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April 21, 1969

Introduction

This almanac page for Monday, April 21, 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: Sunday, April 20, 1969

Next Date: Tuesday, April 22, 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 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

    • Office of Economic Opportunity (5 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 585, April 21, 1969)
      The President's Remarks Announcing His Intention To Nominate Donald Rumsfeld as Director of OEO and To Appoint Him Also as an Assistant to the President.

    Congress, Communications to

    • Tax Reform (5 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 586, April 21, 1969)
      The President's Message to the Congress on the Administration's Initial Proposals and Recommendations for Tax Reform Legislation.
    • National Capital Housing Authority (5 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 590, April 21, 1969)
      The President's Message to the Congress Transmitting the Authority's Annual Report for 1968.

    Reports to the President

    • Railway Labor Dispute (5 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 590, April 21, 1969)
      Announcement of Report of Emergency Board No. 173 Investigating the Dispute Between the Long Island Rail Road Co. and Certain Employees.

    Statements by the President

    • Office of Economic Opportunity (5 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 585, April 21, 1969)
      Statement by the President on His Intention To Nominate Donald Rumsfeld as Director of OEO and To Appoint Him Also as an Asistant to 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.

    • Announcement of intention to nominate Donald Rumsfeld as Director of the Office of Economic Opportunity.
    • Press conference of Donald Rumsfeld, Member of Congress from the State of Illinois.

    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.

    • Officials of the Veterans of Foreign Wars met with the President at the White House. The group included Richard W. Homan, National Commander; Julian Dickenson, National Adjutant; Andy Borg, Past National Commander; Cooper Holt, Executive Director; and John L. Smith, Director of Public Relations.

    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.

    • SHELBY DAVIS, of New York, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Switzerland.
    • MALCOLM TOON, of Maryland, a Foreign Service Officer of Class one, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic.
    • FRED L. HADSEL, of the District of Columbia, a Foreign Service Officer of Class one, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Somali Republic.

  • 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.

  • Argued

    Decided

    Granted

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 Intelligence Community and the White House

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

    International Development Policy, 1969-1972

    Vol. XXXIV, National Security Policy, 1969-1972

    Parity, Safeguard, and the SS-9 Controversy

    • 26. Memorandum From Secretary of Defense Laird to President Nixon, Washington, April 21, 1969

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 709, Country Files, Europe, USSR, Vol. II. Top Secret; [codeword not declassified]; No Foreign Dissem. Kissinger sent the memorandum to Nixon under a covering memorandum dated April 22. The covering memorandum, in which Kissinger summarized Laird’s points, bears a stamped note that reads, “The President has seen.”

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

    France

    • 123. National Security Study Memorandum 47 , Washington, April 21, 1969

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–147, National Security Study Memoranda, NSSM 47. Top Secret; Nodis; Noforn. Copies were sent to the Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Atomic Energy Commission.

    Spain

    • 279. National Security Study Memorandum 46 , Washington, April 21, 1969

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–147, National Security Study Memoranda, NSSM 46. Secret. A copy was sent to the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff.

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

    Oceans Policy

    • 337. Memorandum From the Acting Legal Adviser of the Department of State (Belman) to Secretary of State Rogers, Washington, April 21, 1969

      Belman forwarded to Rogers information pertinent to the issues raised by Interior Secretary Hickel’s letter of April 15, 1969, and included a draft reply.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1967-69, POL 33-8. Confidential. Sent for action. Sent through S/S and initialed by Walsh. Drafted by Belman and concurred in by McKernan and by Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary Malcolm Toon (EUR). David S. Black was Under Secretary of the Interior from 1967-69. For Tab A, see Document 339. For Tab B, see Document 336.

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

    Nigerian Civil War

    • 59. Memorandum of Conversation , Washington, April 21, 1969

      During a four-hour dinner conversation with U.S. officials, three Biafrans representatives proposed that the United States call for an arms embargo and an end to the war against Biafran independence.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, POL 27 Biafra-Nigeria. Confidential. Drafted by George Sherry (AF/W).

