March 31, 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.

• Remarks Announcing Plans To Make Land in Camp Pendleton, California, Available for Public Recreational Use.
• Statement About Plans To Make Land in Camp Pendleton, California, Available for Public Recreational Use
• Letter to the Chairman and Ranking Minority Member of the House Committee on Ways and Means About the Welfare Reform Bill.
• Proclamation 4041—National Defense Transportation Day and National Transportation Week, 1971

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 Wednesday, March 31, 1971

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

• House of Representatives: March 31, 1971
• Extensions of Remarks: March 31, 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 March 31, 1971
• Date search for March 31, 1971

All National Archives Units

• Text search for March 31, 1971
• Date search for March 31, 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 31 March 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. V, United Nations, 1969-1972

Chinese Representation in the United Nations

• 343. Circular Telegram From the Department of State to Certain Posts, Washington, March 31, 1971, 2330Z

  Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, UN 6 CHICOM. Secret; Priority. Drafted by Feldman, Armitage, and Shoesmith; cleared by Jenkins, Daniel Goott, William A. Helseth, Peter C. Walker, Whitman, and Winthrop G. Brown; and approved by Herz. Sent to Accra, Abidjan, Ankara, Bangkok, Brussels, Canberra, Copenhagen, Lome, London, Kuwait, Oslo, Rome, Seoul, Tehran, Tokyo, Taipei, Vienna, Wellington, Yaounde, USUN, and Tunis, and repeated to Hong Kong.

Vol. VII, Vietnam, July 1970-January 1972

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

• 172. Minutes of a Meeting of the 40 Committee, San Clemente, March 31, 1971, 10:26-11:55 a.m.

  Source: Department of State, INR/IL Historical Files, 40 Committee Meetings. Top Secret; Nodis; Eyes Only. The meeting took place in the Conference Room of the Western White House. All brackets except those that indicate omissions are in the original.

Vol. XI, South Asia Crisis, 1971

South Asia Crisis, 1971

• 16. Letter From the Pakistani Ambassador (Hilaly) to Secretary of State Rogers, Washington, March 31, 1971

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 759, Presidential Correspondence File, Pakistan (1971). Most Immediate. The letter was conveyed to the White House on March 31 under cover of a transmittal memorandum from Executive Secretary Eliot to Kissinger. (Ibid., RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL PAK–US)

• 17. Minutes of Senior Review Group Meeting, San Clemente, California, March 31, 1971, 11:55 a.m.-12:15 p.m.

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–112, SRG Minutes, Originals, 1971. Secret; Nodis. No drafting information is indicated on the source text. The meeting was held in the Conference Room at the Western White House in San Clemente, California.

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

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

• 166. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon, San Clemente, California, March 31, 1971

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 714, Country Files, Europe, USSR, Vol. XII. Secret; Nodis. Sent for information. Drafted in Washington by Sonnenfeldt (see footnote 1, Document 163). Nixon and Kissinger were both in San Clemente. (National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, White House Central Files, President’s Daily Diary) A notation indicates that the President saw the memorandum. Nixon wrote the following message for Kissinger in the margin: “ K —Our stuff is pretty dull compared to his! (Though admittedly more honest.)”

Vol. XX, Southeast Asia, 1969-1972

Thailand

• 112. Minutes of 40 Committee Meeting, San Clemente, California, March 31, 1971, 10:26-11:55 a.m.

  Source: National Security Council, Nixon Intelligence Files, 40 Committee Files, Minutes, 1971. Top Secret; Nodis; Eyes Only. The meeting was held in the conference room of the Western White House. A notation on the minutes indicates Nelson, [name not declassified], and Blee of CIA were not present for the entire meeting.

Philippines

• 235. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon, Washington, March 31, 1971

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 557, Country Files, Far East, Philippines, Vol. III. Confidential. Sent for information. The memorandum indicates the President saw it. A notation in Nixon’s handwriting to Kissinger reads “K—Do letter as I wrote.” Regarding this letter, see footnote 5 below.

