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December 12, 1971

Introduction

This almanac page for Sunday, December 12, 1971, 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: Saturday, December 11, 1971

Next Date: Monday, December 13, 1971

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.

    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.

  • 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

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.

    • No President's Daily Brief delivered on this date

  • 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

    • 218. Telegram From the Mission to the European Community to the Department of State, Brussels, December 12, 1971, 0114Z

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Subject Files, Box 356, Monetary Matters. Confidential. The copy of the telegram printed here does not have the list of posts to which the telegram may have been repeated. It is attached to a December 11 memorandum from Peterson to Kissinger entitled “Trade Negotiations Status—To Take With You to Azores Meeting.”

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

    Trade and Commerce, 1969-1972

    • 261. Telegram From the Mission to the European Community to the Department of State, Bonn, December 12, 1971, 1600Z

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, S/S Files: Lot 73 D 153, Morning Summaries August 25-December 31, 1971, December 13, 1971. Confidential; Immediate. Repeated to Bern, Bonn, Brussels, Copenhagen, Dublin, The Hague, Helsinki, Lisbon, London, Luxembourg, Oslo, Paris, Reykjavik, Rome, Stockholm, and Vienna.

    Vol. VII, Vietnam, July 1970-January 1972

    Military and Diplomatic Stalemate, October 11, 1971-January 26, 1972

    Vol. XI, South Asia Crisis, 1971

    South Asia Crisis, 1971

    Vol. XVII, China, 1969-1972

    China, October 1971-February 1972

    • 177. Memorandum of Conversation, New York, December 12, 1971, 3:50-4:20 p.m.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 849, President’s File—China Trip, China Exchanges. Top Secret; Sensitive; Exclusively Eyes Only.

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

    Portugal

    • 270. Memorandum of Conversation, Lajes, Azores, December 12, 1971, 10:20 p.m.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, White House Special Files, President’s Office Files, Memos for the President. Secret; Nodis. The meeting took place in the quarters of the U.S. Commanding General, Lajes Field. Nixon was in the Azores for meetings with French President Georges Pompidou.

    Vol. E-7, Documents on South Asia, 1969-1972

    India and Pakistan: Crisis and War, March-December 1971

    • 176. Telegram 12414 From the Embassy in Pakistan to the Department of State, Islamabad, December 12, 1971, 0825Z

      Ambassador Farland asked Pakistani President Yahya to clarify Pakistan’s position with respect to a cease-fire.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 27 INDIA–PAK. Secret; Immediate; Exdis. Repeated to Dacca, New Delhi, and USUN.

    • 177. Conversation Among President Nixon, the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), and the Deputy Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs (Haig), Washington, December 12, 1971, 8:45-9:42 a.m.

      In the course of discussing the public opinion aspects of the crisis, a UN resolution to condemn India as an aggressor, and a hotline message to Moscow, Nixon, Kissinger, and Haig were confronted with the implications of having offered to protect China from the Soviet Union if China intervened in the conflict between India and Pakistan.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, White House Tapes, Recording of conversation among Nixon, Kissinger and Haig, Oval Office, Conversation No. 637–3. No classification marking. The editor transcribed the conversation published here specifically for this volume.

    • 178. Conversation Between President Nixon and the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), Washington, December 12, 1971, 10:27-10:37 a.m.

      Nixon and Kissinger reacted to the news that India had offered an assurance that it would not attack West Pakistan.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, White House Tapes, Recording of conversation between Nixon and Kissinger, Oval Office, Conversation No. 637–6. No classification marking. The editor transcribed the conversation published here specifically for this volume.

    • 179. Conversation Between President Nixon and the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), Washington, December 12, 1971, 11:04-11:14 a.m.

      Nixon and Kissinger completed drafting the hotline message to the Soviet Union.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, White House Tapes, Recording of conversation between Nixon and Kissinger, Oval Office, Conversation No. 637–11. No classification marking. The editor transcribed the conversation published here specifically for this volume.

