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January 20, 1970

Introduction

This almanac page for Tuesday, January 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: Monday, January 19, 1970

Next Date: Wednesday, January 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.

    News Conferences

    • The Vice President's Trip to Asia (6 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 53, January 20, 1970)
      Press Conference of Vice President Spiro T. Agnew Following His Meeting With the President To Report on His trip.

    Proclamations

    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.

    • Archbishop Giovanni Benelli, Undersecretary of the Secretariat of State, Vatican City, met with the President at the White House.
    • David D. Newsom, Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, and C. Clyde Ferguson, Jr., Special Relief Coordinator, met with the President to report on relief efforts in Nigeria.
    • Martin Mim Mack, 1970 March of Dimes Poster Boy, met with the President at the White House. He was accompanied by Senator George Murphy of California.
    • The President today announced the appointment of Bernard Katzen of New York City as a member of the Board of Foreign Scholarships.
    • The President and the First Lady attended a dinner given in their honor at the Blair House by members of the Cabinet and their wives. The dinner marked the first anniversary of the President's inauguration.

  • 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.

  • Argued

    Decided

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 NSC System

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

    Expansion of the Kissinger-Dobrynin Channel and Further Discussions on the Middle East, December 11, 1969-July 28, 1970

    • 118. Memorandum of Conversation, Washington, January 20, 1970

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 711, Country Files, Europe, USSR, Vol. VI. Top Secret; Sensitive; Eyes Only. The conversation was held in Kissinger’s office. Kissinger sent this memorandum to Nixon under a January 27 covering memorandum that summarized the “most interesting points” of his meeting with Dobrynin.

    Vol. XVII, China, 1969-1972

    China, 1970

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

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL CHICOM–US. Secret; Immediate; Nodis. Received at 2 p.m. Kissinger forwarded the cable to the President on January 21 in his daily briefing memorandum. (Ibid., Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 16, President’s Daily Briefs) The Embassy sent the full record of the meeting to the Department of State on January 24 in Airgram A–25 from Warsaw. (Ibid.) See Foreign Relations, 1969–1976, vol. E–13, Document 3 Stoessel, Kreisberg (Advisor), Donald M. Anderson (Interpreter), Thomas W. Simons (Scribe), Lei Yang (Chargé d’Affaires), Li Ch-ching (Advisor), Ch’ien Yung-nien (Interpreter), and Yeh Wei-lan (Scribe) attended both the January 20 and February 20 meetings.

    Vol. XXXII, SALT I, 1969-1972

    Opening Round at Helsinki and Preparations for Vienna, November 17, 1969-April 15, 1970

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

    Oceans Policy

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

    Nigerian Civil War

    • 172. Transcript of Telephone Conversation, Washington, January 20, 1970, 2:43 p.m.

      President Nixon told his Assistant for National Security Affairs, Kissinger, that he believed Special Coordinator on Relief Ferguson and others were convinced that it was necessary to deal with Major General Gowon, Chairman of the Supreme Military Council of Nigeria. They discussed the starvation crisis, and Nixon expressed his belief that neither the Department of State nor Ferguson cared.

      Source: Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Kissinger Papers, Box 361, Telephone Conversations, Chronological File. No classification marking.

    • 174. Memorandum From the Presidentʼs Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon, Washington, January 20, 1970

      Kissinger attached a memorandum from Morris that considered the Western Report valid in all aspects, cast doubt on Gowonʼs future, and expected large-scale human loss and serious political damage at home. Kissinger agreed that one million to one-and-one-half million people were in danger of dying from starvation or epidemics in the approaching 3 weeks.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 742, Country Files, Africa, Nigeria, Vol. I. Secret; Sensitive. Nixon wrote at the bottom of page one, “K—T. Kennedy told me Newsom & Ferguson had done well in their appearance before his committee.—He said he was not concerned about Rape etc.—That always happens—but that starvation is the problem.” Attached to Morrisʼ memorandum was Document 170.

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

    Nicaragua

    • 489. Memorandum of Conversation, Managua, January 20, 1970., Managua, January 20, 1970

      Embassy Political Officer James E. Briggs met with Dr. Fernando Agüero, the President of the opposition Partido Conservador Tradicional (PCT) to discuss a wave of violence sponsored by the “pro-Castro” FSLN. According to Agüero, the violence was symptomatic of economic and social difficulties which could be considerably relieved if the United States persuaded Somoza not to seek re-election.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 2 NIC. Confidential. Drafted on January 28 by Briggs and cleared by Barnebey. Sent under the covering airgram, A–11, from Managua, February 1. In Airgram A–35 from Managua, March 8, the Embassy reported that it had “seen no evidence that there are any Cubans directly involved with the guerrillas.” (Ibid.)

  • 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-2810 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2810-02-04, Vice President Agnew speaking with two unidentified indviduals upon returning from his trip to Asia. 1/20/1970, Washington, D.C. White House. Spiro Agnew.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2810-05-16, President Nixon and Henry Kissinger meet with Vice President Agnew after his return from Asia. 1/20/1970, Washington, D.C. White House. President Nixon, Spiro Agnew, Henry Kissinger.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2810-17-18, President Nixon with Henry Kissinger, Vice President Agnew and the press upon Vice President Agnew's return from Asia. 1/20/1970, Washington, D.C. White House. President Nixon, Spiro Agnew, Kissinger, press.

