1. Home
  2. Research
  3. Almanac

December 30, 1971

Introduction

This almanac page for Thursday, December 30, 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: Wednesday, December 29, 1971

Next Date: Friday, December 31, 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 Key Biscayne, Florida

  • 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.

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. XI, South Asia Crisis, 1971

    South Asia Crisis, 1971

    • 335. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Pakistan, Washington, December 30, 1971, 1927Z

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 15–1 PAK. Confidential. Drafted on December 27 by Laingen; cleared by Schneider and Davies, in substance by Orson Trueworthy (S/R), in IO by Deputy Assistant Secretary George A. Von Peterfly and Director of the Office of United Nations Political Affairs John A. Armitage, in AID by Williams and MacDonald, and at the White House by Saunders; paragraph 5 was cleared with Agriculture and OMB; and approved by Acting Secretary Johnson. Repeated to New Delhi, Tehran, London, Calcutta, Dacca, and USUN.

    Vol. XVII, China, 1969-1972

    China, October 1971-February 1972

    • 180. Memorandum of Conversation, Key Biscayne, Florida, December 30, 1971, 10:30 a.m.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 523, Country Files, Far East, China, Vol. X. Secret; Sensitive; Eyes Only. The meeting was held at Kissinger’s villa at the Key Biscayne Hotel. A short attached note reads: “Coleman: This is ready to go to file. JHH doesn’t think it’s necessary to have HAK read it through. Eileen.”

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

    Proximity Talks and the Backchannel: Separate Department of State and White House Negotiating Tricks

    Vol. XXIX, Eastern Europe, 1969-1972

    Romania

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

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

    • 196. Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs (Nutter) to Secretary of Defense Laird, Washington, December 30, 1971

      Nutter’s memorandum to Laird assessed, from the perspective of the Department of Defense, U.S.-South Asia policy in the wake of the crisis on the subcontinent.

      Source: Washington National Records Center, OSD Files: FRC 76–0197, Box 74, Pakistan 092 (Aug–Dec) 1971. Secret; Sensitive.

    • 197. Telegram 232870 From the Department of State to the Mission to the United Nations, Washington, December 30, 1971, 0016Z

      The Department’s initial decision was that U.S. humanitarian assistance to the successor state in East Pakistan would be channeled through the United Nations

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, SOC 10 BANGLADESH. Secret; Priority. Drafted by Sisco and C. Herbert Rees, Director of the Office of South Asian Affairs (AID/NESA) on December 23; cleared in AID/NESA by Williams and in the White House by Saunders; and approved by Rogers. Repeated to Islamabad, New Delhi, Dacca, and Calcutta.

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

    • 377. Telegram 5866 From the Consulate General in Dacca to the Department of State, Dacca, December 30, 1971, 1115Z

      In light of what he and his staff viewed as the “inevitable recognition of Bangladesh,” Consul General Spivack urged that he be authorized to enter into informal contacts with Bangladesh officials for discussion of matters relating to the functioning of the Consulate General. He also urged U.S. officials elsewhere to convey to Bangladesh representatives that the United States was not committed to the concept of a united Pakistan and was flexible on the matter of recognition.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL BANGLA DESH-US. Secret; Priority; Limdis. Repeated to Islamabad, Calcutta, London, Manila, Moscow, and USUN.

  • 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-8148 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-8148-, Herb Stein group. 12/30/1971, Washington, D.C. unknown. Herb Klein, unidentified males.

  • 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-485
      Press briefing by Paul McCracken and Frank Shumway. (12/30/1971, Room 2008, New Executive Office Building)

      Runtime: 39:00:00

      Keywords: Press conferences, news conferences, interviews, media

      Production credits: Audio feed supplied by WHCA; Recorded by JAD (initials of 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-4922
      "Thirty Minutes". Julie Nixon Eisenhower.
      Undetermined
      Runtime: 00:29:46
    • WHCA-4923
      "The Dick Cavett Show".
      Eastern Educational Network
      Runtime: 1:30
    • WHCA-4924
      Correspondents Report, Part II. U.S. Senator Hubert H. Humphrey (D-MN).
      Undetermined
      Runtime: 01:03:29
    • WHCA-4925
      "Martin Agronsky: Evening Edition".
      CBS
      Runtime: 00:30:56
    • WHCA-4927
      Weekly News Summary 24-30 December 1971, Tape II.
      ALL NETWORKS
      Runtime: 1:30

      31. Smith/Zimmerman: Vietnam air raids almost over. Time Code Start: 77:40. Keywords: Vietnam War. Network: ABC.

      32. Reasoner/Snell: Ellsberg re-indicted by federal grand jury in Pentagon Papers case, Anthony Russo and former South Vietnam Ambassador also charged. Time Code Start: 80:55. Keywords: Armed Forces, military, classified documents, secrets, Watergate, courts, trials, Vietnam War, Indochina War, bombings, indictments, charges. Network: ABC.

      33. Reasoner: Commentary on free press and the United Nations (U.N.). Time Code Start: 83:25. Keywords: organization of nations, intergovernmental alliance. Network: ABC.

      34. Chancellor/Lewis: Air war ends in Vietnam. Time Code Start: 85:27. Keywords: Vietnam War, aircraft, weapons, withdrawals. Network: NBC.

      35. Kiker: Episcopalian church against war and bombing. Time Code Start: 90:17. Keywords: Vietnam War, bombings, protests, religion, organizations, churches. Network: NBC.

      36. Chancellor: Ellsberg and Anthony J. Russo re-indicted by federal grand jury for Pentagon Papers publication. Time Code Start: 93:55. Keywords: Armed Forces, military, classified documents, secrets, Watergate, courts, trials, Vietnam War, Indochina War, bombings, indictments, charges. Network: NBC.

      37. Chancellor/Levine: Paul McCracken leaves, Commentary on economy. Time Code Start: 94:20. Keywords: cabinet, advisors, resignations, economy, economics, debt, budgets, finances, recession, inflation, money. Network: NBC.
    • WHCA-4928
      Weekly News Summary 24-30 December 1971, Tape III.
      ALL NETWORKS
      Runtime: 0:12

      1. Collingwood/Schieffer: Bombing stopped. Time Code Start: 00:00. Keywords: Vietnam War, bombings. Network: CBS.

      2. Collingwood/Drinkwater: Federal grand jury issues new more serious indictments to Rand Corp. employees Ellsberg and Anthony Russo. Time Code Start: 02:15. Keywords: Armed Forces, military, classified documents, secrets, Watergate, courts, trials, Vietnam War, Indochina War, bombings, indictments, charges. Network: CBS.

      3. Collingwood/Kalb: U.S. resumes sale of jets to Israel. Time Code Start: 04:57. Keywords: Middle East, Mideast, war, Israeli, aircraft, aid, sales. Network: CBS.

      4. Collingwood/Schorr: Paul McCracken leaves Council of Economic Advisors (CEA). Time Code Start: 06:24. Keywords: C.E.A., economy, economics, budgets, finances, recession, inflation, money, wages, costs, unemployment, prices, reports. Network: CBS.

Context (External Sources)