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March 15, 1971

Introduction

This almanac page for Monday, March 15, 1971, 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, March 14, 1971

Next Date: Tuesday, March 16, 1971

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 Grand Cay, Bahama Islands

  • 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.

  • 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. IV, Foreign Assistance, International Development, Trade Policies, 1969-1972

    East-West Trade, 1969-1972

    Vol. VII, Vietnam, July 1970-January 1972

    Operational Lam Son 719, February 8-April 7, 1971

    Vol. XI, South Asia Crisis, 1971

    South Asia Crisis, 1971

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

    "A Key Point in Our Relationship": Backchannel Talks on SALT, Berlin, and the Summit

    • 139. Memorandum of Conversation, Washington, March 15, 1971, 4 p.m.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 491, President’s Trip Files, Dobrynin/Kissinger, 1971, Vol. 5 [part 2]. Top Secret; Sensitive. Drafted on March 16. Kissinger forwarded this memorandum of conversation and a memorandum summarizing its “highlights” to Nixon on March 18. A note on the summary memorandum indicates that the President saw it. The meeting was held in the Map Room at the White House. According to Kissinger’s Record of Schedule, it lasted until 5:18 p.m. (Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Kissinger Papers, Box 438, Miscellany, 1968–76)

    Vol. XXIX, Eastern Mediterranean, 1969-1972

    Cyprus

    Vol. XL, Germany and Berlin, 1969-1972

    Germany and Berlin, 1969-1972

    • 197. Message From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to the Ambassador to Germany (Rush), Washington, March 15, 1971

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Kissinger Office Files, Box 59, Country Files, Europe, Ambassador Rush, Berlin, Vol. 1 [2 of 2]. Top Secret; Exclusively Eyes Only. The message was sent through the special Navy channel in Frankfurt; no time of transmission or receipt appears on the message. Kissinger sent a similar message to Bahr on March 15; the divergence in text is noted in footnote 4 below. (Ibid., Box 60, Egon Bahr, Berlin File [3 of 3])c

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

    Ireland

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

    The Horn

    • 312. Study Prepared in Response to NSSM 115, Washington, March 15, 1971

      The study discussed the political and economic background for relations with Ethiopia and Somalia, the requirements for maintaining Kagnew Station for another five years, and the significant importance of Ethiopia to U.S. interests as compared to Somalia.

      Source: National Archives, NSC Institutional Files, NSSM Files, NSSM 115. Secret. Prepared by the NSC Interdepartmental Group for Africa. Pages 1–11 only are published.

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

    Bolivia

    • 97. Memorandum From Ashley C. Hewitt of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), Washington, March 15, 1971., Washington, March 15, 1971

      National Security Council staff member Hewitt noted that, although the Torres government was weak, there appeared to be no other viable alternative for the United States to support. Hewitt then suggested that support from the United States might strengthen Torres, but that it would behoove the U.S. Government to keep looking for alternatives.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 770, Country Files, Latin America, Bolivia, Vol. 2, 1970–1974. Secret. Sent for information. Kissinger wrote “Should go to SRG” on the front. The SRG meeting on Bolivia was never held. Attached but not published at Tab A is the February 19 CIA Intelligence Memorandum 1255/71, “The Prospects for Torres and Bolivia.” Attached but not published at Tab B is the NSC Staff’s February 15 synopsis.

    Vol. E-16, Documents on Chile, 1969-1973

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

    • 56. Memorandum for the 40 Committee, Washington, March 15, 1971

      Summary: This progress report summarized actions taken in Chile since January 1971 when the 40 Committee authorized $1,240,000 to support Chilean opposition parties.

      Source: National Security Council, Nixon Intelligence Files, Subject Files, Chile, 1971–72. Secret; Sensitive; Eyes Only. A handwritten notation on the first page indicates the memorandum was approved by telephone by the 40 Committee on March 22.

