December 18, 1970

The Daily Diary files represent a consolidated record of the President's activities. Visit the finding aid to learn more.

• Original typewritten diary (PDF)

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.

Appointments and Nominations

• National Railway Passenger Corporation (6 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 1704, December 18, 1970)
  Announcement of Intention To Nominate Eight Persons To Serve as Incorporators.

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.

• British Prime Minister Edward Heath accompanied the President to Camp David for discussions and a luncheon there. They later flew to the Eisenhower farm at Gettysburg, Pa., for a visit with Mrs. Dwight D. Eisenhower.
• In the fifth of a series of "Evenings at the White House," David Frost, Billy Taylor, the Little Angels of Korea, and the Army Chorus entertained the President and the First Lady and their guests.

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.

• The following-named persons to be Incorporators of the National Railroad Passenger Corporation for a period of one hundred and eighty days following October 30, 1970: FRANK S. BESSON, JR., of Virginia; DAVID E. BRADSHAW, of Illinois; JOHN J. GILHOOLEY, of New York; DAvID WALBRIDGE KENDALL, of Michigan; ARTHUR D. LEWIS, of Connecticut; CHARLES LUNA, of Ohio; CATHERINE MAY, of Washington; JOHN P. OLSSON, of Connecticut.

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.

• Federal Register of Friday, December 18, 1970

The Congressional Record is the official daily record of the debates and proceedings of the U.S. Congress.

• Senate: December 18, 1970
• House of Representatives: December 18, 1970
• Extensions of Remarks: December 18, 1970

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.

• Transcript of diary entry (PDF)
• Original audio recording (MP3)

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

• Text search for December 18, 1970
• Date search for December 18, 1970

All National Archives Units

• Text search for December 18, 1970
• Date search for December 18, 1970

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.

• President's Daily Brief of 18 December 1970

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. XIII, Soviet Union, October 1970-October 1971

"A Moment of Unusual Uncertainty": Meeting Between Nixon and Gromyko, October 12-December 31, 1970

• 67. Minutes of a Washington Special Actions Group Meeting, Washington, December 18, 1970, 4:14-5:02 p.m.

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–114, WSAG Minutes (Originals) 1969 and 1970 [1 of 6]. Secret; Nodis. The meeting was held in the White House Situation Room. Jeanne Davis forwarded the minutes to Kissinger for information on December 22. The full text of the minutes is printed in Foreign Relations, 1969–1976, volume XXIX, Eastern Europe; Eastern Mediterranean, 1969–1972, Document 144.

Vol. XXI, Chile, 1969-1973

Cool and Correct: The U.S. Response to the Allende Administration, November 5, 1970-December 31, 1972

• 190. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon, Washington, December 18, 1970

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 774, Country Files, Latin America, Chile, Vol. III. Secret; Sensitive. Sent for information A stamped notation on the memorandum indicates that the President saw it. Nachmanoff sent this memorandum to Kissinger on December 15 with the recommendation that he sign it and send it to the President. (Ibid.)

Vol. XXIX, Eastern Europe, 1969-1972

Poland

• 143. Memorandum From Helmut Sonnenfeldt of the National Security Council Staff to the Presidentʼs Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), Washington, December 18, 1970

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–114, WSAG Minutes, Originals, 1969 and 1970. Secret; Sensitive. Sent for information.

• 144. Minutes of the Washington Special Actions Group Meeting, Washington, December 18, 1970, 4:14-5:02 p.m.

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H-114, WSAG Minutes, Originals, 1969 and 1970. Secret; Nodis. The meeting took place in the White House Situation Room.

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

United Kingdom

• 335. Memorandum of Conversation, Camp David, Maryland, December 18, 1970

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 1023, Presidential/HAK MemCons. Secret; Eyes Only. An edited version of this memorandum of conversation was provided to the Department of State. It is ibid., RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL UK–US.

Vol. E-16, Documents on Chile, 1969-1973

Cool and Correct: The U.S. Response to the Allende Administration, November 5, 1970-December 31, 1972

• 41. Memorandum for the 40 Committee, Washington, December 18, 1970

  Summary: The paper attached to this memorandum, titled “Chilean Media Under a Marxist Regime,” outlined the various types of media in Chile and the corresponding political connections of each. Although there were a number of opposition media outlets in Chile after Allende took power, the CIA report was pessimistic that the Allende regime would continue to allow an independent media to flourish.
  