    • 180. Memorandum From the Executive Secretary of the Department of State (Eliot) to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs, Washington, December 12, 1971

      The contingency paper, prepared for the Washington Special Actions Group, examined the refugee problem created by the conflict in East Pakistan from humanitarian, political, economic and managerial perspectives, but assumed the “overriding importance” of humanitarian considerations.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL INDIA–PAK. Secret; Nodis. Drafted on December 10 by Thomas P. Thornton (S/PC). Thornton also apparently drafted the attached study. Cleared in S/P by Deputy Director Joseph Neubert and Cargo; in NEA by Van Hollen, Quainton, and Constable; and in S/R, IO/UNP, INR/RNA, and AID/NESA.

    • 181. Telegram 223704 From the Department of State to the Embassy in India, Washington, December 12, 1971, 2250Z

      Indian Ambassador Jha responded to a U.S. request to outline India’s war aims.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 27 INDIA–PAK. Secret; Priority; Exdis. Also sent immediate as Tosec 9 to the White House with a request to pass it to Secretary Rogers on Air Force One. Repeated to Dacca, Islamabad, London, Moscow, and USUN. Drafted by Quainton and approved by Irwin

  • 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

  • Visit the White House Tapes finding aid to learn about the taping system's operation and archival processing.

    White House Telephone

  • 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-7991 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-7991-01A-04A, President Nixon walking to a helicopter. 12/12/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, South Grounds. President Nixon, military aide.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-7991-05A-08A, President Nixon's helicopter lifting off. 12/12/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, South Grounds.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-7991-09A-10A, White House Christmas tree, decorated. 12/12/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, East Room.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-7991-11A-19A, Pat Nixon, Julie Nixon Eisenhower, and White House staff members putting up Christmas decorations and small Christmas trees on pedestals, near a doorway that leads to a stairway. A portrait painting of former President Lyndon Baines Johnson hangs to the right of the door. 12/12/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, Grand Hall. Pat Nixon, Julie Nixon Eisenhower, unidentified staff members.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-7991-13A, Pat Nixon, Julie Nixon Eisenhower, and White House staff members putting up Christmas decorations and small Christmas trees on pedestals near the Grand Staircase. A portrait painting of former President Lyndon Baines Johnson hangs to the right. 12/12/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, Grand Hall. Pat Nixon, Julie Eisenhower, unidentified men and women.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-7991-20A-30A, Portraits of Pat Nixon, Julie Eisenhower, and others in front of Christmas decorations. 12/12/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, Grand Hall. Julie Eisenhower, unidentified men and women.

    Roll WHPO-7992 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-7992-02-15, Presidential dogs, Vicki, Pasha, and King Timahoe, in front of the Nixon's White House family residence Christmas tree. 12/12/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, East Sitting Room. Vicki, the Poodle; Pasha, the Yorkshire Terrier; Irish Setter King Timahoe.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-7992-12, The Nixon family dogs, Vicki, Pasha, and King Timahoe, sitting in front of the Nixon's White House family residence Christmas tree. 12/12/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, East Sitting Room. Vicki, the Poodle; Pasha, the Yorkshire Terrier; Irish Setter King Timahoe.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-7992-16-32, President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Julie Eisenhower, David Eisenhower, Tricia Nixon Cox, and Ed Cox gathering around their family Christmas tree with the Presidential dogs, Vicki, Pasha and King Timahoe, during a special CBS-TV holiday show taping. 12/12/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, East Sitting Room. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Julie Eisenhower, David Eisenhower, Tricia Nixon Cox, Ed Cox, reporters Charles Kuralt and Marya McLaughlin, TV crew, Nixon Family Dogs: Vicki, the Poodle; Pasha, the Yorkshire Terrier; Irish Setter King Timahoe.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-7992-28, President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Julie Eisenhower, David Eisenhower, Tricia Nixon Cox, and Ed Cox gathering around their family Christmas tree with the Presidential dogs, Vicki, Pasha, and King Timahoe, during a special CBS-TV holiday show taping. Charles Kuralt and reporter Marya McLaughlin stand nearby holding microphones. 12/12/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, East Sitting Room. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Julie Eisenhower, David Eisenhower, Tricia Nixon Cox, Ed Cox, reporters Charles Kuralt and Marya McLaughlin, TV crew, Nixon Family Dogs: Vicki, the Poodle; Pasha, the Yorkshire Terrier; Irish Setter King Timahoe.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-7992-31, President Nixon, Julie Eisenhower, David Eisenhower, Tricia Nixon Cox, and Ed Cox gathering around their family Christmas tree during a special CBS-TV holiday taping. Reporter Marya McLaughlin is visible holding a microphone on the left edge of the frame. 12/12/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, East Sitting Room. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Julie Eisenhower, David Eisenhower, Tricia Nixon Cox, Ed Cox, reporters Charles Kuralt and Marya McLaughlin, TV crew.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-7992-33, The decorated Nixon White House family residence Christmas tree. 12/12/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, East Sitting Room.

