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February 4, 1971

Introduction

This almanac page for Thursday, February 4, 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, February 3, 1971

Next Date: Friday, February 5, 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 Nixon Administration and War Powers Legislation

    Vol. VII, Vietnam, July 1970-January 1972

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

    • 120. Minutes of a Meeting of the Senior Washington Special Actions Group, Washington, February 4, 1971, 3 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 4:21 p.m. (Ibid., NSC Files, Box 84, Vietnam Subject Files, Special Operations File, Vol. IV) All brackets are in the original.

    Vol. XIII, Soviet Union, October 1970-October 1971

    "A Key Point in Our Relationship": Backchannel Talks on SALT, Berlin, and the Summit

    • 107. Memorandum of Conversation, Washington, February 4, 1971, noon

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 490, President’s Trip Files, Dobrynin/Kissinger, 1971, Vol. 4 [part 2]. Top Secret; Sensitive; Exclusively Eyes Only. Kissinger forwarded the memorandum of conversation and a memorandum summarizing it (as well as the memorandum of his conversation with Dobrynin on February 2) to Nixon on February 8. A note on the covering memorandum indicates that the President saw it. The meeting was held in the Map Room at the White House. According to Kissinger’s Record of Schedule, the meeting lasted until 12:34 p.m. (Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Kissinger Papers, Box 438, Miscellany, 1968–76)

    Vol. XL, Germany and Berlin, 1969-1972

    Germany and Berlin, 1969-1972

    • 172. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon, Washington, February 4, 1971

      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; Sensitive; Exclusively Eyes Only. Sent for information. According to another copy, Kissinger and David Young drafted the memorandum on February 2. (Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Kissinger Papers, Box TS 37, Geopolitical File, Soviet Union, Dobrynin, Chronological File (“D” File), Feb. 1971–Jan. 1977) Butterfield stamped the memorandum indicating that the President had seen it. For their memoir accounts of the meeting, see Kissinger, White House Years, pp. 805–810; and Bahr, Zu meiner Zeit, pp. 354–356.

    • 173. Telegram From the Embassy in Germany to the Department of State, Bonn, February 4, 1971, 1955Z

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 28 GER B. Secret; Immediate; Limdis. Repeated to Berlin, London, Paris, and Moscow. In a February 4 memorandum forwarding the text of the telegram to Kissinger and Haig, Sonnenfeldt commented: “The basic choice we have to make is whether a partial recognition, in writing, by the Soviets of our conception of our rights is better than none at all—the present situation. If we judge that it is worse we had better get out of the talks now. In practice of course the Soviets are likely to laugh this draft out of court precisely because it would require them to recognize Western actions as a matter of right which in the past they have acquiesced in (when they were not harassing) but have never underwritten in legal form. On the contrary, it is their position that no such rights exist. In addition, the draft requires them to accept, in writing, responsibilities they have never accepted before.” (Ibid., Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Kissinger Office Files, Box 58, Country Files, Europe, Berlin, Vol. 1)

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

    Chemical and Biological Warfare; Geneva Protocol; Biological Weapons Convention

    • 213. Memorandum From the Chairman of the National Security Council Under Secretaries Committee (Irwin) to President Nixon, Washington, February 4, 1971

      In forwarding the first Annual Review of the U.S. chemical and biological research program, Irwin summarized its most important recommendations and discussed several issues raised in the review that had been resolved.

      Source: Washington National Records Center, ACDA Central Depository of Top Secret Documents Covering the Period of July 1955–April 1983: FRC 383–98–162, NSC Under Secretaries Committee, Annual Review of U.S. Chemical Warfare and Biological Research Programs, February 1971. Top Secret. The attached Annual Review is not published.

  • 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-5592 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-5592-, President Nixon addressing the American College of Cardiology. 2/4/1971, Washington, D.C. Sheraton Park Hotel. President Nixon, unidentified persons.

    Roll WHPO-5593 Photographer: Schumaker, Byron | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-5593-, Ray Waldmann poses. 2/4/1971, Washington, D.C. Executive Office Building. Ray Waldmann.

    Roll WHPO-5594 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-5594-, Pat Nixon with members of Ikebana International. 2/4/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, State Dining Room. Pat Nixon, Ikebana International members.

  • 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.