  Source: National Security Council, Nixon Intelligence Files, Subject Files, Chile, 1970. Secret; Eyes Only.

• 42. Memorandum Prepared in the Central Intelligence Agency, Washington, December 18, 1970

  Summary: This memorandum, titled “Chilean Facilitation of Subversive Activities in Latin America,” assessed the ability of Allende to aid insurgents or revolutionaries in South America.
  
  Source: National Security Council, Nixon Intelligence Files, Subject Files, Chile, 1970. Secret; Eyes Only. The memorandum was submitted under cover of a memorandum from Cushman to Kissinger containing Cushman’s stamped signature and Broe’s signature.

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.

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-5332 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-5332-, President Nixon departing for Camp David by helicopter from the South Lawn. 12/18/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, South Lawn. President Nixon, unidentified individuals.

Roll WHPO-5333 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-5333-03A-13A, President Nixon departing for Camp David by helicopter from the South Lawn. 12/18/1970, Washington, D.C. White House South Lawn. none.

Roll WHPO-5334 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-5334-, Mamie Eisenhower and Congressman Mayne with framed photographic portrait of Dwight D. Eisenhower. 12/18/1970, Washington, D.C. unknown. Mamie Eisenhower, Congressman Wiley Mayne, unidentified woman.

Roll WHPO-5335 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-5335-, Julie Eisenhower meeting with Young Republicans. 12/18/1970, Washington, D.C. White House interior. Julie Eisenhower, two unidentified Young Republicans.

Roll WHPO-5336 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-5336-, Julie Nixon Eisenhower visits a Teen Corp. office in Washington, D.C. 12/18/1970, Washington, D.C. 924 New Jersey Avenue NW. Julie Nixon Eisenhower, unidentified Teen Corp. staff and members, Barbara Walters, Shirley Brauer.
• Frame(s): WHPO-5336-15A, Julie Nixon Eisenhower signing an autograph at the Teen Corp. office in Washington, D.C. 12/18/1970, Washington, D.C. 924 New Jersey Avenue NW. Julie Nixon Eisenhower, unidentified teenagers, Teen Corp. staff.

Roll WHPO-5337 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-5337-02A-14A, President Nixon and Prime Minister Heath at Gettysburg. 12/18/1970, Pennsylvania Gettysburg. President Nixon, Edward Heath, Mamie Eisenhower, unidentified men.
• Frame(s): WHPO-5337-15A-21A, Onboard the Presidential helicopter. 12/18/1970, Maryland Helicopter #1 interior. unidentified passengers.
• Frame(s): WHPO-5337-22A-28A, President Nixon and Prime Minister Heath at Camp David. 12/18/1970, Maryland Camp David. President Nixon, Edward Heath, unidentified Secret Service men.

Roll WHPO-5338 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-5338-, President Nixon and Prime Minister Heath at Camp David. 12/18/1970, Maryland Camp David. President Nixon, Edward Heath, two unidentified men.
• Frame(s): WHPO-5338-22, President Nixon and British Prime Minister Heath walking outside on the grounds of Camp David. 12/18/1970, Maryland Camp David. President Nixon, Edward Heath, three unidentified men.
• Frame(s): WHPO-5338-33, President Nixon and British Prime Minister Heath, seen from behind, walking outside on the grounds of Camp David. Snow is visible at the edges of the road. 12/18/1970, Maryland Camp David. President Nixon, Edward Heath.