Vol. XXIX, Eastern Europe, 1969-1972

Radio Free Europe and Radio Liberty

• 51. Minutes of the 40 Committee Meeting, San Clemente, California, March 31, 1971, 10:26-11:55 a.m.

  Source: Department of State, INR/IL Historical Files, 40 Committee Files. Top Secret; Eyes Only; Nodis. The meeting took place in the conference room of the Western White House.

Vol. XXIX, Eastern Mediterranean, 1969-1972

Greece

• 310. Minutes of the Senior Review Group Meeting, San Clemente, California, March 31, 1971, 11:55 a.m.-12:15 p.m.

  Source: Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Kissinger Papers, Box CL 149, Senior Review Group. Secret; Nodis. The meeting took place in the conference room of the Western White House in San Clemente. There is a briefer account of this meeting in the Central Intelligence Agency, Job 80–B01086R, Executive Registry, Subject Files, G–6, Greece.

Vol. XL, Germany and Berlin, 1969-1972

Germany and Berlin, 1969-1972

• 213. Letter From the Political Counselor at the Embassy in Germany (Dean) to the Director of the Office of German Affairs (Sutterlin), Bonn, March 31, 1971

  Source: Department of State, EUR/CE Files: Lot 85 D 330, JD Correspondence 1971, JSSutterlin. Secret; Official–Informal. Copies were sent to Rush, Fessenden, Klein, Boerner, and Wehmeyer. In an attached note, Fessenden commented: “Good & thoughtful letter. I agree with almost everything, & especially with the argumentation toward the end re the great importance of holding the line against allowing FRG–GDR access talks before a Four Power Agreement.”

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

Chemical and Biological Warfare; Geneva Protocol; Biological Weapons Convention

• 223. Memorandum From the Executive Secretary of the Department of State (Eliot) to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), Washington, March 31, 1971

  Eliot reported that Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Fulbright personally favored the ratification of the Geneva Protocol with the understanding that riot control agents and herbicides were covered by the Protocol’s prohibitions and noted the Foreign Relations Committee generally concurred.
  
  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 312, Subject Files, Chemical, Biological Warfare (Toxins, etc.), Vol. IV. Secret; Exdis.

Vol. E-7, Documents on South Asia, 1969-1972

India and Pakistan: Crisis and War, March-December 1971

• 128. Telegram 2954 From the Embassy in Pakistan to the Department of State, Islamabad, March 31, 1971, 1245Z

  The Embassy analyzed the crisis in East Pakistan for historical perspective and concluded: “deplorable as current events in East Pakistan may be, it is undesirable that they be raised to level of contentious international political issue.”
  
  Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 23–9 PAK. Confidential; Priority. Repeated to Calcutta, Colombo, Dacca, Kabul, Karachi, Lahore, London, and New Delhi.

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

Peru

• 623. Memorandum From Arnold Nachmanoff of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), Washington, March 31, 1971., Washington, March 31, 1971

  National Security Council staff member Nachmanoff recommended that the U.S. Government delay any action on Foreign Military Sales (FMS) suspension and quickly devise a strategy for settling the fisheries dispute.
  
  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 793, Country Files, Latin America, Peru, Vol. 2, July 1970–13 December 1971. Confidential. Sent for information. The memorandum was sent by means of electronic transmission to Kissinger in San Clemente. Telegram 1694 from Lima has not been found.

