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December 11, 1969

Introduction

This almanac page for Thursday, December 11, 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: Wednesday, December 10, 1969

Next Date: Friday, December 12, 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.

    Executive Orders

    Proclamations

    Acts Approved by the President

    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.

    • Former President Lyndon B. Johnson breakfasted with President Nixon at the White House.
    • The Board of Trustees of the American Medical Association met with the President at the White House.
    • The final report of the National Commission on the Causes and Prevention of Violence was presented to the President by Dr. Milton Eisenhower, Chairman, Lloyd Cutler, Executive Director, and James Campbell, General Counsel, of the Commission.
    • The President met with Gen. Lucius Clay, Dean Acheson, and Thomas Dewey for a discussion of foreign policy matters.

    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.

    • GERALD J. GALLINGHOUSE, of Louisiana, to be United States attorney for the Eastern District of Louisiana for the term of 4 years, vice Louis C. LaCour.

  • 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.

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

    East-West Trade, 1969-1972

    • 309. Action Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon, Washington, December 11, 1969

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Subject Files, Box 337, HAK/ELR Meetings. Secret; Sensitive. Attached to a December 18 memorandum from Haig to Kissinger with items for him to discuss with Richardson on December 18. Haig’s first item was to discuss how the State Department intended to implement the President’s approval of the three steps on China trade. Kissinger indicated he did discuss this item with Richardson.

    Vol. VI, Vietnam, January 1969-July 1970

    Vietnam, January 1969-July 1970

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

    Expansion of the Kissinger-Dobrynin Channel and Further Discussions on the Middle East, December 11, 1969-July 28, 1970

    Vol. XVII, China, 1969-1972

    China, 1969

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

    France

    • 134. Minutes of a National Security Council Review Group Meeting , Washington, December 11, 1969, 11:05 a.m.-12:20 p.m.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–111, Senior Review Group, SRG Minutes Originals 1969. Secret. The meeting took place in the White House Situation Room. The Review Group was considering the response to NSSM 60 (Document 133). A Department of State issues paper submitted to aid the discussion is in the National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–153, National Security Study Memoranda, NSSM 60.

    Vol. E-5, Part 2, Documents on North Africa, 1969-1972

    Libya

    • 46. Telegram 3684 From the Embassy in Libya to the Department of State, Tripoli, December 11, 1969, 1010Z

      RCC Chairman Qadhaafi, after surviving an attempted countercoup involving Minister of Defense al-Hawwaaz and Minister of the Interior al-Haasi, hinted that the coup leaders had help from Washington and London.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, POL 23–9 LIBYA. Secret; Immediate. It was repeated Priority to Algiers, Benghazi, London, Paris, Rabat, Tunis, CINCEUR, CINCUSAFE/LAS/GER, WHEELUS, OACSI/DA/WASHDC, and CO/EUCOM/FLDELEMENT/USAFAC/FRANKFURT. In telegram 206436 to Tripoli, December 12, the Department directed the Embassy to refute the allegation of involvement in the strongest possible terms. (Ibid.)

    • 47. Memorandum From Harold Saunders of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) , Washington, December 11, 1969

      Saunders transmitted negotiating instructions on the Wheelus base prepared by State and Defense.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 738, Country Files, Africa, Libya, Vol. I. Secret. Sent for action. A note on the memorandum indicates Haig approved it. The notes on the attached December 11 memorandum from Johnson to Kissinger read: “Word received by phone that Mr. Packard concurs. H.H.S.”; “O.K. Haig for HAK 2/12/69”; and “Cleared cable with Jan Barbieri, S/S, 2100–2/12/69. SS.” The instructions were transmitted in telegram 206408 to Tripoli, December 12. (Ibid., RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, DEF 15 LIBYA–US)

  • 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-2597 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2597-03-06, President Nixon sitting informally with members of the Board of Trustees of the American Medical Association. 12/11/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Roger Egeberg, Gerald Dorman, Walter Bornemeier, Burtis Montgomery, Dwight Wilbur, John Chenault, John Kernodle, Ernest Howard, Richard Wilbur, aides.

    Roll WHPO-2598 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2598-01A-03A, President Nixon sitting informally with the chairman, executive director, and general counsel of the National Commission on Causes and Prevention of Violence. 12/11/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Milton Eisenhower, Lloyd Cutler, James Campbell, H.R. Haldeman, John Ehrlichman.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2598-05A-17A, President Nixon sitting at his desk with Dr. Lee DuBridge and Peter Flanigan. 12/11/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Lee DuBridge, Peter Flanigan.