  • 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-5865 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-5865-00, Copy of a head and shoulders portrait photo of Pat Nixon wearing a blue dress. See also: 5832 - From the same photo shoot. 3/15/1971, Washington, D.C. unknown. Pat Nixon.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-5865-01-03, Copies of a head and shoulders portrait photo of Pat Nixon wearing a blue dress. See also: 5832 - From the same photo shoot. 3/15/1971, Washington, D.C. unknown. Pat Nixon.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-5865-02, Copy of a head and shoulders portrait photo of Pat Nixon wearing a blue dress. See also: 5832 - From the same photo shoot. 3/15/1971, Washington, D.C. unknown. Pat Nixon.

    Roll WHPO-5866 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-5866-12-15, Staff and Secret Service men as fishermen showing off their fish catch. 3/15/1971, Florida Key Biscayne pier. unidentified staff, Secret Service agents.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-5866-16-19, First Two Years of the Nixon Presidency Exhibit in Miami, Florida. 3/15/1971, Florida unknown Miami art gallery.

    Roll WHPO-5867 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-5867-03-06, President Nixon and Pat Nixon arriving at Homestead Air Base. 3/15/1971, Florida Homestead Air Force Base. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, officials, aides.

  • 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-355
      Herbert Klein main address (4 tapes). (3/15/1971, [None listed])

      Runtime: [Nonelisted]

      Production credits: No feed information listed; No WHCA engineer initials listed

      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-4220
      "Today" Show interview with President Nixon, Tape I. An interview with President Nixon Jack Klugman, Tony Randall, Senator Clarence Brown (SST debate), Senator William Proxmire (SST debate).
      Daphne Productions and Roland & Jaffee Productions
      Runtime: 01:05:40
    • WHCA-4221
      "Today" Show interview with President Nixon, Tape II. An interview with President Nixon FTN: Senator J. William Fulbright (D-AR); "MTP": Senator Hubert Humphrey (D-MN).
      CBS, NBC
      Runtime: 01:06:29
    • WHCA-4226
      Weekly News Summary, Tape I.
      ALL NETWORKS
      Runtime: 1:30

      11. Reasoner: Khe Sanh in South Vietnam attacked. Time Code Start: 25:07. Keywords: Vietnam War, mlitary, troops, bases. Network: ABC.

      12. Giggans: Laos resupply. Time Code Start: 26:10. Keywords: Laos, Vietnam War. Network: ABC.

      13. Smith: People's Republic of China travel OK'd. Time Code Start: 27:25. Keywords: Presidents, travel, trips, People's Republic of China. Network: ABC.

      14. Scali: same at State Department [People's Republic of China travel OK'd?]. Time Code Start: 27:55. Keywords: Presidents, travel, trips, People's Republic of China. Network: ABC.

      15. Smith: Commentary on "Will People's Republic of China enter the war?". Time Code Start: 29:16. Keywords: Vietnam War, People's Republic of China. Network: ABC.

      16. Chancellor/Brady: Laos. Time Code Start: 31:18. Keywords: Laos, Vietnam War. Network: NBC.

      17. Brinkley/Walters: President Nixon on youth in America; Older people must help youth understand they count; rebellion problems not solved by ending war or stopping pollution. Time Code Start: 33:49. Keywords: Presidents, young people, psychology, issues, protests, lifestyles. Network: NBC.

      18. Brinkley: Presdient Nixon announces wedding engagement of Tricia Nixon and Edward Cox. Time Code Start: 35:35. Keywords: President Nixon, families, marriage, engagements, announcements. Network: NBC.

      19. Brinkley: Representative Hale Boggs says revenue sharing plan fools gold; create public service employment. Time Code Start: 36:10. Keywords: bills, laws, State and Local Fiscal Assistance Act of 1972, financial aid. Network: NBC.

      20. Cronkite: Laos. Time Code Start: 36:51. Keywords: Laos, Vietnam War. Network: CBS.

Context (External Sources)