    E - Secretary of Defense Briefings

    • WHCA-SR-E-023
      Press briefing by Sec. Def. Melvin Laird and General James. (2/4/1971, Pentagon)

      Runtime: 1:00:00

      Production credits: Audio feed supplied by OPI; Recorded by RSM (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-333
      Press briefing by Gerald Warren and Murray Weidenbaum. (2/4/1971, Press Center, White House)

      Runtime: 25:00:00

      Keywords: Press conferences, news conferences, interviews, media

      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-334
      Press briefing by Ronald Ziegler. (2/4/1971, Press Center, White House)

      Runtime: 40:07:00

      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-335
      Remarks of General J.D. Hughes to retiring General Z. Taylor. (2/4/1971, General Hughes's Office)

      Runtime: 3:25

      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.
    • WHCA-SR-H-336
      Press briefing by Gerald Warren. (2/4/1971, Press Center, White House)

      Runtime: 7:00

      Keywords: Press conferences, news conferences, interviews, media

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

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

    P - Formal Presidential Remarks

    • WHCA-SR-P-710204
      Remarks by President Nixon to Am. College of Cardiologists at Sheraton Park Hotel. (2/4/1971)

      Runtime: 12:21

      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-4154
      Weekly News Summary, Tape II.
      ALL NETWORKS
      Runtime: 1:00

      6. Reasoner/Bell/Farmer/Smith/Peterson: Laos. Time Code Start: 20:13. Keywords: Laos, Vietnam War. Network: ABC.

      7. Smith/Clark: President Nixon's proposals to Congress. Time Code Start: 27:59. Keywords: Presidents, House of Representatives, speeches, statements, messages. Network: ABC.

      8. Smith/Jarriel: former President Kennedy's (JFK) and former First Lady Jackie Kennedy's portraits at the White House. Time Code Start: 28:02. Keywords: Presidents, John F. Kennedy, familes, women, wife, art, paintings. Network: ABC.

      9. Chancellor/Lewis/Bennett/Goralski: Laos border actions. Time Code Start: 31:46. Keywords: Laos, Vietnam War. Network: NBC.

      10. Chancellor: former President Kennedy's (JFK) and former First Lady Jackie Kennedy's portraits at the White House. Time Code Start: 39:10. Keywords: Presidents, John F. Kennedy, familes, women, wife, art, paintings. Network: NBC.

      11. Cronkite/Duvel/Scheiffer: Laos border actions. Time Code Start: 39:53. Keywords: Laos, Vietnam War. Network: CBS.

      12. Cronkite/McLaughlin: former President Kennedy's (JFK) and former First Lady Jackie Kennedy's portraits at the White House. Time Code Start: 48:22. Keywords: Presidents, John F. Kennedy, familes, women, wife, art, paintings. Network: CBS.
    • WHCA-4211
      Excerpts From the "NBC Nightly News" Indochina War Coverage, Tape I (Weekly News Summary).
      NBC

      10. Chancellor: South Vietnamese troops at Laotian border. Time Code Start: 10:28. Keywords: Laos, Vietnam War. Network: NBC.

      11. Lewis: South Vietnamese set up base at Lang Vei. Time Code Start: 11:10. Keywords: Vietnam War, Armed Forces, military, air bases, airfields, airports. Network: NBC.

      12. Bennett: South Vietnamese engineers built Route 9 into Laos for supply movement. Time Code Start: 12:25. Keywords: Laos, Vietnam War, roads, traffic, military, construction, transportation. Network: NBC.

      13. Bennett: Army of the Republic of Viet Nam (ARVN) airborne land at Quang Tri with U.S. copter supply. Time Code Start: 13:22. Keywords: Vietnam War, South Vietnamese Army (SVA), military, troops. Network: NBC.

      14. Chancellor: Secretary of Defense Laird on news blackout; number of troops in operation. Time Code Start: 14:50. Keywords: cabinet, advisors, Vietnam War, Armed Forces, military, media, newspapers, magazines, the press, publications, television, TV. Network: NBC.

      15. Goralsky: Results of invasion to date; invasion strategy. Time Code Start: 15:23. Keywords: Vietnam War. Network: NBC.

      16. Chancellor: Possible reasons for invasion. Time Code Start: 16:40. Keywords: Vietnam War. Network: NBC.

      17. Newman: Paris Peace Talks; war casualties. Time Code Start: 17:00. Keywords: Paris Peace Talks, Vietnam War, treaty, treaties, negotiations, killed in action, KIA, death tolls, fatalities, casualty, casualties, military, troops. Network: NBC.

Context (External Sources)