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September 19, 1969

Introduction

This almanac page for Friday, September 19, 1969, 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: Thursday, September 18, 1969

Next Date: Saturday, September 20, 1969

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 Camp David, Maryland

  • 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.

    Addresses and Remarks

    • Draft Reform (5 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 1283, September 19, 1969)
      The President's Remarks Announcing Changes in Draft Calls and Executive Actions To Be Taken in the Absence of Congressional Action on the Draft.

    Appointments and Nominations

    News Conferences

    • Draft Reform (5 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 1283, September 19, 1969)
      News Conference of Secretary of Defense Melvin R. Laird Following the President's Announcement of Draft Actions.

    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.

    • Governor Luis Ferre of Puerto Rico met with the President at the White House.
    • Representatives of the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists met with the President at the White House to present a bound volume of original cartoons.
    • Roger Blough, representing the Construction Users Anti-Inflation Round Table, met with the President at the White House.
    • The President today acknowledged the decision of Robert Van Pelt to retire from regular active service as a United States District Judge for the District of Nebraska. His retirement will be effective upon the appointment and qualification of a successor.
    • The President today announced his intention to nominate Arlin M. Adams to be a United States Circuit Judge for the Third Circuit, which sits in Philadelphia.
    • Press conference of Senator Gordon Allott and Representative Gerald R. Ford following Republican leadership meeting.
    • Itinerary for the world tour of the Apollo 11 astronauts.

    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.

    • ERNEST V. SIRACUSA, of California, a Foreign Service Officer of Class one, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Bolivia.
    • EUGENE A. GULLEDGE, of North Carolina, to be an Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, vice Philip N. Brownstein, resigned.

  • 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.

  • 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. III, Foreign Economic Policy; International Monetary Policy, 1969-1972

    International Monetary Policy, 1969-1972

    • 138. Memorandum From Secretary of the Treasury Kennedy to President Nixon, Washington, September 19, 1969

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Agency Files, Box 289, Treasury, Volume I. Confidential. An attached September 24 note from Haig to Bergsten requested, “as a matter of urgency, a cover memorandum from Henry to the President,” presumably Document 139, to which a copy of this memorandum is attached as Tab E. Another copy is attached to a copy of the September 8 memorandum from McCracken to the President (Document 137) proposing a more forthcoming approach at the IMF and IBRD annual meeting, and this memorandum by Secretary Kennedy is presumably the Treasury Department reply.

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

    Establishment of the Kissinger-Dobrynin Channel; Dialogue on the Middle East; and the Sino-Soviet Dispute, April 23-December 10, 1969

    Vol. XIX, Part 1, Korea, 1969-1972

    North Korean Shootdown of a U.S. Reconnaissance Flight and Contingency Planning, January-November 1969

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

    The Rogers Plan

    • 49. Telegram From the Mission to the United Nations to the Department of State, New York, September 19, 1969, 0151Z

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 1170, Saunders Files, Middle East Negotiations Files, Middle East Settlement—US–USSR Talks. Secret; Priority; Nodis. Saunders sent this telegram to Kissinger under cover of a September 19 memorandum. (Foreign Relations, 1969–1976, volume XII, Soviet Union, January 1969–October 1970, Document 80)

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

    U.S. Policy Towards Terrorism, Hijacking of Aircraft, and Attacks on Civil Aviation: Israeli Attack on Beirut Airport and Hijacking of TWA Flight 840, January-December 1969

    • 21. Telegram 159327 From the Department of State to the Embassy in Israel, Washington, September 19, 1969, 0004Z

      Acting Secretary of State Richardson informed Embassy Tel Aviv that Israeli Counselor Raviv had been told that third-party efforts to secure the release of the passengers of TWA Flight 840 had been exhausted. In the Department’s estimation, Syria would not agree to release the passengers without a face-saving quid-pro-quo. Raviv said the Israelis could not agree to any trade-off.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1967-69, AV 12 US. Secret. Repeated to Beirut, Rome, and USUN. Drafted by Thomas J. Scotes (NEA/ARN) on September 9 and cleared by Sisco, Seelye, Loy, and in substance with Johnson.

