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February 20, 1970

Introduction

This almanac page for Friday, February 20, 1970, 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: Thursday, February 19, 1970

Next Date: Saturday, February 21, 1970

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.

    Appointments and Nominations

    Statements by the President

    • Oil Import Policy (6 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 247, February 20, 1970)
      Statement by the President Upon Receiving the Report of the Cabinet Task Force on Oil Import Control.
    • National Brotherhood Week, 1970 (6 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 249, February 20, 1970)
      Statement by the President.

    Acts Approved by 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.

    • Summary guide to task force report on oil Import control.
    • News briefing by Peter M. Flanigan, Assistant to the President, and Roland Homet, Jr., Chief Counsel, Cabinet Task Force on Oil Import Control.

    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.

    • Ambassadors U San Maung of Burma, Dr. Pedro Eduardo Real of Argentina, Mozart Gurgel Valente of Brazil, Jaime Arguelles of Spain, and Marcel Cadieux of Canada presented their credentials to the President in the Blue Room at the White House.
    • The President and the First Lady hosted a dinner for members of the Board of Directors of the National Center for Voluntary Action.
    • The Board of Directors of the National Catholic Educational Association met with the President at the White House.

    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.

    • EDWARD B. MILLER, of Illinois, to be a Member of the National Labor Relations Board for the term of 5 years expiring December 16, 1974, vice Sam Zagoria, term expired.
    • FRANK WILLE, of New York, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation for a term of 6 years, vice Kenneth A. Randall.
    • COLSTON A. LEWIS, of Virginia, to be a Member of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for the remainder of the term expiring July 1, 1972, vice Clifford L. Alexander, Jr., resigned.

  • 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.

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

    Commodities and Strategic Materials, 1969-1972

    Vol. XVII, China, 1969-1972

    China, 1970

    • 68. Telegram From the Embassy in Poland to the Department of State, Warsaw, February 20, 1970, 1645Z

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL CHICOM–US. Secret; Immediate; Nodis. A full record of the meeting is in Airgram A–84 from Warsaw, February 20. (Ibid.) See Foreign Relations, 1969–1976, vol. E–13, Document 4. The Chinese suggested the February 20 date during a February 2 visit to the Embassy in Warsaw. (Telegram 215 from Warsaw, February 2; National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 700, Country Files, Europe, Poland Vol. II Warsaw Talks 2/1/70–6/30/70)

    Vol. XX, Southeast Asia, 1969-1972

    Philippines

    • 211. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon, Washington, February 20, 1970

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Subject Files, Box 338, HAK/Richardson Meetings, January 1970–March 1970. Secret. Sent for action. The President wrote on the first page: “I hereby order an immediate 1/3 cut in military personnel in Philippines (Clark Field).” A notation in Butterfield’s handwriting reads: “Henry—the President approved this action recommendation on this condition:” with an arrow drawn to Nixon’s aforementioned note.

    Vol. XXIV, Middle East Region and Arabian Peninsula, 1969-1972; Jordan, September 1970

    Persian Gulf States

    Vol. XXXIV, National Security Policy, 1969-1972

    Chemical and Biological Warfare, Safeguard Phase II, the Draft

    • 128. National Security Decision Memorandum 44, Washington, February 20, 1970

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 363, Subject Files, NSDMs, Nos. 1–50. Secret. A copy was sent to Wheeler.

    Vol. XL, Germany and Berlin, 1969-1972

    Germany and Berlin, 1969-1972

    • 56. Message From the German State Secretary for Foreign, Defense, and German Policy (Bahr) to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) , Bonn, February 20, 1970

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Kissinger Office Files, Box 60, Country Files, Europe, Egon Bahr, Berlin File [3 of 3]. Top Secret; Eyes Only. The message, in German, was sent by backchannel and forwarded to Haig on February 21. Kissinger wrote the following instructions: “Sonnenfeldt: Acknowledge—These Bahr cables should always be acknowledged immediately.” (Ibid.) Sonnenfeldt, however, explained that since Bahr had gone back to Moscow, the response could wait until he returned to Bonn in 2 weeks. Kissinger approved this suggestion on March 3. (Memorandum from Sonnenfeldt to Kissinger, undated; ibid.) This message, except the original English postscript, was translated from German by the editor. For the German text, see Akten zur Auswärtigen Politik der Bundesrepublik Deutschland, 1970, Vol. 1, pp. 299–300.

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

    Spain

    • 291. National Security Decision Memorandum 43 , Washington, February 20, 1970

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–214, National Security Decision Memoranda, NSDM 43. Secret; Nodis. Copies were sent to the Director of Central Intelligence and the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff.

