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February 3, 1971

Introduction

This almanac page for Wednesday, February 3, 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: Tuesday, February 2, 1971

Next Date: Thursday, February 4, 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 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.

    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.

  • 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. II, Organization and Management of U.S. Foreign Policy, 1969-1972

    The Intelligence Community and the White House

    Vol. V, United Nations, 1969-1972

    High-Level Meetings; Miscellaneous Issues

    Vol. VII, Vietnam, July 1970-January 1972

    Planning and Decisions for Operations in Cambodia and Laos, October 9, 1970-February 7, 1971

    • 118. Minutes of a Meeting of the Senior Washington Special Actions Group, Washington, February 3, 1971, 2:15 p.m.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–115, WSAG Meetings Minutes, Originals, 1971. Top Secret; Sensitive. The meeting took place in the Situation Room of the White House. According to a chronology attached to a memorandum from Howe to Haig, February 9, the meeting ended at 4:15 p.m. (Ibid., NSC Files, Box 84, Vietnam Subject Files, Special Operations File, Vol. IV) All brackets are in the original with the exception of those indicating omitted material.

    • 119. Memorandum for the 40 Committee, Washington, February 3, 1971

      Source: Department of State, INR/IL Historical Files, 40 Committee Meetings. Secret; Eyes Only. Coerr forwarded the memorandum to Johnson on February 4, and recommended that he ask at the 40 Committee meeting that day about the risks of press or Congressional detection of the covert assistance, the chances for South Vietnamese legislators if they were not given covert support, and the implications if the legislators whom the United States supported lost their elections. He also recommended that Johnson propose making approval contingent on developments in the next few weeks. On the back of the memorandum is the following undated note: “Karamessines now says: 1. CIA favors and will support in 40. 2. It is a relatively modest plan. 3. CIA believes it can maintain security.” In a February 3 memorandum to Kissinger, Chapin recommended that he ask for Helms’ and Johnson’s assessment of the prospects for the election and Minh’s chances, Helms’ and Packard’s view on how a GVN leadership change would affect current U.S. programs, Helms’ ideas on avoiding detection, everyone’s assessment of telegram 307 (Document 100), and the relative effectiveness of overt and covert actions. (National Security Council, Nixon Intelligence Files, Subject Files, Vietnam, 14 Jan 1971–22 Dec 1971)

    Vol. XIX, Part 1, Korea, 1969-1972

    U.S. Troop Reductions and Related Defense Issues, November 1969-February 1971

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

    • 202. Paper Prepared by the National Security Council Staff, Washington, February 3, 1971

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–051, Senior Review Group Meetings, SRG Meeting—Middle East 2–8–71. Secret; Nodis. Drafted by Saunders. All brackets are in the original.

    Vol. XXXIV, National Security Policy, 1969-1972

    The Defense Budget and Safeguard Phase III

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

    United Kingdom

    Vol. E-1, Documents on Global Issues, 1969-1972

    International Cooperation in Space, 1969-1972

    • 253. Telegram 19915 From the Department of State to the Embassy in Belgium, Washington, February 3, 1971, 0246Z

      The telegram contains a copy of a letter from Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Johnson to ESC Chairman Lefevre asking the Europeans to prepare responses to specific U.S. questions about the Europeans proposed involvement in the post-Apollo program.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970-73, SP 10 US. Immediate; Limited Official Use. Drafted by Baker and Webber on February 3; cleared by S, Intelsat, EUR, E, OTP, L, in substance by Behr and EUR/FBX, and in information by Frutkin; and approved by U. Alexis Johnson.

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

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

    • 111. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to Secretary of State Rogers, Washington, February 3, 1971

      Kissinger informed Rogers that President Nixon had approved the recommendation that the one-time exception military arms sale to Pakistan be conducted on a cash basis. He also instructed that Pakistan’s credit requirements for non-lethal arms sales be sympathetically considered.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 624, Country Files, Middle East, Pakistan, Vol. III, 1 Oct 70–28 Feb 71. Secret; Exdis. Farland was informed of the President’s decisions on February 5 and instructed to convey them to President Yahya. (Telegram 20428 to Islamabad; ibid., RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, DEF 12–5 PAK)

  • 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-5587 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-5587-, President Nixon standing with Dr. John Lungren. 2/3/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, John Lungren.

