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April 2, 1970

Introduction

This almanac page for Thursday, April 2, 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, April 1, 1970

Next Date: Friday, April 3, 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.

    Addresses and Remarks

    • Settlement of the Postal Dispute (6 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 470, April 2, 1970)
      The President's Remarks Following a Meeting With Government and Union Representatives To Discuss the Settlement.

    Appointments and Nominations

    Statements by the President

    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.

    • Press conference of Donald E. Johnson, Administrator of Veterans Affairs, and Dr. Marc J. Musser, Chief Medical Director, Veterans Administration, on the President's statement on veterans medical benefits.
    • Remarks of the President on the opening of the Briefing Room in the new press quarters in the White House.
    • Press conference of John D. Ehrlichman, Assistant to the President, and Ronald L. Ziegler, Press Secretary to the President, on the President's meeting with Government and union representatives to discuss the postal settlement.

    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 visited with White House correspondents at the opening of the new press facilities in the West Terrace at the White House.

  • 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. II, Organization and Management of U.S. Foreign Policy, 1969-1972

    The NSC System

    Vol. V, United Nations, 1969-1972

    U.S. Position Papers and Assessments of General Assembly Sessions

    UN Finances and Reduction of the U.S. Assessment

    • 157. Telegram From the Department of State to the Mission to the United Nations, Washington, April 2, 1970, 1550Z

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, UN 10–1. Confidential. Drafted by Edward W. Lawrence; cleared by Ward P. Allen, Joseph F. Donelan, Louis E. Frechtling, and Strait (BOB); and approved by Assistant Secretary De Palma. Repeated to Vienna and the Mission in Geneva.

    Vol. XX, Southeast Asia, 1969-1972

    Indonesia

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

    The Cease-Fire Agreement

    • 107. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in the Soviet Union , Washington, April 2, 1970, 0115Z

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 1186, Saunders Files, Middle East Negotiations Files, Middle East Settlement—US–USSR Talks. Secret; Nodis. Drafted on April 1 by Sisco, cleared by Adolph Dubs (EUR/SOV), and approved by Sisco. Repeated to USUN.

    Vol. XXVIII, Southern Africa

    Regional Issues

    Vol. XXXIV, National Security Policy, 1969-1972

    Chemical and Biological Warfare, Safeguard Phase II, the Draft

    • 136. Memorandum From President Nixon to the Chairman of the Defense Program Review Committee (Kissinger), Washington, April 2, 1970

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–98, Meeting Files, DPRC General, 1969–Feb. 1970. Top Secret; Sensitive. Kissinger sent the memorandum to Nixon under a covering memorandum, March 30, that reads as follows: “In order to prevent a repetition of the problems which we had with the FY 71 Budget as it pertained to Defense Department expenditures, a basic charter is needed for the Defense Program Review Committee. It is requested that you sign the attached memorandum, which is designed to provide direction for this year’s DPRC efforts.”

    • 137. Memorandum From Secretary of State Rogers to President Nixon, Washington, April 2, 1970

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, DEF 6 US. Secret. Drafted on March 28 by Jackson L. Smith, James E. Goodby, and J. L. Burns of EUR/RPM. Cleared by Ralph J. McGuire, Director, EUR/RPM. Copies were sent to S/S:RF, EUR, and EUR/RPM. Hillenbrand sent the memorandum to Rogers on March 30 under a covering memorandum. Nixon had asked Rogers for a study of NATO’s views of the United States’ potential adoption of an all-volunteer armed force during the NSC meeting held on March 24; see Document 135.

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

    U.S. Policy Towards Terrorism, Hijacking of Aircraft, and Attacks on Civil Aviation: Policy Towards Kidnapping of U.S. Officials Abroad, April 1970-April 1971

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

    • 167. Telegram 1957 From the Embassy in Turkey to the Department of State, Ankara, April 2, 1970, 1115Z

      Turkish Prime Minister Demirel told Ambassador Handley that the Turkish Government could not plow under the current opium crop because it would lead to civil disturbance and create public support for more planting.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files1970-73, INCO-DRUGS TUR. Confidential; Limdis. Repeated to Paris.

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

    The Horn

    • 285. Memorandum of Conversation , Washington, April 2, 1970, 4 p.m.

      Ambassador Azhari, in a farewell visit with Secretary Rogers, stated that ditente would continue as would Somali flag vessels trading with North Vietnam. While the financial benefits of the latter were negligible, the trade continued as a matter of national sovereignty and prestige. The Secretary noted that Congress had laid down very explicit instructions with regard to aid to countries engaged in such trade.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL ETH-Somali. Secret; Noforn. Drafted by Edward Holmes (AF/E).

