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February 21, 1969

Introduction

This almanac page for Friday, February 21, 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: Thursday, February 20, 1969

Next Date: Saturday, February 22, 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.

    Appointments and Nominations

    • National Alliance of Businessmen (5 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 303, February 21, 1969)
      Remarks of the President and Donald M. Kendall Upon Announcement of Mr. Kendall's Appointment as Chairman of the Alliance.
    • Corporation for Public Broadcasting (5 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 304, February 21, 1969)
      Announcement of Intention To Nominate Albert L. Cole as Member of the Board of Directors.

    European Trip

    • Plans for the President's Trip to Europe (5 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 306, February 21, 1969)
      The President's Remarks to Members of the Press Planning To Accompany Him on the Trip. Delivered February 21, 1969. Released February 22, 1969.

    Statements 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.

    • Biography of Donald M. Kendall.

    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.

    • Ambassador Roberto Ramon Aleman of Panama and Ambassador Mario Gibson Barboza of Brazil presented their credentials to the President at the White House.
    • Ambassador Charles Lucet of France paid a courtesy call on the President at the White House.
    • Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau of Canada has accepted the President's invitation to pay an official visit to Washington on March 24 and 25.

    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.

    • KENNETH N. DAVIS, JR., of New York, to be an Assistant Secretary of Commerce.
    • ROBERT A. PODESTA, Of Illinois, to be an Assistant Secretary of Commerce.
    • JAMES T. LYNN, of Ohio, to be General Counsel of the Department of Commerce.
    • ANDREW E. GIBSON, of New Jersey, to be Maritime Administrator, Department of Commerce.
    • C. LANGHORNE WASHBURN, of the District of Columbia, to be the Director of the United States Travel Service.
    • G. FRED STEELE, JR., of North Carolina, to be Federal Cochairman of the Coastal Plains Regional Commission.
    • W. DONALD BREWER, of Colorado, to be Federal Cochairman of the Four Corners Regional Commission.
    • ALBERT L. COLE, of Connecticut, to be a member of the Board of Directors of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting for the remainder of the term expiring March 26, 1974, vice Milton S. Eisenhower, resigned.
    • EUGENE M. BEcKER, of New York, to be an Assistant Secretary of the Army (correction of legal residence shown on February 19).

  • 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

  • Selective document listing

    President's Office Files

    The President's Office Files consists of materials drawn together by the Special Files Unit from several administrative subdivisions within the White House Office. It is the handwriting and sensitive papers sent to the Staff Secretary that now comprise much of the President's Office Files. Visit the finding aid to learn more.

    • President's Meetings File, Box 73, Memoranda for the President--Beginning February 16, 1969
      • Memo; Daniel P. Moynihan to Staff Secretary re: Meeting with Don Kendall. February 21, 1969. 2 pgs.

  • Selective document listing

    White House Press Office

    The White House Press Office during the Presidency of Richard Nixon was responsible for daily communication with the White House press corps. Ronald L. Ziegler was the Press Secretary to the President for Nixon's entire term in office from January 1969 to August 1974 and Gerald Warren served as the Deputy Press Secretary. The office held daily briefings for the press and produced the White House’s press releases. Visit the finding aid to learn more.

    • White House Press Conferences, Box 56
      • News Conference #59 at the White House with Jerry Warren, February 21, 1969, 11:05 A.M. EST. 3 pgs.
      • News Conference #60 at the White House with Ron Ziegler, February 21, 1969, 2:40 P.M. EST. 3 pgs.
      • News Conference #61 at the White House with Ron Ziegler, February 21, 1969, 5:11 P.M. EST. 1 pg.

  • 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

    Trade and Commerce, 1969-1972

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

    Initial Contacts, January-April 22, 1969

    Vol. E-5, Part 1, Documents on Sub-Saharan Africa, 1969-1972

    Nigerian Civil War

    • 44. Memorandum From the Presidentʼs Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon, Washington, February 21, 1969

      As recommended by Kissinger, the President authorized a press statement announcing the appointment of C. Clyde Ferguson, Jr., as the Biafran Relief Coordinator.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 741, Country Files, Africa, Nigeria, Vol. I. No classification marking. The President initialed the “Approve” option. Tab A, a press release, and Tab B, Fergusonʼs biographic information, were attached but not published.