    Roll WHPO-7993 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-7993-01A-19A, Pat Nixon and Julie Eisenhower giving CBS reporters Charles Kuralt and Marya McLaughlin a tour of the White House, showing Christmas decorations. 12/12/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, interior. Pat Nixon, Julie Eisenhower, Charles Kuralt, reporter Marya McLaughlin.

    Roll WHPO-7994 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-7994-01A-33A, President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Julie Eisenhower, David Eisenhower, Tricia Nixon Cox, and Ed Cox with the Presidential dogs, Vicki, Pasha and King Timahoe around a Christmas tree. 12/12/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, East Sitting Room. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Julie Eisenhower, David Eisenhower, Tricia Nixon Cox, Ed Cox.

    Roll WHPO-7995 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-7995-01-20, President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Julie Eisenhower, David Eisenhower, Tricia Nixon Cox, and Ed Cox around a Christmas tree. 12/12/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, East Sitting Room. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Julie Eisenhower, David Eisenhower, Tricia Nixon Cox, Ed Cox.

    Roll WHPO-7996 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-7996-04A-08A, Pat Nixon and Julie Eisenhower speaking with CBS reporters reporters Charles Kuralt and Marya McLaughlin in the East Room, decorated for Christmas. 12/12/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, East Room. Pat Nixon, Julie Eisenhower, reporters Charles Kuralt and Marya McLaughlin,TV crew.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-7996-13A-14A, Portrait of Pat Nixon and Julie Eisenhower with unidentified persons. 12/12/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, Grand Hall. Pat Nixon, Julie Eisenhower, unidentified men and women.

    Roll WHPO-7997 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-7997-01-12, President Nixon Pat Nixon, Julie Eisenhower, David Eisenhower, Tricia Nixon Cox, and Ed Cox, with the Presidential dogs, Pasha, Vicki and King Timahoe, standing around the Christmas tree with CBS reporters Charles Kuralt and Marya McLaughlin. 12/12/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, East Sitting Room. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Julie Eisenhower, David Eisenhower, Tricia Nixon Cox, Ed Cox, Reporters Charles Kuralt and Marya McLaughlin, TV crew, Pasha, Vicky, King Timahoe.

    Roll WHPO-7998 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-7998-02A-07A, A portrait of Presidential dogs, Pasha, Vicki and King Timahoe in front of the Nixon family Christmas tree. 12/12/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, East Sitting Room. Pasha, Vicky, King Timahoe.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-7998-05, A portrait of Presidential dogs, Pasha, Vicki and King Timahoe in front of the Nixon family Christmas tree. 12/12/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, East Sitting Room. Pasha, Vicky, King Timahoe.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-7998-08A, 33A, President Nixon Pat Nixon, Julie Eisenhower, David Eisenhower, Tricia Nixon Cox, and Ed Cox, with the Presidential dogs, Pasha, Vicki and King Timahoe, standing around the Christmas tree with CBS reporters Charles Kuralt and Marya McLaughlin. 12/12/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, East Sitting Room. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Julie Eisenhower, David Eisenhower, Tricia Nixon Cox, Ed Cox, Charles Kuralt and Marya McLaughlin, TV crew, Pasha, Vicky, King Timahoe.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-7998-24A, President Nixon, Pat Nixon (seated on the floor), Julie Eisenhower, David Eisenhower, Tricia Nixon Cox, and Ed Cox standing around the family Christmas tree with CBS reporters Charles Kuralt and Marya McLaughlin. 12/12/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, East Sitting Room. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Julie Eisenhower, David Eisenhower, Tricia Nixon Cox, Ed Cox, Charles Kuralt, Marya McLaughlin.