    Roll WHPO-2599 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2599-04-22, President Nixon walking with former President Lyndon Johnson (LBJ) out of the White House North Portico Entrance after they had breakfast together. 12/11/1969, Washington, D.C. North Portico entrance, White House. President Nixon, Lyndon Johnson, unidentified officials, crowd members.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2599-10, President Nixon walking with former President Lyndon Johnson (LBJ) out of the White House North Portico Entrance after they had breakfast together. 12/11/1969, Washington, D.C. North Portico entrance, White House. President Nixon, Lyndon Johnson, unidentified officials, crowd members.

    Roll WHPO-2600 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2600-, Aerial view of La Casa Pacifica, the Western White House, surrounding fields, train tracks and beach area. 12/11/1969, San Clemente, California Western White House complex, La Casa Pacifica, exterior.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2600-07, Aerial view of La Casa Pacifica, the Western White House, surrounding fields, train tracks and beach area. 12/11/1969, San Clemente, California Western White House complex, La Casa Pacifica, exterior.

    Roll WHPO-2601 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2601-01, 10-12, La Casa Pacifica grounds at the Western White House. 12/11/1969, San Clemente, California grounds, Western White House, La Casa Pacifica.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2601-02-07, Desk and seating area in President Nixon's study or den room at the Western White House, La Casa Pacifica. 12/11/1969, San Clemente, California study, Western White House, La Casa Pacifica.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2601-03, Desk and seating area in President Nixon's study or den room at the Western White House, La Casa Pacifica. 12/11/1969, San Clemente, California Western White House, La Casa Pacifica, study, interior.

    Roll WHPO-2602 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2602-, American flag at the La Casa Pacifica's flagpole. 12/11/1969, San Clemente, California grounds, Western White House, La Casa Pacifica.

    Roll WHPO-2603 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2603-01-12, La Casa Pacifica inner courtyard tiled fountain, outdoor fireplace and outdoor stairway to the upper level at the Western White House. 12/11/1969, San Clemente, California grounds, Western White House, La Casa Pacifica.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2603-05, La Casa Pacifica inner courtyard tiled fountain, outdoor fireplace and outdoor stairway to the upper level at the Western White House. 12/11/1969, San Clemente, California Western White House, La Casa Pacifica.

    Roll WHPO-2604 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2604-, Aerial view of La Casa Pacifica buildings at the Western White House complex. Includes the helipad, parking lot, swimming pool, surrounding fields, train tracks and beach area in San Clemente. 12/11/1969, San Clemente, California Western White House, La Casa Pacifica, exterior.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2604-08, Aerial view of La Casa Pacifica buildings at the Western White House complex. Includes the helipad, parking lot, swimming pool, surrounding fields, train tracks and beach area in San Clemente. 12/11/1969, San Clemente, California Western White House, La Casa Pacifica, exterior.

    Roll WHPO-2605 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2605-, The Western White House, La Casa Pacifica from driveway at far side of center front lawn, looking toward arched front door entrance. American Flag hanging on center lawn flagpole. 12/11/1969, San Clemente, California Western White House, La Casa Pacifica, exterior.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2605-01, The Western White House, La Casa Pacifica from driveway at far side of center front lawn, looking toward arched front door entrance. American Flag hanging on center lawn flagpole. 12/11/1969, San Clemente, California Western White House, La Casa Pacifica, exterior.

    Roll WHPO-2606 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2606-01-12, The Western White House, La Casa Pacifica grounds and building exteriors. 12/11/1969, San Clemente, California grounds, Western White House.

    Roll WHPO-2607 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2607-02-11, Fountain in an inner courtyard. 12/11/1969, San Clemente, California grounds, Western White House.

    Roll WHPO-2608 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2608-02-18, Grounds and buildings, exterior. 12/11/1969, San Clemente, California grounds, Western White House.

    Roll WHPO-2609 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2609-02-34, Grounds and buildings, exterior. 12/11/1969, San Clemente, California grounds, Western White House.

    Roll WHPO-2610 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2610-04A-15A, President Nixon's Western White House study room interior. 12/11/1969, San Clemente, California study, Western White House.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2610-16A-33A, Western White House, exterior. 12/11/1969, San Clemente, California buildings, Western White House.

    Roll WHPO-2611 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2611-02, Aerial view of La Casa Pacifica buildings, the Western White House complex, helipad, gazebo at cliff side, surrounding fields, train tracks in San Clemente. 12/11/1969, San Clemente, California Western White House, La Casa Pacifica, exterior.

    Roll WHPO-2612 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2612-00A-15A, Perimeter exterior of La Casa Pacifica house and grounds. 12/11/1969, San Clemente, California exterior, Western White House. unidentified man.

    Roll WHPO-2613 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2613-, La Casa Pacifica tiled Fountain in the inner courtyard. 12/11/1969, San Clemente, California exterior, Western White House, La Casa Pacifica.

