May 12, 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 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.

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.

• Statement About House Approval of Funds for the Supersonic Transport Program

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, May 12, 1971

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

• House of Representatives: May 12, 1971
• Senate: May 12, 1971
• Extensions of Remarks: May 12, 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 May 12, 1971
• Date search for May 12, 1971

All National Archives Units

• Text search for May 12, 1971
• Date search for May 12, 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 12 May 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. IV, Foreign Assistance, International Development, Trade Policies, 1969-1972

Coordinating Committee on Export Controls, 1969-1972

• 373. Letter From President Nixon to Prime Minister Heath, Washington, May 12, 1971

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Country Files-Europe, Box 728, UK, Volume VI 4/71-8/71. No classification marking. Attached to a July 3 memorandum from Kissinger to the President informing him that successful security negotiations with the United Kingdom had been completed and that on June 25 the United States had lifted its COCOM objections to the proposed computer sale. “The President has seen” is stamped on the July 3 memorandum.

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

• 211. Memorandum of Conversation, Washington, May 12, 1971, 3:30 p.m.

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 491, President’s Trip Files, Dobrynin/Kissinger, 1971, Vol. 6 [part 2]. Top Secret; Sensitive; Eyes Only. David Young and Winston Lord prepared the memorandum of conversation from Kissinger’s “somewhat cryptic” dictated notes; they also drafted a memorandum to the President summarizing the “highlights” of the meetings between Kissinger and Dobrynin on May 12 and 13. Kissinger, however, decided on May 20 not to forward the memorandum to the President. (Memorandum from Young to Kissinger, May 18; ibid.) The meeting was held in the Map Room at the White House. According to Kissinger’s Record of Schedule, the meeting began at 4:35 and lasted until 6:10 pm. (Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Kissinger Papers, Box 438, Miscellany, 1968–76)

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

• 212. Transcript of a Telephone Conversation Between the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) and the Soviet Ambassador (Dobrynin), Washington, May 12, 1971, 7:30 p.m.

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, Henry Kissinger Telephone Conversation Transcripts, Box 27, Dobrynin File. No classification marking.

• 213. Transcript of a Telephone Conversation Between the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) and the White House Chief of Staff (Haldeman), Washington, May 12, 1971, 8:20 p.m.

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, Henry Kissinger Telephone Transcripts, Box 10, Chronological File. No classification marking.

Vol. XX, Southeast Asia, 1969-1972

Thailand

• 119. Memorandum From the Country Director for Thailand and Burma (Dexter) to the Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs (Green), Washington, May 12, 1971

  Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL US. Secret; Nodis. A stamped notation on the memorandum indicates that Green saw it. Copies were sent to Wilson, Masters, and Corcoran.

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

The Two Yemens

• 184. Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs (Sisco) to Secretary of State Rogers, Washington, May 12, 1971

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 1276, Saunders Files, Persian Gulf. Confidential. Drafted by Ransom and cleared by Atherton and in NEA/ARP and AID/NESA.

Vol. XXIX, Eastern Europe, 1969-1972

Radio Free Europe and Radio Liberty

• 53. Memorandum From the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs (Johnson) to the 40 Committee, Washington, May 12, 1971

  Source: Department of State, INR/IL Historical Files, 40 Committee Files. Secret; Exdis. Tabs A–E to this memorandum are attached but not printed.

Vol. XL, Germany and Berlin, 1969-1972

Germany and Berlin, 1969-1972

• 237. Message From the Ambassador to Germany (Rush) to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), Bonn, May 12, 1971

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Kissinger Office Files, Box 59, Country Files, Europe, Ambassador Rush, Berlin, Vol. 1. Top Secret; Sensitive; Exclusively Eyes Only. The message was sent through the special Navy channel in Frankfurt. No time of transmission is on the message; a handwritten note indicates that it was received in Washington at 1638Z.

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

Western Europe Region and NATO

• 62. Minutes of a Legislative Interdepartmental Group Meeting, Washington, May 12, 1971, 12:12-12:44 p.m.

  Source: Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Kissinger Papers, Box CL 137. Secret; Nodis. The meeting took place in the White House Situation Room. Kissinger provided an account of the background to this meeting in White House Years, pp. 938–949.

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

Iran 1971

• 127. Telegram 2495 From the Embassy in Iran to the Department of State, Tehran, May 12, 1971, 1242Z

  Ambassador MacArthur notified the Department that instances of “externally directed and supported” anti-government subversion in Iran had increased in recent months.
  
  Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 23 IRAN. Secret. Repeated to Ankara, Dhahran, Jidda, Kuwait, London, and Moscow.