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-5956 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-5956-10A, President Nixon standing with John Ehrlichman while speaking to the press about excising six miles of Camp Pendleton beachfront property. 3/31/1971, San Clemente, California Western White House, La Casa Pacifica, exterior. President Nixon, John Ehrlichman.
• Frame(s): WHPO-5956-15A-17A, 23A-31A, President Nixon before, and after an aerial tour of the six miles of Camp Pendleton beachfront property to be exised. 3/31/1971, San Clemente, California Western White House, helipad. President Nixon, John Ehrlichman, Murray Seeger, unidentified men.
• Frame(s): WHPO-5956-18A-22A, President Nixon taking an aerial tour of beachfront property within six miles of Camp Pendleton. 3/31/1971, air helicopter, interior. President Nixon, John Ehrlichman, Murray Seeger, unidentified men.
• Frame(s): WHPO-5956-23A, President Nixon and John D. Ehrlichman deplaning from "Marine One" helicopter. 3/31/1971, San Clemente, California Western White House, helipad. President Nixon, John Ehrlichman, Murray Seeger, unidentified men.
• Frame(s): WHPO-5956-2A-14A, President Nixon, with Ehrlichman at his side, making a statement to the press about the excising of six miles of Camp Pendleton beachfront property. 3/31/1971, San Clemente, California Western White House, exterior. President Nixon, John Ehrlichman, Murray Seeger, unidentified men.

Roll WHPO-5957 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-5957-03A-04A, President Nixon shaking hands with Cleave Ryan. 3/31/1971, San Clemente, California helipad. President Nixon, Cleave Ryan, unidentified man, press corps members.
• Frame(s): WHPO-5957-05A-29A, President Nixon touring the Camp Pendleton beach area with Murray Seeger. 3/31/1971, air helicopter, Marine One. President Nixon, Cleave Ryan, Murray Seeger, unidentified man, press corps members.
• Frame(s): WHPO-5957-16A, President Nixon pointing out the window of the presidential helicopter while touring the Camp Pendleton beach area with Los Angeles Times reporter Murray Seeger, who is taking notes on his spiral note pad. 3/31/1971, air helicopter, Marine One. President Nixon, Murray Seeger.
• Frame(s): WHPO-5957-23A, President Nixon pointing out the window of the presidential helicopter while touring the Camp Pendleton beach area with Los Angeles Times reporter Murray Seeger (taking notes on his spiral note pad). 3/31/1971, air helicopter, Marine One. President Nixon, Murray Seeger, possibly Ron Ziegler, unidentified official.

Roll WHPO-5958 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-5958-03-07, President Nixon standing with Cleave Ryan. 3/31/1971, San Clemente, California Western White House, grounds. President Nixon, John Ehrlichman, Cleave Ryan, unidentified persons.
• Frame(s): WHPO-5958-08-11, President Nixon and John Ehrlichman standing in front of a microphone. 3/31/1971, San Clemente, California Western White House, grounds. President Nixon, John Ehrlichman, Cleave Ryan, unidentified persons.
• Frame(s): WHPO-5958-12, 21-23, President Nixon on the helipad. 3/31/1971, San Clemente, California helipad. President Nixon, John Ehrlichman, Cleave Ryan, unidentified persons.
• Frame(s): WHPO-5958-12-20, President Nixon's helicopter seen from another helicopter in the air. Aerial view of the ocean and shore line along Orange County, CA. 3/31/1971, air, San Clemente, California helicopter.
• Frame(s): WHPO-5958-23A, President Nixon and John Ehrlichman leaving the presidential helicopter. A military guard salutes nearby. 3/31/1971, San Clemente, California helipad. President Nixon, John Ehrlichman, unidentified persons.
• Frame(s): WHPO-5958-31, The presidential helicopter flying over the ocean. View is from above looking down. Aerial view of the ocean and shore line along Orange County, CA. 3/31/1971, San Clemente, California air, helicopter.

Roll WHPO-5959 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-5959-03-04, President Nixon and John Ehrlichman at a microphone. 3/31/1971, San Clemente, California Western White House, Building B. President Nixon, John Ehrlichman.
• Frame(s): WHPO-5959-05-07, President Nixon's helicopter seen from the another helicopter in the air. 3/31/1971, San Clemente, California air.

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-362
  Press briefing by John D. Ehrlichman and Ronald Ziegler. (3/31/1971, San Clemente Inn, San Clemente, California)
  
  Runtime: 1:15:00
  
  Keywords: Press conferences, news conferences, interviews, media, press secretary
  
  Production credits: Audio feed supplied by WHCA; Recorded by BAC (initials of WHCA engineer)
  
  Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.