Roll WHPO-5339 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-5339-06A-15A, President Nixon and British Prime Minister Heath aboard the Presidential helicopter. 12/18/1970, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania Helicopter #1, Marine One, interior. President Nixon, Edward Heath, unidentified passengers.
• Frame(s): WHPO-5339-08A, President Nixon and British Prime Minister Heath, Secretary of State William Rogers, and other officials aboard the presidential helicopter enroute to Gettysburg. 12/18/1970, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania Helicopter #1, Marine One, interior. President Nixon, Edward Heath, Secretary of State William Rogers, Sir Alec Douglas-Home, probably Ambassador Walter H. Annenberg, Ron Ziegler, Emil Mosbacher, two other unidentified officials and passengers.
• Frame(s): WHPO-5339-16A-22A, President Nixon, British Prime Minister Edward Heath and officials visit Gettysburg. 12/18/1970, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania Gettysburg. President Nixon, Edward Heath, Mamie Eisenhower, unidentified men.
• Frame(s): WHPO-5339-17A, President Nixon, former First Lady Mamie Eisenhower, and British Prime Minister Edward Heath visit Gettysburg. 12/18/1970, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania Gettysburg. President Nixon, Mamie Eisenhower, Edward Heath.
• Frame(s): WHPO-5339-21A, British Prime Minister Edward Heath and President Nixon travel by Presidential helicopter to visit former First Lady Mamie Eisenhower at Gettysburg Farm. 12/18/1970, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania Gettysburg. President Nixon, Mamie Eisenhower, Edward Heath.

Roll WHPO-5340 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-5340-, President Nixon and British Prime Minister Heath (back of head visible only), Secretary of State William Rogers, and other officials aboard the presidential helicopter enroute to Gettysburg. 12/18/1970, Pennsylvania Helicopter, interior. President Nixon, Edward Heath, Secretary of State William Rogers, Sir Alec Douglas-Home, probably Ambassador Walter H. Annenberg, Ron Ziegler, Emil Mosbacher, four other unidentified officials and passengers.
• Frame(s): WHPO-5340-, President Nixon and British Prime Minister Edward Heath walking back to the White House foot from the Presidential helicopter. 12/18/1970, Washington, D.C. White House exterior. President Nixon, Edward Heath, unidentified man.
• Frame(s): WHPO-5340-25, President Nixon and British Prime Minister Heath (back of head visible only), Secretary of State William Rogers, and other officials aboard the presidential helicopter enroute to Gettysburg. 12/18/1970, Washington, D.C. White House exterior. President Nixon, Edward Heath, Secretary of State William Rogers, Sir Alec Douglas-Home, probably Ambassador Walter H. Annenberg, Ron Ziegler, Emil Mosbacher, unidentified officials and passengers.

Roll WHPO-5341 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-5341-, David Frost's Christmas Eve program at the White House. 12/18/1970, Washington, D.C. White House. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, unidentified Korean Girls Choir members, unidentified guests, Mamie Eisenhower.
• Frame(s): WHPO-5341-08A, President Nixon, Pat Nixon, and former First Lady Mamie Eisenhower at the David Frost's Christmas Eve program at the White House. 12/18/1970, Washington, D.C. White House. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Mamie Eisenhower, unidentified man.
• Frame(s): WHPO-5341-16A, President Nixon standing among the Korean National Ballet group "The Little Angels" during David Frost's Christmas Eve program at the White House. 12/18/1970, Washington, D.C. White House. President Nixon, children of the National Ballet of Korea.
• Frame(s): WHPO-5341-22A, President Nixon standing among and being embraced by a member of the Korean National Ballet group "The Little Angels" during David Frost's Christmas Eve program at the White House. 12/18/1970, Washington, D.C. White House. President Nixon, children of the National Ballet of Korea.

Roll WHPO-5342 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-5342-01A-09A, 11A-21A, President Nixon, Pat Nixon, David Frost, Mamie Eisenhower, and unidentified woman, probably David Frost's mother, in front of White House Christmas Tree during Frost's Christmas Eve program at the White House. Military Mens chorus and Santa Claus in some shots. 12/18/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, East Room. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, David Frost, unidentified military chorus members, unidentified guests, Mona Frost, Mamie Eisenhower, Santa.
• Frame(s): WHPO-5342-07A, President Nixon shaking hands with David Frost in front of the U.S. Army Men's Chorus during Frost's Christmas Eve Program at the White House, while jazz pianist Billy Taylor stands nearby. 12/18/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, East Room. President Nixon, U.S. Army Men's chorus, Billy Taylor, David Frost.
• Frame(s): WHPO-5342-10A, President Nixon, Pat Nixon, David Frost, Mamie Eisenhower, and Mona Frost (David Frost's mother), pose for a group portrait in front of the White House Christmas Tree during Frost's Christmas Eve program at the White House. 12/18/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, State Floor. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, David Frost, Mona Frost, Mamie Eisenhower.

