iran 1970

    • 53. Telegram 928 From the Embassy in Iran to the Department of State, Tehran, March 12, 1970, 1335Z

      Ambassador MacArthur conveyed the Shah’s belief that the Iraqi Government’s concession of an autonomous province to its Kurds bore out his fears of Soviet influence on Baghdad.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 601, Country Files, Middle East, Iran, Vol. 1, 1/20/69–5/31/70. Secret; Priority; Exdis. Repeated for information to Dhahran, Jidda, Kuwait City, and London. In Telegram 291 from Dhahran, March 14, Consul Lee F. Dinsmore observed that “it was Iran which encouraged [Kurdish leader] Mulla Mustafa [Barzani] to sustain military pressure on Baghdad Government, by means of arms, training, food, and a porous border. Israel supported Iran in this effort… If Soviet Union is happy over direction Kurdish situation taking in Iraq, it may have our friends to thank. It is doubtful Kurds could have held out over last 10 years had they not had Iran’s help.” (Ibid.)

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

    U.S.-North African Policy

    • 8. National Intelligence Estimate 60–70 , Washington, March 12, 1970

      The estimate reviewed trends and prospects in the four North African states. It concluded that, in general, the recent improvement in political relations was not likely to extend beyond economic cooperation and that the region was turning toward Western Europe and away from close association with either of the Cold War superpowers. This trend was likely to continue as long as the United States continued to be closely identified in Arab eyes with Israel. The report then outlined the prospected trends for individual states, highlighting the potential political and social ramifications of projected economic stability.

      Source: Central Intelligence Agency, NIC Files, Job 79-R01012A, Box 390. Secret; Controlled Dissemination. The Central Intelligence Agency and the intelligence organizations of the Department of State, Defense, and NSA participated in the preparation of this estimate. The Director of CIA submitted this estimate with the concurrence of all members of USIB with the exception of the representatives of the AEC and FBI who abstained on grounds that it was outside their jurisdiction.

  • 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-3138 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-3138-1-10, President Nixon attending Congressional School - Consumer Affairs meeting. 3/12/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, White House Theater. President Nixon, Senators, and Congressmen.

    Roll WHPO-3139 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-3139-02-12, Vice President Agnew with Mr. Thomas Vail, Editor and Publisher of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. 3/12/1970, Washington, D.C. Vice Presidential Office. Spiro Agnew, Thomas Vail.

    Roll WHPO-3140 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-3140-01A-16A, President Nixon is presented with the Project HOPE Award. 3/12/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, William B. Walsh, Pres. Of Project HOPE, son Thomas Walsh, HOPE Bd. Members Bloom, Brundage, Genting and Locke.

    Roll WHPO-3141 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-3141-01A-11A, President Nixon meeting with Congressmen Fred Schwengel, Robert Wilson and Henry Carver. 3/12/1970, Washington, D.C. White House Oval Office. President Nixon, Fred Schwengel Robert Wilson, Henry Carver.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-3141-14A-22A, President Nixon meeting with Congressman Gerald Ford and members of the National Association of Retail Druggists. 3/12/1970, Washington, D.C. White House Oval Office. President Nixon, Gerald Ford, Chris Haleston, Richard Wilson, James E. Koelzer, John Johnson, Willard B. Simmons.

    Roll WHPO-3142 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-3142-00A-12A, President Nixon with Congressman Gerald Ford and members of the National Association of Retail Druggists. 3/12/1970, Washington, D.C. White House Oval Office. President Nixon, Gerald Ford, Chris Haleston, Richard Wilson, James E. Koelzer, John Johnson, Willard B. Simmons.

    Roll WHPO-3143 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-3143-02-14, President Nixon receiving Project HOPE award in the Oval Office. Officials, including Willam B. Walsh, Herbert J. Bloom, Percival F. Brundage, Joseph T. Genting, Jr., Edwin A. Locke, Jr., and Thomas Walsh (William Walsh's son) stand nearby. 3/12/1970, Washington, D.C. White House Oval Office. President Nixon, Willam B. Walsh, Herbert J. Bloom, Percival F. Brundage, Joseph T. Genting, Jr., Edwin A. Locke, Jr. , Thomas Walsh (William Walsh's son).
    • Frame(s): WHPO-3143-04A, President Nixon receiving Project HOPE award in the Oval Office. Officials, including Willam B. Walsh, Herbert J. Bloom, Percival F. Brundage, Joseph T. Genting, Jr., Edwin A. Locke, Jr., and Thomas Walsh (William Walsh's son) stand nearby. 3/12/1970, Washington, D.C. White House Oval Office. President Nixon, Willam B. Walsh, Herbert J. Bloom, Percival F. Brundage, Joseph T. Genting, Jr., Edwin A. Locke, Jr. , Thomas Walsh (William Walsh's son).
    • Frame(s): WHPO-3143-16-20, President Nixon meeting with Press Secretary Ron Ziegler and unidentified writer. 3/12/1970, Washington, D.C. White House Oval Office. President Nixon, Ron Ziegler, unidentified writer.

    Roll WHPO-3146 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-3146-03-20, President Nixon attending the "Save the Symphony" Reception for the Washington National Symphony. 3/12/1970, Washington, D.C. Shoreham Hotel. President 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.

    B - Vice-Presidential (Agnew and Ford)

    • WHCA-SR-B-061
      Remarks at the presentation of the Harmon Trophy-Indian Treaty Rm. (3/12/1970)

      Runtime: 8:20

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

    H - White House Staff Member Recordings

    • WHCA-SR-H-144
      Presentation by Virginia Knauer, Caspar Weinberger, Richard McClairen, Jacob Javits, Warren Magnuson, Norris Cotton, and the New York Attorney General Louis Lefkowitz. (3/12/1970, Family Theater, White House)

      Runtime: 36:00:00

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

      Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.
    • WHCA-SR-H-145
      Press briefing by Ronald Ziegler, Murray Comarow, Robert Mayo regarding reorganization of Bureau of the Budget as outlined in reorganization plan #2 of 1970. (3/12/1970, Roosevelt Room, White House)

      Runtime: 1:44:00

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

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

      Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.
    • WHCA-SR-H-146
      Consumer briefing by Virginia Knauer, Richard McClairen, and Ronald Ziegler. (3/12/1970, Roosevelt Room, White House)

      Runtime: 44:00:00

      Keywords: Briefings, public briefings, statements to the press (see also Press conferences, news conferences, interviews, media)

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

      Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.
    • WHCA-SR-H-147
      Press briefing by Ronald Ziegler and Curtis Tarr regarding latter's selection as Director of Selective Service. (3/12/1970, Roosevelt Room, White House)

      Runtime: 15:56

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

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

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

    P - Formal Presidential Remarks

    • WHCA-SR-P-700307
      Remarks by President Nixon at fund-raiser for National Symphony at the Shoreham Hotel. (3/12/1970)

      Runtime: 8:57

      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-3652
      Joseph Benti Report on Veteran Affairs Hospitals. News excerpts from 3/09/1970.
      All networks
      Runtime: 00:38:00

Context (External Sources)