    • 45. Memorandum From the Presidentʼs Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon, Washington, February 21, 1969

      Kissinger recommended that Nixon sign an attached letter to Major General Gowon, Chairman of the Supreme Military Council of Nigeria, which stressed U.S. humanitarian interest in Nigeria and U.S. desire to avoid political involvement as much as possible. The letter also informed Gowon that a Relief Coordinator was being appointed to emphasize U.S. humanitarian concern. Tab B, a letter from Gowon to Nixon, is published as the attachment to Document 41.

      Source: Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Kissinger Papers, Box 1, HAK Memoranda to the President, February 1969. Secret. Sent for action. The memorandum is an unsigned copy. Morris drafted both the memorandum and the attached letter to Gowon. The latter is a copy marked with an indication that the President signed the original.

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

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

    • 10. National Security Study Memorandum 26 , Washington, February 21, 1969

      President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs Kissinger directed that a study be prepared on military supply policy in South Asia.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 365, Subject Files, National Security Study Memoranda, Nos. 1–42. Secret; Exdis. Copies were sent to the Secretaries of the Treasury and Agriculture, and to the Chairman of the JCS.

    • 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.

    • 9:55 AM, Mr. Ellsworth; Mr. Kissinger
    • 12:00 PM, Elliot Richardson; Mr. Kissinger
    • 12:25 PM, Mr. McGeorge Bundy; Mr. Kissinger
    • 3:50 PM, Secretary Rogers; Mr. Kissinger
    • 7:00 PM, The President; Mr. Kissinger

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-0334 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-0334-03A-04A, 09A-10A, President Nixon with Chief of Protocol Emil Mosbacher. 2/21/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Fish Room. President Nixon, Emil Mosbacher.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-0334-05A-06A, President Nixon and Chief of Protocol Emil Mosbacher accepting the credentials of Panamanian Ambassador Dr. Roberto R. Alemon. 2/21/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Fish Room. President Nixon, Ambassador Roberto R. Alemon.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-0334-07A-08A, Unidentified White House official. 2/21/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Fish Room.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-0334-11A-12A, President Nixon and Chief of Protocol Emil Mosbacher accepting the credentials of Brazilian Ambassador Mario G. Barboza. 2/21/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Fish Room. President Nixon, Ambassador. Mario G. Barboza.

    Roll WHPO-0335 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-0335-03A, President Nixon accepting the credentials of Panamanian Ambassador Roberto R. Alemon, Emil Mosbacher standing nearby. 2/21/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Fish Room. President Nixon, Emil Mosbacher, Ambassador Roberto R. Alemon.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-0335-04A, 05A-06A, 10A, President Nixon accepting the credentials of Panamanian Ambassador Roberto R. Alemon. 2/21/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Fish Room. President Nixon, Ambassador Roberto R. Alemon.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-0335-07A-08A, 09A, 11A-12A, President Nixon accepting the credentials of Panamanian Ambassador Roberto R. Alemon, Ambassadorial escort and Acting Assistant Secretary of State Viron P. Vaky and Emil Mosbacher standing nearby. 2/21/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Fish Room. President Nixon, Ambassador Roberto R. Alemon, Emil Mosbacher, Viron Peter Vaky.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-0335-13A-22A, President Nixon accepting the credentials of Brazilian Ambassador Mario G. Barboza, Ambassadorial escort and Acting Assistant Secretary of State Viron P. Vaky and Emil Mosbacher standing nearby. 2/21/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Fish Room. President Nixon, Emil Mosbacher, Ambassador Mario G. Barboza, Viron Peter Vaky.

    Roll WHPO-0336 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-0336-00A, Two unidentified reporters from the White House Press Corps in the audience talking, during a press briefing. 2/21/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. Unidentified reporters from the White House Press Corps.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-0336-01A-02A, Ron Ziegler speaking at a press briefing. 2/21/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. Ronald Ziegler.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-0336-03A-04A, President Nixon speaking at a press briefing. 2/21/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-0336-05A-18A, President Nixon with Donald Kendall during a press briefing. 2/21/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Donald Kendall.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-0336-19A-20A, Donald Kendall speaking at a press briefing. 2/21/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. Donald Kendall.

    Roll WHPO-0337 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-0337-02A-14A, President Nixon meeting with French Ambassador Charles Lucet. 2/21/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Charles Lucet.