Roll WHPO-5343 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-5343-03-30, A choir singing during David Frost's Christmas Eve program at White House. 12/18/1970, Washington, D.C. White House interior. David Frost, chorus members.

Roll WHPO-5344 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-5344-01-04, President Nixon with Nat George and Mrs. Nat George. 12/18/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Nat George, Mrs. Nat George.

Roll WHPO-5345 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-5345-02, Vice President Agnew shaking hands on the White House South Lawn with British Prime Minister Edward Heath while President Nixon and other officials stand nearby. 12/18/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, South Lawn. Spiro Agnew, Edward Heath, President Nixon, unidentified officials.
• Frame(s): WHPO-5345-02-25, Vice President Agnew meeting with Prime Minister Heath. 12/18/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, South Lawn. Spiro Agnew, British Prime Minister Edward Heath, unidentified officials.

Roll WHPO-5346 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-5346-07-09, Vice President Agnew meeting with Prime Minister Heath. 12/18/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, interior. Spiro Agnew, British Prime Minister Edward Heath, 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.

J - Entertainment at the White House

• WHCA-SR-J-140
  The David Frost Christmas Show [see P-701217, P-701218]. (12/18/1970)
  
  Runtime: 66:24:00
  
  Keywords: Performance, celebrities
  
  Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.

P - Formal Presidential Remarks

• WHCA-SR-P-701217
  Remarks by President Nixon prior to Evening at White House with David Frost [see J-140]. (12/18/1970)
  
  Runtime: 5:20
  
  Keywords: Performance, celebrities
  
  Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.

• WHCA-SR-P-701218
  [continuation of 701217] [see J-140]. (12/18/1970)
  
  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-4038
  "Today Show".
  CBS
  Runtime: 0:30
• WHCA-4039
  "The Mike Douglas Show". the Reverend Billy Graham, Arthur Penn, Chief Dan George, R.V. Cassill, Mandy Rice Davis.
  Daphne Productions and Roland & Jaffee Productions
  Runtime: 0:50
• WHCA-4041
  Weekly News Summary, Tape II.
  All networks
  Runtime: 1:00
  
  13. Scali: State Dept. on Polish rioting. Time Code Start: 18:52. Keywords: Poland, riots, demonstrations, rally, protests, protesters, demonstraters, demonstrators, violence, deaths, Soviet Union, Russia, USSR. Network: ABC.
  
  14. Smith/Geer: Mitchell news conference. Time Code Start: 19:53. Keywords: cabinet, advisors, law officials, media, press conferences, news conferences, interviews, television, TV. Network: ABC.
  
  15. Smith/Jarriel: British Prime Minister Heath's visit. Time Code Start: 22:15. Keywords: Presidents, Prime Ministers, Europe, England, United Kingdom, meetings. Network: ABC.
  
  16. Utley/Briggs: Former U.S. Army spies admit spying on Senators Adlai Stevenson and priests; Former Army Intelligence Agent John O'Brien say Resor lied; Quentin Burgess admits spying on Catholic priests and black American Olympic athletes for Army. Time Code Start: 23:40. Keywords: Armed Forces, military, espionage, spies, spying, operatives, investigations, Senators, Catholic priests, athletes, Olympians, athletes, sports, African Americans. Network: NBC.
  
  17. Brinkley: Attorney General John Mitchell news conference, defends FBI director J. Edgar Hoover. Time Code Start: 29:10. Keywords: cabinet, advisors, law officials, media, press conferences, news conferences, interviews, television, TV. Network: NBC.
  
  18. Messen: White House Conference on Children. Time Code Start: 30:57. Keywords: child welfare, poverty, aid, child care, conferences, meetings. Network: NBC.

• LIFE magazine of December 18, 1970

• New York Times of December 18, 1970

• AP Images photos from December 18, 1970
• Getty Images photos from December 18, 1970

The Vanderbilt Television News Archive is the world's most extensive and complete archive of television news. They have been recording, preserving and providing access to television news broadcasts of the national networks since August 5, 1968.

• December 1970 Broadcast Index

Wikipedia is a free encyclopedia that anyone can edit.

• December 18, 1970