    Roll WHPO-8020 Photographer: Schumaker, Byron | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-8020-02-02A, President Nixon leaving the Spirit of '76. (Air Force One). 12/12/1971, The Azores Lajes Field, tarmac. President Nixon, Marcelo Caetano, officials, crowd.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8020-03A-12A, President Nixon greeting members of the crowd that has gathered at Lajes Field tarmac. 12/12/1971, The Azores Lajes Field, tarmac. President Nixon, Marcelo Caetano, officials, crowd.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8020-13A-19A, President Nixon sitting with Prime Minister Marcelo Caetano of Portugal. 12/12/1971, The Azores residence of Brigadier Genernal Aldrich. President Nixon, Marcelo Caetano, officials, crowd.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8020-17A, President Nixon smiling during a meeting with Prime Minister Marcelo Caetano of Portugal. 12/12/1971, The Azores residence of Brigadier Genernal Aldrich. President Nixon, Marcelo Caetano.

    Roll WHPO-8021 Photographer: Schumaker, Byron | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-8021-01-03, President Nixon being greeted at the airport. 12/12/1971, The Azores Lajes Field, terminal. President Nixon, Marcelo Caetano, crowd.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8021-04-05, President Nixon sitting with Prime Minister Marcelo Caetano of Portugal. 12/12/1971, The Azores residence of Brig. Gen. Aldrich. President Nixon, Marcelo Caetano, crowd.

    Roll WHPO-8022 Photographer: Schumaker, Byron | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-8022-01-03, President Nixon being greeted at the airport. 12/12/1971, The Azores Lajes Field, terminal. President Nixon, crowd.

    Roll WHPO-8025 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-8025-02-08, President Nixon talking with officials upon arrival. 12/12/1971, The Azores Lajes Field, terminal. President Nixon, officials, Marcelo Caetano.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8025-09-30, President Nixon sitting with Prime Minister of the Republic of Portugal Marcelo Caetano. 12/12/1971, The Azores residence of Brig. Gen. Aldrich. President Nixon, unidentified officials, Marcelo Caetano.

    Roll WHPO-8026 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-8026-02A-04A, William Rogers and Ron Ziegler at a briefing onboard the Spirit of '76. 12/12/1971, air, The Azores Spirit of '76, interior. William Rogers, Ronald Ziegler, unidentified men.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8026-05A, President Nixon waving upon exiting the terminal. 12/12/1971, air, The Azores Lajes Field, terminal. President Nixon, unidentified men, crowd.

    Roll WHPO-8027 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-8027-02A-05A, President Nixon meeting with William Rogers, John Connally, and others prior to landing at the Azores. 12/12/1971, air Spirit of '76, interior. President Nixon, William Rogers, john Connally, unidentified men.

    Roll WHPO-8038 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-8038-, President Nixon and Ron Ziegler holding a press briefing. 12/12/1971, air Spirit of '76. President Nixon, Ziegler, press corps members.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8038-02A, President Nixon and Ron Ziegler talking to the press aboard Air Force One. 12/12/1971, air Spirit of '76.

  • 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-478
      Press briefing by Ronald Ziegler regarding India-Pakistan war. (12/12/1971, Press Center, White House)

      Runtime: 0:19:14

      Keywords: Press conferences, news conferences, interviews, media, press secretary

      Production credits: Audio feed supplied by WHCA; Recorded by LDH (initials of WHCA engineer)

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

    K - Informal Presidential Remarks

    • WHCA-SR-K-248
      Arrival Remarks at Lajes AFB-Azores. (12/12/1971)

      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-4876
      "Face The Nation", "Meet The Press" AND "Issues And Answers".
      Undetermined
      Runtime: 01:29:55
    • WHCA-4877
      "Newswatch".
      Eastern Educational Network
      Runtime: 00:32:58
    • WHCA-4878
      "60 Minutes". segments on draft evaders, Texas Rangerettes and the India-Pakistan conflict
      Metromedia
      Runtime: 00:59:37

Context (External Sources)