    Roll WHPO-0338 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-0338-02-03, 21-26, Ron Ziegler speaking at a press briefing. 2/21/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Fish Room. President Nixon, Donald Kendall, Ziegler, White House Press Corps.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-0338-04-09, President Nixon announcing the appointment of Donald Kendall as the Chairman of the National Alliance of Businessmen, at a press briefing. Kendall and Ron Ziegler are standing nearby. 2/21/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Fish Room. President Nixon, Donald Kendall, Ziegler, White House Press Corps.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-0338-10-15, Ron Ziegler speaking to the audience of reporters and photographers, at a press briefing. President Nixon and newly appointed Donald Kendall, Chairman of the National Alliance of Businessmen, standing nearby. 2/21/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Fish Room. President Nixon, Donald Kendall, Ziegler, White House Press Corps.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-0338-16-20, Donald Kendall, Chairman of the National Alliance of Businessmen, speaking at a press briefing, President Nixon stands nearby. 2/21/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Fish Room. President Nixon, Donald Kendall, Ziegler, White House Press Corps.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-0338-27-28, Ron Ziegler speaking with two unidentified officials or White House Press corps reporters, during a press briefing. 2/21/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Fish Room. President Nixon, Donald Kendall, Ziegler, White House Press Corps.

    Roll WHPO-0339 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-0339-03A-05A, President Nixon announcing the appointment of Donald Kendall as the Chairman of the National Alliance of Businessmen, at a press briefing. Kendall and Ron Ziegler are standing nearby. 2/21/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Fish Room. President Nixon, Donald Kendall, Ronald Ziegler.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-0339-06A-09A, Donald Kendall, Chairman of the National Alliance of Businessmen, speaking at a press briefing. President Nixon and Ron Ziegler are standing nearby. 2/21/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Fish Room. President Nixon, Donald Kendall, Ziegler, unidentified White House Press Corps reporters.

    Roll WHPO-0340 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-0340-04-14, Tricia Nixon with a bridesmaid or bridal wedding bouquet. 2/21/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, unidentified room. Tricia Nixon.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-0340-08, President Nixon seated, working outside in the rose garden. 2/21/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Rose Garden. President Nixon.

    Roll WHPO-0341 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-0341-01-06, White House photographer and WHPO Photo Office Director Oliver OLLIE Atkins holding his Red Cross award plaque. 2/21/1969, Washington, D.C. unknown. Oliver OLLIE Atkins.

    Roll WHPO-0342 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-0342-01-08, President Nixon attends a White House Press Corps reception, along with Joseph Sisco. 2/21/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, State Dining Room. President Nixon, Joseph Sisco, White House Press Corps reporters or editors.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-0342-09-10, 12-19, Presidential aides and assistants with various staff members in a European trip preparation meeting. 2/21/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, General Office room. unidentified White House staff members, aides and assistants members.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-0342-11, White House photographer and WHPO Photo Office Director Oliver OLLIE Atkins during a staff member European trip preparation meeting. 2/21/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, General Office room. Oliver OLLIE Atkins.

    Roll WHPO-0343 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-0343-02-05, Ron Ziegler introducing President Nixon to a large audience of reporters, for the President's press briefing the day before leaving on his European trip. 2/21/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, East Room. President Nixon, White House Press Corps.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-0343-06-14, President Nixon speaking to a large audience of reporters, during the President's press briefing the day before leaving on his European trip. 2/21/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, East Room. President Nixon, White House Press Corps.

    Roll WHPO-0491 Photographer: unknown | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-0491-01, Formal close-up portrait of Vice President Agnew. 2/21/1969, unknown unknown studio. Spiro Agnew.

    Roll WHPO-0492 Photographer: unknown | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-0492-01, Formal standing portrait of Vice President Spiro Agnew. 2/21/1969, unknown unknown. Spiro Agnew.

  • 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-008
      Remarks by Ronald Ziegler, Henry Kissinger, and Paul Volcker to the press regarding the president's European trip. (2/21/1969, Indian Treaty Room, Exevutive Office Buidling)

      Runtime: 45:00:00

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

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

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

    I - Various Administration Events

    • WHCA-SR-I-004
      Conference telephone call between Brussels, London, Bonn, Berlin, Rome, Paris, and Washington, with Ronald Ziegler, John D. Ehrlichman, Elborn, Nidecker, Ron Walker, and Colonel James D. Hughes. (2/21/1969, Studio W-15)

      Runtime: 5:45:00

      Production credits: Audio feed supplied by "WHCA/SWBD"; Recorded by WFM (initials of WHCA engineer)

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

    P - Formal Presidential Remarks

    • WHCA-SR-P-690223
      Remarks by President Nixon Announcing the Appointment of Donald M. Kendall as Chairman of the National Alliance of Businessmen,. (2/21/1969, Fish Room, White House)

      Runtime: 2:25

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

Context (External Sources)