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

    Iran 1969

    • 21. Telegram 159738 From the Department of State to the Embassy in Iran, Washington, September 19, 1969, 2048Z

      Under Secretary of State Elliot Richardson tried to allay the anxiety of the Iranian Foreign Ministry’s Director General, Manouchehr Zelli, over anticipated student demonstrations against the Shah during his visit to the United States.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 1245, Harold Saunders Files, Middle East Negotiations, Visit of Shah of Iran, Oct. 21–23, 1969. Confidential; Priority; Limdis. Drafted in by William H. Hallman (NEA/IRN); cleared by Miklosand in S/CPR, O/SY, and SCA/VO; and approved by Rockwell. In Telegram 3704 from Tehran, September 15, the Embassy reported Zelli’s belief that radical U.S. student groups would combine with Iranian students to mount a large protest, and his request that the FBI keep demonstrations under control. (Ibid., RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, POL 7 IRAN) In Telegram 3974 from Tehran, October 1, the Embassy anticipated a high level of student protest against the Shah in the United States. (Ibid.)

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

    Mexico

    • 441. Telegram 5122 From the Embassy in Mexico to the Department of State, September 19, 1969, 1836Z. , September 19, 1969, 1836Z

      Ambassador McBride recommended against attempting any further briefings of Mexican officials regarding Operation Intercept and concluded it could have catastrophic consequences for U.S. relations with Mexico.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 787, Country Files, Latin America, Mexico, Vol. I, January–December 31, 1969. Secret; Nodis. In telegram 160292 to Mexico City, September 20, the Department advised McBride that Operation Intercept would begin at 3 p.m. Los Angeles time on Sunday, September 21, and left to his discretion whether to inform appropriate Mexican officials in advance. (Ibid.)

  • 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-1984 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-1984-01-17A, President Nixon with Illinois Governor Richard Ogilvie, Sen. Ralph Smith, and an unidentified man. 9/19/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Richard Ogilvie, Ralph Smith, unidentified man.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1984-13, President Nixon standing in the Oval Office with Illinois Governor Richard Ogilvie and Senator Ralph Smith. 9/19/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Richard Ogilvie, Ralph Smith.

    Roll WHPO-1997 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-1997-05A-10A, Vice President Agnew standing with two unidentified men. 9/19/1969, Washington, D.C. Vice Presidential Office, Executive Office Building. Spiro Agnew, Luis Ferre, unidentified men.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1997-12A-14A, Vice President Agnew standing with Luis Ferre, Governor of Puerto Rico. 9/19/1969, Washington, D.C. Vice Presidential Office, Executive Office Building. Spiro Agnew, Luis Ferre, unidentified men.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1997-15A-17A, Tricia Nixon standing with Mr. & Mrs. Benigeno de Trigo, the daughter and son-in-law of Puerto Rican Governor Luis Ferre. 9/19/1969, Washington, D.C. unknown. Tricia Nixon, Mr. & Mrs. Benigeno de Trigo.

    Roll WHPO-1998 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-1998-02-26, President Nixon receiving a presentation gift box of political cartoons while standing with Pulitzer winner Gene Payne, of the North Carolina Observer, and senior executive members of the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists (AAEC). A wall of editorial cartoons in frames is visible behind them. 9/19/1969, Washington, D.C. Executive Office Building room. President Nixon, John Collins, Montreal Gazette - Immediate Past President. Charles Brooks, Birmingham News - President. Gene Basset, Scripps Howard (D. C.) - Vice President. Gib Crockett, Washington Star. John Stampone, Army Times (D. C. ) - Past President. Hy Rosen, Albany, New York Times - Vice President. Gene Payne, Charlotte, North Carolina Observer - Pulitzer prize winner Arthur Wood, U. S. Independent Telephone Co. (D. C. ). Warren King, New York Daily News. John M. Morris, AP( New York) - First Vice President and Secretary-Treasurer. James Berryman, Washington Star - Retired.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1998-20, President Nixon receiving a presentation gift box of political cartoons while standing with Pulitzer winner Gene Payne of the North Carolina Observer, and executive members of the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists (AAEC). A wall of editorial cartoons in frames is visible behind them. 9/19/1969, Washington, D.C. Executive Office Building room. President Nixon, John Collins, Montreal Gazette - Immediate Past President. Charles Brooks, Birmingham News - President. Gene Basset, Scripps Howard (D. C.) - Vice President. Gib Crockett, Washington Star. John Stampone, Army Times (D. C. ) - Past President. Hy Rosen, Albany, New York Times - Vice President. Gene Payne, Charlotte, North Carolina Observer - Pulitzer prize winner Arthur Wood, U. S. Independent Telephone Co. (D. C.). Warren King, New York Daily News. John M. Morris, AP( New York) - First Vice President and Secretary-Treasurer. James Berryman, Washington Star - Retired.