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 Tapes are sound recordings of President Richard Nixon's telephone conversations and of meetings held in the Oval Office and the Cabinet Room in the White House, the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building (OEOB), the Lincoln Sitting Room in the residence section of the White House, and several locations at the Presidential retreat at Camp David, Maryland. These recordings document many of the major events and decisions of the Nixon Administration from February 16, 1971 to July 18, 1973. Visit the White House Tapes finding aid to learn about the taping system's operation and archival processing.

Oval Office

• 498-1; Unknown between 5:33 p.m. & 6:03 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Haldeman, H. R. ("Bob"); Bow, Frank T.; Bull, Stephen B.; White House operator; Connally, John B.; Mills, Wilbur D.
• 499-1; Unknown between 4:29 p.m. & 5:27 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Kennedy, David M.; Peterson, Peter G.
• 499-2; Unknown between 5:28 p.m. & 6:03 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Haldeman, H. R. ("Bob"); White House operator; Arends, Leslie C.; Bull, Stephen B.; Bow, Frank T.; Connally, John B.; Ehrlichman, John D.

White House Telephone

• 3-5; Unknown between 8:07 a.m. & 9:51 a.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); White House operator
• 3-6; Unknown between 8:07 a.m. & 9:51 a.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); White House operator
• 3-7; 9:51 a.m. - 10:12 a.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Shultz, George P.
• 3-8; Unknown between 10:12 a.m. & 10:25 a.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); White House operator
• 3-9; 10:25 a.m. - 10:35 a.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Rogers, William P.
• 3-10; Unknown between 10:35 a.m. & 2:19 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); White House operator
• 3-11; 2:19 p.m. - 2:22 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Tkach, Walter R.
• 3-12; 3:27 p.m. - 3:27 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); White House operator
• 3-13; Unknown between 3:27 p.m. & 3:33 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); White House operator
• 3-14; 3:33 p.m. - 3:34 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Ford, Gerald R.; [Unknown person(s)]
• 3-15; Unknown between 3:34 p.m. & 3:56 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); White House operator
• 3-16; 3:56 p.m. - 4:01 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Safire, William L.; Kissinger, Henry A.
• 3-17; Unknown between 4:10 p.m. & 4:17 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); White House operator; Kissinger, Henry A.
• 3-18; 4:17 p.m. - 4:17 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); White House operator
• 3-19; Unknown between 4:17 p.m. & 4:24 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); White House operator; [Unknown person(s)]
• 3-20; 4:24 p.m. - 4:24 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); White House operator
• 3-21; Unknown between 4:24 p.m. & 4:30 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); White House operator
• 3-22; Unknown between 4:24 p.m. & 4:30 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); White House operator
• 3-23; 4:30 p.m. - 4:32 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Ford, Gerald R.
• 3-24; Unknown between 4:32 p.m. & 5:28 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); White House operator
• 3-25; Unknown between 5:28 p.m. & 5:29 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); White House operator; Haldeman, H. R. ("Bob")
• 3-26; 5:29 p.m. - 5:31 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Arends, Leslie C.
• 3-27; 5:32 p.m. - 5:33 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Bow, Frank T.
• 3-28; 5:34 p.m. - 5:36 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Boland, Edward P.
• 3-30; Unknown between 5:37 p.m. & 5:41 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); White House operator
• 3-31; Unknown between 5:37 p.m. & 5:41 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); White House operator
• 3-32; 5:41 p.m. - 5:45 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Connally, John B.
• 3-33; 5:45 p.m. - 5:48 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Mills, Wilbur D.
• 3-34; Unknown between 5:48 p.m. & 5:52 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); White House operator
• 3-35; 5:52 p.m. - 5:52 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); White House operator
• 3-36; Unknown between 5:52 p.m. & 7:10 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); White House operator
• 3-37; 7:10 p.m. - 7:10 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); White House operator
• 3-38; 7:25 p.m. - 7:25 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); White House operator
• 3-39; Unknown between 7:25 p.m., 5/12 & 8:40 a.m., 4/14; Nixon, Richard M. (President); White House operator

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-6285 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-6285-, South Portico side of White House from the grounds. 5/12/1971, Washington, D.C. White House grounds.

Roll WHPO-6286 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-6286-, President Nixon standing with University of Maryland students Charles Blocker and David Simpson. 5/12/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Charles Blocker, David Simpson.