    Roll WHPO-5588 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-5588-, President Nixon shaking hands with Nevada Attorney General Robert List. 2/3/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Robert List.

    Roll WHPO-5589 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-5589-, Vice President Agnew addressing Hearst Youth Conference attendees. 2/3/1971, Washington, D.C. New Senate Office Building. Agnew, unidentified attendees.

    Roll WHPO-5590 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-5590-, A model boat gifted to the president by another head of state. 2/3/1971, Washington, D.C. unknown.

    Roll WHPO-5591 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-5591-, Pat Nixon at a reception for Pakistan Relief. 2/3/1971, Washington, D.C. State Dining Room, Hallway, Blue Room, White House. Pat Nixon, unidentified officials and guests.

  • 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.

    C - First Lady

    • WHCA-SR-C-059
      Remarks by Pat Nixon to Pakistan Relief Commission in the State Dining Room with Mr. Murphy, Elinor Sullivan and the Pakistani Ambassador. (2/3/1971, State Dining Room)

      Runtime: 0:22:07

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

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

    G - Cabinet Officer Briefings

    • WHCA-SR-G-076
      Press briefing by Secretary of Labor James D. Hodgson. (2/3/1971, Press Center)

      Runtime: 15:00

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

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

    H - White House Staff Member Recordings

    • WHCA-SR-H-331
      Press briefing by Ronald Ziegler. (2/3/1971, Press Center, White House)

      Runtime: 20:00

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

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

      Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.
    • WHCA-SR-H-332
      Press briefing by Ronald Ziegler. (2/3/1971, Press Center, White House)

      Runtime: 17:00

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

      Production credits: Audio feed supplied by WHCA; Recorded by RSM (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-4146
      "Today" Show excerpt.

      Runtime: 00:23:29
    • WHCA-4154
      Weekly News Summary, Tape II.
      ALL NETWORKS
      Runtime: 1:00

      1. Reasoner/Giggins: Cambodia. Time Code Start: 00:00. Keywords: Cambodia, Vietnam War. Network: ABC.

      2. Smith/Jarriel: Laos (Klein). Time Code Start: 03:20. Keywords: Laos, Vietnam War. Network: ABC.

      3. Smith: Commentary on Laotians. Time Code Start: 06:27. Keywords: Laos, Vietnam War. Network: ABC.

      4. Chancellor/Goralski/KaplowithDuke/Valeriani: Laos. Time Code Start: 08:20. Keywords: Laos, Vietnam War. Network: NBC.

      5. Cronkite/Rather/Kalb: Laos and Cambodia. Time Code Start: 13:45. Keywords: Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam War. Network: CBS.
    • WHCA-4211
      Excerpts From the "NBC Nightly News" Indochina War Coverage, Tape I (Weekly News Summary).
      NBC

      4. Chancellor: News embargo on, rumors fly. Time Code Start: 05:05. Keywords: media, newspapers, magazines, the press, television, TV , news programs, embargoes. Network: NBC.

      5. Goralsky: Situation at Pentagon, on Laos invasion. Time Code Start: 05:56. Keywords: Laos, Vietnam War, United States Department of Defense headquarters, Armed Forces,. Network: NBC.

      6. Kaplow: No work from White House on invasion; reactions to news blackout [?]. Time Code Start: 07:00. Keywords: media, newspapers, magazines, the press, publications, television, TV. Network: NBC.

      7. Duke: Call from Congress for information. Time Code Start: 07:50. Keywords: House of Representatives, requests. Network: NBC.

      8. Valariani: State Department will not comment during news embargo. Time Code Start: 08:54. Keywords: media, newspapers, magazines, the press, television, TV , news programs, embargoes. Network: NBC.

      9. Chancellor: Other war action in Laos & Cambodia. Time Code Start: 09:58. Keywords: Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam War. Network: NBC.

Context (External Sources)