  • 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-3243 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-3243-3A-14A, Portraits of Air Force General Dr. Stanley H. Bear, assistant to President Nixon's personal physician. 4/2/1970, Unknown Dr. S. H. Bear.

    Roll WHPO-3244 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-3244-03-29, White House Press Room during a work day. 4/2/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Press Room. reporters & photographers of the press corps.

    Roll WHPO-3245 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-3245-02A-04A, President Nixon meeting with Postal negotiators to announce a settlement. 4/2/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Cabinet Room. President Nixon, George Meany, Winton M. Blount, George Shultz, Elmer T. Klassen, Kenneth A. Housman, Paul N. Carlin, James P. Blaisdell, James D. Hodgson, William J. Usery, John Leslie, Jack Warshaw, James C. Gildea, Francis J. Filbey, James H. Rademacher, Jr., Herbert F. Alfrey, Lonnie Johnson, Monroe Crabler, Chester W. Parrish, Michael J. Cullen, Albert Zack, James R. Holland, James Lapenta, Louis Cox, David Nelson.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-3245-04A, President Nixon meeting with Postal negotiators to announce a settlement. 4/2/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Cabinet Room. President Nixon, George Meany, Winton M. Blount, George Shultz; Present according to the PDD: Elmer T. Klassen, Kenneth A. Housman, Paul N. Carlin, James P. Blaisdell, James D. Hodgson, William J. Usery, John Leslie, Jack Warshaw, James C. Gildea, Francis J. Filbey, James H. Rademacher, Jr., Herbert F. Alfrey, Lonnie Johnson, Monroe Crabler, Chester W. Parrish, Michael J. Cullen, Albert Zack, James R. Holland, James Lapenta, Louis Cox, David Nelson.

    Roll WHPO-3246 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-3246-03A-21A, President Nixon meeting with Postal negotiators to announce a settlement. 4/2/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Cabinet Room. President Nixon, George Meany, Winton M. Blount, George Shultz, Elmer T. Klassen, Kenneth A. Housman, Paul N. Carlin, James P. Blaisdell, James D. Hodgson, William J. Usery, John Leslie, Jack Warshaw, James C. Gildea, Francis J. Filbey, James H. Rademacher, Jr., Herbert F. Alfrey, Lonnie Johnson, Monroe Crabler, Chester W. Parrish, Michael J. Cullen, Albert Zack, James R. Holland, James Lapenta, Louis Cox, David Nelson.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-3246-20A, President Nixon meeting with Postal negotiators to announce a settlement. 4/2/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Cabinet Room. President Nixon, George Meany, Winton M. Blount, George Shultz; Present according to the PDD: Elmer T. Klassen, Kenneth A. Housman, Paul N. Carlin, James P. Blaisdell, James D. Hodgson, William J. Usery, John Leslie, Jack Warshaw, James C. Gildea, Francis J. Filbey, James H. Rademacher, Jr., Herbert F. Alfrey, Lonnie Johnson, Monroe Crabler, Chester W. Parrish, Michael J. Cullen, Albert Zack, James R. Holland, James Lapenta, Louis Cox, David Nelson.

  • 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-155
      Press briefing by Gerald Warren, Donald Johnson, and Dr. Messer concerning veterans affairs. (4/2/1970, Roosevelt Room, White House)

      Runtime: 16:20

      Keywords: Press conferences, news conferences, interviews, media

      Production credits: Audio feed supplied by "MBS"; Recorded by KAP (initials of WHCA engineer)

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

    P - Formal Presidential Remarks

    • WHCA-SR-P-700401
      Remarks by President Nixon in dedication of the White House Press Lobby and comments on the postal wage proposal. (4/2/1970, White House Press Lobby)

      Runtime: 0:24:58

      Production credits: Audio feed supplied by WHCA; Recorded by Stenslie (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-3672
      Weekly News Summary.
      All networks
      Runtime: 00:11:31

      3. President Nixon with Postal negotiators; Postmaster General Winton Blount and AFL-CIO President George Meany meet; 6% pay raise for all federal employees. Time Code Start: 04:49. Keywords: U.S. Postal Service, U.S. Post Office, strikes, mail, strikes, unions, leaders, negotiations, economy, inflation, money, wages, increases. Network: CBS.

      4. President Nixon with Postal negotiators. Time Code Start: 05:29. Keywords: U.S. Postal Service, U.S. Post Office, strikes, mail, strikes, unions, leaders, negotiations, economy, inflation, money, wages, increases. Network: NBC.

      5. Huntley/Kaplow: Report on the Draft; recruitment and deferment elimination included in President Nixon's proposition leading to volunteer Arm. Time Code Start: 06:03. Keywords: military, conscription, selective service, lottery, laws, draft reform, draft evasion. Network: NBC.

Context (External Sources)