  • 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-0835 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-0835-01, Miscellaneous items on a desk. 4/21/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Roosevelt Room. President Nixon, Donald Rumsfeld, D. Patrick Moynihan, Ron Ziegler, John Ehrlichman, unidentified aides, press.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-0835-02-13, President Nixon announcing the appointment of Donald Rumsfeld to be director of the Office of Economic Opportunity. 4/21/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Roosevelt Room. President Nixon, Donald Rumsfeld, D. Patrick Moynihan, Ron Ziegler, John Ehrlichman, unidentified aides, press.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-0835-11, President Nixon announcing the appointment of Donald Rumsfeld to be director of the Office of Economic Opportunity. 4/21/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Roosevelt Room. President Nixon, Donald Rumsfeld, unidentified aide.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-0835-14-16, Donald Rumsfeld making remarks after being appointed as the director of the Office of Economic Opportunity. 4/21/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Roosevelt Room. President Nixon, Donald Rumsfeld, D. Patrick Moynihan, Ron Ziegler, John Ehrlichman, unidentified aides, press.

    Roll WHPO-0836 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-0836-01, unknown. 4/21/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Roosevelt Room. President Nixon, Donald Rumsfeld, D. Patrick Moynihan, Ron Ziegler, John Ehrlichman, unidentified aides, press.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-0836-02-09, President Nixon announcing the appointment of Donald Rumsfeld to be director of the Office of Economic Opportunity. 4/21/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Roosevelt Room. President Nixon, Donald Rumsfeld, D. Patrick Moynihan, Ron Ziegler, John Ehrlichman, unidentified aides, press.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-0836-10-21, Rumsfeld making remarks after being appoitned as the director of the Office of Economic Opportunity. 4/21/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Roosevelt Room. President Nixon, Donald Rumsfeld, D. Patrick Moynihan, Ron Ziegler, John Ehrlichman, unidentified aides, press.

    Roll WHPO-0837 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-0837-02-04, President Nixon meeting in the Oval office at his desk with John Ehrlichman, H.R. Haldeman, and Donald Rumsfeld. 4/21/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, John Ehrlichman, Donald Rumsfeld, Harry Haldeman.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-0837-04, President Nixon meeting in the Oval office at his desk with John Ehrlichman, H.R. Haldeman, and Donald Rumsfeld. 4/21/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, John Ehrlichman, H.R. Halderman, Donald Rumsfeld.

    Roll WHPO-0838 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-0838-03, Unidentified hallway. 4/21/1969, Washington, D.C. White House Grounds.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-0838-04-17, Mike Farrell accepting an award from the Boy Scouts. 4/21/1969, Washington, D.C. White House Grounds. Mike Farrell, unidentified Boy Scouts, others.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-0838-18, Back a boyscout attending an award ceremony at White House. 4/21/1969, Washington, D.C. White House Grounds.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-0838-19, Unidentified woman walking White House grounds. 4/21/1969, Washington, D.C. White House Grounds.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-0838-20-23, Mike Farrell and group after accepting an award from the Boy Scouts. 4/21/1969, Washington, D.C. White House Grounds. Mike Farrell, unidentified Boy Scouts, others.

    Roll WHPO-0839 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-0839-01, Unknown. 4/21/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Library.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-0839-02-12, President Nixon seated during meeting in the Oval office with VFW officers. 4/21/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, unidentified Veterans of Foreign Wars officers, press.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-0839-13-14, President Nixon during a meeting with several senators and aides; Henry Kissinger, Bryce Harlow, Senator Mike Mansfield, Senator George Aiken and Senator William Fulbright. 4/21/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Library. President Nixon, Henry Kissinger, Bryce Harlow, Mike Mansfield, George Aiken, William Fulbright.

  • 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-690414
      Remarks by President Nixon Announcing the Nomination of Representative Donald Rumsfeld as Director, Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO), with Remarks by Donal Rumsfeld. (4/21/1969, Roosevelt Room at the White House)

      Runtime: 3:35

      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-3310
      "The Tonight Show" with Vice President Agnew. Richard Nixon, Hugh Sidey (Life Magazine), Bryce Harlow, Paul Niven (interviewer), William B. Smart (Deseret News, Salt Lake City), William D. Workman (Columbia State of South Carolina), Robert Healy (Boston Globe), Elliot Richardson, Daniel Patrick Moyni.
      NET (National Educational Television, PBS)
      Runtime: 0:30

Context (External Sources)