Roll WHPO-6287 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-6287-, Swearing-in ceremony of Jerris Leonard, performed by Justice Harry A. Blackmun. President Nixon with the Leonard family. 5/12/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Justice Harry A. Blackmun, Jerris Leonard, Marieellen Leonard, Mary Alice Leonard, Gib Leonard, John Leonard, Katie Leonard, Frank Leonard, Danny Leonard.

Roll WHPO-6288 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-6288-, George Shultz conducting a press briefing. 5/12/1971, Washington, D.C. Briefing Room, White House. George W. Shultz, press corps members.

Roll WHPO-6289 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-6289-, President Nixon standing with White House photographer Ollie Atkins and his photo assistant Buck May. 5/12/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Oliver Atkins, Buck May.
• Frame(s): WHPO-6289-05, President Nixon standing with White House Photo Office director/photographer Ollie Atkins and his photo assistant Buck May in the Oval Office. 5/12/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Oliver Atkins, Buck May.

Roll WHPO-6290 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-6290-, President Nixon standing with White House photographer Ollie Atkins and his photo assistant Buck May. 5/12/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Oliver Atkins, Buck May.
• Frame(s): WHPO-6290-04, President Nixon shaking hands with Buck May, a member of the WHPO photo office staff. 5/12/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Buck May.

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.

C - First Lady

• WHCA-SR-C-041
  Remarks by Pat Nixon at a reception for lawyers' wives of DC, with Mrs. Arthur Becker. (5/12/1970, State Dining Room)
  
  Runtime: 0:32
  
  Production credits: Audio feed supplied by WHCA; Recorded by JLS (initials of WHCA engineer)
  
  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-4368
  Weekly News Summary, Tape II.
  ALL NETWORKS
  Runtime: 1:30
  
  11. Smith/Clark: New hopes for Supersonic Transport (SST) financing. Time Code Start: 17:05. Keywords: Supersonic Transport, SST, aircraft, speed of sound, subsonic airliners, cost, funding. Network: ABC.
  
  12. Smith/Geer: California Representative McCloskey sets up Presidential Campaign. Time Code Start: 19:36. Keywords: Presidential elections, campaigns, campaigning, candidates. Network: ABC.
  
  13. Smith: Commentary on Social Progress Reversal; Government has failed to increase national wealth; progress of 1960s coming undone. Time Code Start: 23:00. Keywords: political comments, opinions, criticisms. Network: ABC.
  
  14. Reynolds/North: Indochina War and alledged atrocities. Time Code Start: 24:45. Keywords: Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam War, military, atrocity, torture. Network: NBC.
  
  15. Brinkley/Oliver: Public votes in Palo Alto, California on President Nixon's Vietnam policy. Time Code Start: 28:12. Keywords: Presidents, Vietnam War, criticisms, public opinions, polls, approval ratings, voting. Network: NBC.
  
  16. Cronkite/Morton: Supersonic Transport (SST) hopes for financing. Time Code Start: 30:34. Keywords: Supersonic Transport, SST, aircraft, speed of sound, subsonic airliners, cost, funding. Network: CBS.
  
  17. Cronkite/Walker: Vice President Agnew in Florida on Revenue Sharing. Time Code Start: 33:37. Keywords: bills, laws, State and Local Fiscal Assistance Act of 1972, financial aid, Vice Presidents, economy, speeches. Network: CBS.
  
  18. Cronkite/Benton: Congress Subcommittee on the CBS report "The Selling of the Pentagon". Time Code Start: 34:59. Keywords: United States Department of Defense headquarters, Armed Forces. Network: CBS.
  
  19. Cronkite/Sevareid: Lockheed's financial problems and government money. Time Code Start: 36:27. Keywords: aviation, industry, manufacturing, aircraft, finances, funding, contracts. Network: CBS.
  
  20. Cronkite/Kalb: Dollar crisis; foreign policy criticism. Time Code Start: 38:44. Keywords: economy, economics, budgets, finances, recession, inflation, money, currency, monetary values, exchange rates, decreases, wages, costs, increases. Network: CBS.
  
  21. Smith: Personal [sic] income debate. Time Code Start: 40:58. Keywords: employment, salaries, pay, wages, debates. Network: ABC.
  
  22. McGee: Personal [sic] income debate. Time Code Start: 41:42. Keywords: employment, salaries, pay, wages, debates. Network: NBC.
  
  23. Cronkite: Personal [sic] income debate. Time Code Start: 42:25. Keywords: employment, salaries, pay, wages, debates. Network: CBS.

• New York Times of May 12, 1971

• AP Images photos from May 12, 1971
• Getty Images photos from May 12, 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.

• May 1971 Broadcast Index

Wikipedia is a free encyclopedia that anyone can edit.

• May 12, 1971