    Vol. E-2, Documents on Arms Control and Nonproliferation, 1969-1972

    Chemical and Biological Warfare; Geneva Protocol; Biological Weapons Convention

    • 190. National Security Decision Memorandum 44 , Washington, February 20, 1970

      The NSDM listed the President’s decisions, in accordance with Option III of NSSM 85, on U.S. policy on toxins.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 363, Subject Files, NSDMs (1–50). Secret. A copy was sent to Wheeler

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

    India and Pakistan: Pre-Crisis, January 1969-February 1971

    • 48. Memorandum From Harold Saunders of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) , Washington, February 20, 1970

      Saunders summarized the contending arguments advanced with regard to military supply policy for South Asia.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 624, Country Files, Middle East, Pakistan, Vol. II, Dec 69–Sept 70. Secret. Sent for information. Brackets are in the original. The attached cable is telegram 1333 from Rawalpindi, February 18. (Ibid.) It can also be found ibid., RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, DEF 12–5 PAK. Ambassador Keating sent a telegram from New Delhi on February 20 making the anticipated arguments against revising the existing arms policy for the subcontinent. (Telegram 1961 from New Delhi; ibid.) Kissinger’s handwritten notation on the memorandum reads: “We must move this.” He added: “Let me see my memo.” The memorandum is marked in an unknown hand to indicate that Saunders had the action responsibility to respond to Kissinger’s instructions. The memorandum to which Kissinger referred was sent to the President on March 16 and is printed as Document 54.

    Vol. E-10, Documents on American Republics, 1969-1972

    Paraguay

    • 567. Telegram 280 From the Embassy in Paraguay to the Department of State, February 20, 1970.

      The Embassy reported complaints from Foreign Minister Sapena that a leftward-moving Bolivia was receiving significantly more U.S. assistance than Paraguay, which was traditionally friendly towards the United States. Sapena added that Paraguay was devoting nearly all its resources to economic development rather than arms purchases.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 13–1 BOL. Confidential. Repeated to USCINCSO for POLAD, La Paz, and Santiago.

  • 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-2997 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2997-00A-04A, President Nixon seated at his Oval Office desk during a meeting with H.R. Haldeman and Pat Nixon's staff director Constance Stewart. 2/20/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, H.R. Haldeman, Constance (Connie) Stewart.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2997-03, President Nixon seated at his Oval Office desk during a meeting with H.R. Haldeman and Pat Nixon's staff director Constance Stewart. 2/20/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, H.R. Haldeman, Constance (Connie) Stewart.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2997-06A-10A, President Nixon meeting with Bishop Raymond Gallagher, Chairman of the National Catholic Education Association and other members of the National Catholic Education Association. 2/20/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Bishop Raymond Gallagher, Jane Wolford, Father John P. Carter, Monsignor Edward Hughes, Norman Francis, Father John Meyers, Father C. Albert Koob, Monsignor Raymond Lucker.

    Roll WHPO-2998 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2998-01-07, Football paste-up of President Nixon's cabinet. 2/20/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, South Lawn.

    Roll WHPO-2999 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2999-01-03, President Nixon meeting in the Oval Office with the staff of Presidential speech writers including Pat Buchanan, Raymond Price, James Keogh, Lee Huebner, William Gavin, and William Safire. 2/20/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, staff members, speech writers group. Left to right: Ray Price, Lee Huebner, Pat Buchanan, H.R. Haldeman, William Gavin, James Keogh, and Wiliam Safire.

    Roll WHPO-3000 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-3000-02-08, President Nixon standing in the Oval Office with Executive Assistant Bill Hopkins holding a Commission certificate. 2/20/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, William J. Hopkins.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-3000-11-14, President Nixon receiving credentials from the Ambassador of Burma, U San Maung. 2/20/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Red Room. President Nixon, U San Maung.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-3000-16-17, President Nixon receiving credentials from Argentina's Ambassador Pedro Eduardo Real. 2/20/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Red Room. President Nixon, Pedro Eduardo Real.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-3000-19-21, President Nixon receiving credentials from Brazil's Ambassador Mazart Valente. 2/20/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Red Room. President Nixon, Mazart Valente.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-3000-23-26, President Nixon receiving credentials from Spain's Ambassador Jaime Arguelles. 2/20/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Red Room. President Nixon, Jaime Arguelles.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-3000-28-31, President Nixon receiving credentials from Canada's Ambassador Marcel Cadieux. 2/20/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Red Room. President Nixon, Marcel Cadieux.

    Roll WHPO-3001 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-3001-04A-25A, President Nixon and Pat Nixon hosting dinner in honor of the Board of Directors of the National Center for Voluntary Action. 2/20/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, State Dining Room. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, unidentitied others.

  • 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-132
      Press briefing by Ronald Ziegler and Peter Flanigan concerning oil imports. (2/20/1970, Roosevelt Room, White House)

      Runtime: 44:00:00

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

      Production credits: Audio feed supplied by WHCA; Recorded by RRS (Bob Schroder, WHCA engineer)

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

    P - Formal Presidential Remarks

    • WHCA-SR-P-700219
      Remarks by President Nixon to National Center for Voluntary Action with Dr. Allen, Mr. Stone, Max Fisher. (2/20/1970)

      Runtime: 25:55:00

      Keywords: volunteer programs, volunteerism, Cabinet Committee on Voluntary Action

      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-3638
      Weekly News Summary.
      All networks
      Runtime: 0:30

      9. Report on veto threat on Health, Education and Welfare (HEW) bill. Time Code Start: 19:11. Keywords: bills, laws, Family Assistance Programs, government agencies, financial aid, counseling, benefits, Presidents, vetoes. Network: ABC.

      10. Howard K. Smith Interviews Vice President Agnew. Time Code Start: 20:51. Keywords: Vice Presidents, television, shows, celebrities, interviews. Network: ABC.

Context (External Sources)