    Roll WHPO-2614 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2614-, Western White House, exterior. 12/11/1969, San Clemente, California exterior, Western White House, La Casa Pacifica.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2614-01-08, President Nixon's study or den room interior. 12/11/1969, San Clemente, California study, Western White House, La Casa Pacifica.

    Roll WHPO-2615 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2615-01A-02A, President Nixon standing with General Lucius Clay, former Governor Thomas E. Dewey, Dean Acheson, and Henry Kissinger. 12/11/1969, Washington, D.C. Oval Office, basement room, basement hall, White House. President Nixon, Lucius Clay, Thomas E. Dewey, Henry Kissinger, Dean Acheson, Bruce Harlow, unidentified assistants.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2615-03A-05A, President Nixon seated in the Oval Office with General Lucius Clay, former Governor Thomas E. Dewey, Dean Acheson, and Henry Kissinger. 12/11/1969, Washington, D.C. Oval Office, basement room, basement hall, White House. President Nixon, Lucius Clay, Thomas E. Dewey, Henry Kissinger, Dean Acheson, Bruce N. Harlow, unidentified assistants.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2615-05, President Nixon seated in the Oval Office during a meeting with General Lucius Clay, former Governor Thomas E. Dewey, Dean Acheson, and Henry Kissinger. 12/11/1969, Washington, D.C. Oval Office, White House. President Nixon, Lucius Clay, Thomas E. Dewey, Henry Kissinger, Dean Acheson.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2615-07A-12A, President Nixon standing in a basement meeting room with Bryce Harlow and Hill Administrative Assistants. 12/11/1969, Washington, D.C. basement room, White House. President Nixon, Bryce N. Harlow, unidentified assistants.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2615-13A-14A, President Nixon standing in a white House basement hallway talking with Bryce Harlow. 12/11/1969, Washington, D.C. basement hall, White House. President Nixon, Bryce N. Harlow, unidentified assistants.

    Roll WHPO-2616 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2616-02A-27A, Robert Brown and others touring Mississippi, including Mound Bayou Community Hospital. 12/11/1969, Mississippi Mound Bayou Community Hospital, unidentified sites, airplane. Bob Brown, unidentified persons.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2616-28A-33A, Robert Brown and others on an airplane. 12/11/1969, Mississippi Mound Bayou Community Hospital, unidentified sites, airplane. Bob Brown, unidentified persons.

    Roll WHPO-2617 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2617-03-07, Robert Brown and others on an airplane. 12/11/1969, Mississippi airplane. Bob Brown, unidentified persons.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2617-08-10, Robert Brown and other outside an airplane. 12/11/1969, Mississippi airplane, unidentified sites. Bob Brown, unidentified persons.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2617-11-34, Robert Brown and others touring Mississippi. 12/11/1969, Mississippi airplane, unidentified sites. Bob Brown, unidentified persons.

    Roll WHPO-2618 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2618-03-07, Martin Anderson sitting with an unidentified student. 12/11/1969, Washington, D.C. unknown. Martin Anderson, student.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2618-08-10, Martin Anderson standing with an unidentified student. 12/11/1969, Washington, D.C. unknown. Martin Anderson, student.

    Roll WHPO-2637 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2637-05-06, Bob Brown talking to unidentified men. 12/11/1969, Mississippi unknown outdoor location. Bob Brown, unidentified men.

  • 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.

    I - Various Administration Events

    • WHCA-SR-I-071D
      White House tour for the blind - initial recording. (12/11/1969, Recording studio)

      Runtime: 0:28:11

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

      Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Production Element. Technical notes: 1 hour, 8 minutes and 33 seconds of silence at end of recording removed from access copies.
    • WHCA-SR-I-071E
      White House tour for the blind - initial recording. (12/11/1969, Recording studio)

      Runtime: 0:28:18

      Production credits: WHCA only; JLS (WHCA engineer initials)

      Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Production Element. Technical notes: 20 minutes and 16 seconds of silence at end of recording removed from access copies.

    P - Formal Presidential Remarks

    • WHCA-SR-P-691215
      Remarks by President Nixon at a Congressional reception with BH. (12/11/1969)

      Runtime: 12:33

      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-3564
      Weekly News Summary. Richard Nixon, familes of Vietnam Prisoner's of War, (Vietnam Prisoner of War and POW families), Secretary of State William Rogers.
      All networks
      Runtime: 00:31:49

      7. Report on former President Johnson (LBJ) and President Nixon. Time Code Start: 10:40. Keywords: Presidents, history, reports. Network: CBS.

      8. Report on former President Johnson (LBJ) and President Nixon. Time Code Start: 12:14. Keywords: Presidents, history, reports. Network: NBC.

      9. Report on former President Johnson (LBJ) and President Nixon. Time Code Start: 14:00. Keywords: Presidents, history, reports. Network: ABC.

Context (External Sources)