    Roll WHPO-1999 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-1999-03A-16A, President Nixon with Puerto Rican Governor Luis Ferro and his daughter and son-in-law, Mr. & Mrs. Benigeno di Trigo, prior to their departure. 9/19/1969, Washington, D.C. Rose Garden steps, White House. President Nixon, Luis Ferre, Mr. & Mrs. Benigeno di Trigo.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1999-04A, President Nixon standing with Puerto Rican Governor Luis Ferro and his daughter and son-in-law Mr. & Mrs. Benigeno di Trigo, prior to their departure from the White House . 9/19/1969, Washington, D.C. Rose Garden steps, White House. President Nixon, Luis Ferre, Mr. Benigeno di Trigo, Mrs. Benigeno di Trigo.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1999-17A, President Nixon climbing the steps to the Executive Office Building. 9/19/1969, Washington, D.C. outside the Executive Office Building. President Nixon, aides.

    Roll WHPO-2000 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2000-02-18, The Oval Office, interior. 9/19/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2000-19-24, President Nixon's Executive Office Building office, interior. 9/19/1969, Washington, D.C. Presidential Office, Executive Office Building.

    Roll WHPO-2001 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2001-01-11, The White House Oval Office interior. 9/19/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2001-12-16, President Nixon's Executive Office Building office, (EOB) interior. 9/19/1969, Washington, D.C. Presidential Office, Executive Office Building.

    Roll WHPO-2002 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2002-02A-32A, Pat Nixon leading female White House press corps reporters on a tour of White House. 9/19/1969, Washington, D.C. various rooms, White House. Pat Nixon, Tricia Nixon, Helen Thomas, female White House press corps members, aides.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2002-29A, Pat Nixon leading female White House press corps reporters on a tour of White House. 9/19/1969, Washington, D.C. various rooms, White House. Pat Nixon.

    Roll WHPO-2003 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2003-03-13, Pat Nixon leading female White House press corps members on a tour of the Oval Office. 9/19/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. Pat Nixon, Tricia Nixon, Helen Thomas, female White House press corps members, aides.

    Roll WHPO-2004 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2004-01A-35A, Pat Nixon leading female White House press corps members on a tour of White House. 9/19/1969, Washington, D.C. various rooms, West Wing portico, White House. Pat Nixon, Tricia Nixon, Helen Thomas, female White House press corps members, aides.

    Roll WHPO-2005 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2005-03A-06A, President Nixon shaking hands with Illinois Senator Ralph Smith, with Illinois Governor Richard Ogilvie and aide Bryce Harlow looking on. 9/19/1969, Washington, D.C. Rose Garden steps, White House. President Nixon, Richard Ogilvie, Ralph Smith, Bryce N. Harlow.

    Roll WHPO-2006 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2006-04-35, Close-up portrait study of Ginger Laville. 9/19/1969, Washington, D.C. West Wing portico, White House. Ginger Laville.

  • 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.

    P - Formal Presidential Remarks

    • WHCA-SR-P-690916
      Remarks by President Nixon regarding a reduction in military draft and an introduction of Secretary of Defense Melvin Laird to the press, with remarks by Secretary Laird and Ronald Ziegler. (9/19/1969, Roosevelt Room, White House)

      Runtime: 0:32:27

      Keywords: military, conscription, selective service, lottery, laws, Vietnam War, draft reform, draft evasion

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

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

Context (External Sources)