    Roll WHPO-2811 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2811-00-18, President Nixon, Vice President Agnew and National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger during a meeting discussing Agnew's trip to the Far East. 1/20/1970, Washington, D.C. White House. President Nixon, Spiro Agnew, Henry A. Kissinger.

    Roll WHPO-2812 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2812-01-4, President Nixon listens to Secretary of State William Rogers reporting on his trip to Africa in an Oval Office meeting with Henry Kissinger, Assistant Sec. of State for African Affairs David Neusom and Special Relief Coordinator Clyde Ferguson. 1/20/1970, Washington, D.C. Oval Office, White House. President Nixon, William Rogers, Henry Kissinger, David Neusom, Clyde Ferguson.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2812-06-11, President Nixon meeting in the Oval Office with representatives of the National Home Builders; George Romney, Charles W. Colson, Louis Barba, John Stastny, Stanley Waranch and Nathaniel Rogg. 1/20/1970, Washington, D.C. Oval Office, White House. President Nixon, George Romney, Charles W. Colson, Louis Barba, John Stastny, Stanley Waranch, Nathaniel Rogg.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2812-13-27, President Nixon meeting in the Oval Office with March of Dimes poster child Martin Mim Mack, his parents Mr. and Mrs. William Mack with Barbara Brooks, John Blecha, Kenneth BeLieu. 1/20/1970, Washington, D.C. Oval Office, White House. President Nixon, Senator Murphy, Martin Mim Mack, Mr. and Mrs. William Mack, Barbara Brooks, John Blecha, Kenneth BeLieu.

    Roll WHPO-2813 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2813-00A-05A, President Nixon meets Lillian Hart and Rep Snyder. 1/20/1970, Washington, D.C. White House. President Nixon, Lillian Hart (fieldman for the ASCS), Congressman Gene Snyder.

    Roll WHPO-2814 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2814-02-29, Pat Nixon receives miniature of inaugural medal from Inaugural Committee Chairman J. Willard Marriott and Dr. Payne. 1/20/1970, Washington, D.C. White House. Pat Nixon, J. Willard Marriott, Dr. Payne.

    Roll WHPO-2815 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2815-04-08, President Nixon and Henry Kissinger meet with Roman Catholic officials, Archbishop Giovanni Benelli, Archbishop Giovanni Benelli, Kissinger, Archbishop Luigi Raimondi, Bishop Joseph Bernadine, and Monsignor Joseph Gremillion. 1/20/1970, Washington, D.C. White House. President Nixon, Archbishop Giovanni Benelli, Kissinger, Archbishop Luigi Raimondi, Bishop Joseph Bernadine, Monsignor Joseph Gremillion.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2815-09-16, Robert Brown is presented with a gift. 1/20/1970, Washington, D.C. White House. Robert Brown, others.

    Roll WHPO-2816 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2816-02A, President Nixon and Pat Nixon greet a few guests in a reception room, before attending a dinner hosted by cabinet members in the President's honor. 1/20/1970, Washington, D.C. Blair House. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Judy Agnew, William Rogers, Clifford Hardin.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2816-02A-14A, President Nixon attends a dinner hosted by cabinet members in his honor. 1/20/1970, Washington, D.C. Blair House, reception room. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Spiro Agnew. Judy Agnew; the following couples: Rogers, Laird, Mitchell, Blount, Hickel, Hardin, Stans, Shultz, Finch, Romney, Volpe, Burns, Harlow, Moynihan, Mayo, Yost, Rumsfeld.

    Roll WHPO-2817 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2817-02, Peter Flanigan sculpture. 1/20/1970, unknown None.

    Roll WHPO-2818 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2818-03-11, Dinner hosted by cabinet members honoring President Nixon. 1/20/1970, Washington, D.C. Blair House. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, members of the Administration and their wives.

  • 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.

    B - Vice-Presidential (Agnew and Ford)

    • WHCA-SR-B-059
      Remarks to media regarding his Asian tour-Roosevelt Rm. (1/20/1970)

      Runtime: 20:00

      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-3603
      "Today" Show with Dr. Isaac Asimov and James Houston.
      NET (National Educational Television, PBS)
      Runtime: 00:52:36
    • WHCA-3604
      "Today" Show with Mrs. Sybil Stockdale and John Howard Griffin. Families of POW's (Vietnam Prisoner of War) H. Ross Perot, Blythe Danner, John Sebastian, Bob & Ray.
      Daphne Productions and Roland & Jaffee Productions
      Runtime: 1:00
    • WHCA-3613
      Weekly News Summary.
      All networks
      Runtime: 01:06:38

      2. Report on President Nixon's first Year in Office. Time Code Start: 02:24. Keywords: Presidents, administrations, reports. Network: CBS.

      3. President Nixon and Vice President Agnew on world affairs. Time Code Start: 10:46. Keywords: Presidents, Vice Presidents, reports, world, war, politics, governments. Network: NBC.

      4. President Nixon and Vice President Agnew on world affairs. Time Code Start: 13:06. Keywords: Presidents, Vice Presidents, reports, world, war, politics, governments. Network: ABC.

Context (External Sources)