I - Various Administration Events

• WHCA-SR-I-062
  Today show interview with Representative Wilbur Mills. (3/31/1971, [None listed])
  
  Runtime: [Nonelisted]
  
  Keywords: Television
  
  Production credits: Audio feed supplied by "VTR"; Recorded by JAD (initials of WHCA engineer)
  
  Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.

P - Formal Presidential Remarks

• WHCA-SR-P-710331
  Remarks by President Nixon concerning beachfront property at western WH. (3/31/1971)
  
  Runtime: 4:48
  
  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-4249
  Whitney Young Funeral coverage.
  ALL NETWORKS
  Runtime: 00:27:35
• WHCA-4250
  "The David Frost Show" with Senator Muskie. FTN: Abba Eban, Israeli Foreign Minister; "MTP": George Bush, Ambassador to the United Nations; "I &A": U.S. Senator George McGovern (D-SD).
  CBS, NBC, ABC
  Runtime: 01:34:00
• WHCA-4251
  "The Dick Cavett Show". U.S. Senators Hugh Scott (R-PA) and Howard Griffin, Representatives Gerald Ford (R-MI) and Wright Patman.
  NBC
  Runtime: 01:29:37
• WHCA-4255
  Weekly News Summary, Tape I.
  ALL NETWORKS
  Runtime: 1:30
  
  35. Geer: Public reaction to Lt. Calley verdict (White House Director of Communications Herb Klein) (My Lai Massacre trial). Time Code Start: 73:07. Keywords: Vietnam War, Lt. Calley, My Lai Massacre, military trials, massacres, war crimes, atrocities, mass murders, civilians deaths, shootings. Network: ABC.
  
  36. Reasoner/Bell: Vietnam report. Time Code Start: 74:35. Keywords: Vietnam War. Network: ABC.
  
  37. Smith/Donaldson: Congress trying to end the war in Vietnam. Time Code Start: 76:39. Keywords: Vietnam War, House of Representatives, voting. Network: ABC.
  
  38. Reasoner/Jarriel: President Nixon gives back the surfing beach in California. Time Code Start: 79:01. Keywords: Presidents, land, real estate, gifts, parks, beaches. Network: ABC.
  
  39. Smith: Commentary on the war in Vietnam. Time Code Start: 81:01. Keywords: Vietnam War. Network: ABC.
  
  40. McGee/Rich: Laos report. Time Code Start: 82:59. Keywords: Laos, Vietnam War. Network: NBC.
  
  41. Chancellor/Duke: Congress trying to end the war in Vietnam. Time Code Start: 85:44. Keywords: Vietnam War, House of Representatives, debates. Network: NBC.
  
  42. Cronkite/Mudd: Congress trying to end the war in Vietnam. Time Code Start: 88:10. Keywords: Vietnam War, House of Representatives, debates. Network: CBS.
  
  43. Cronkite: Laos report; Thieu visits troops. Time Code Start: 90:00. Keywords: Laos, Vietnam War, South Vietnam, Presidents, travel, trips, military, troops. Network: CBS.
• WHCA-4256
  Weekly News Summary, Tape II.
  ALL NETWORKS
  Runtime: 01:30:00
  
  1. Cronkite: President Nixon gives federal land to California. Time Code Start: 00:00. Keywords: Presidents, land, real estate, gifts, parks, beaches. Network: CBS.
  
  2. Stout: the Eisenhower Dollar. Time Code Start: 00:22. Keywords: economy, economics, budgets, finances, recession, inflation, money, currency, monetary values, exchange rates, decreases, wages, costs, increases. Network: CBS.

• New York Times of March 31, 1971

• AP Images photos from March 31, 1971
• Getty Images photos from March 31, 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.

• March 1971 Broadcast Index

Wikipedia is a free encyclopedia that anyone can edit.

• March 31, 1971