Breadcrumb

January 21, 1971

Introduction

This almanac page for Thursday, January 21, 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, January 20, 1971

Next Date: Friday, January 22, 1971

Schedule and Public Documents

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. VII, Vietnam, July 1970-January 1972

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

    • 108. Minutes of a Meeting of the Washington Special Actions Group, Washington, January 21, 1971, 4 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; Eyes Only. The meeting took place in the Situation Room of the White House. It ended at 5:23 p.m. (Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Kissinger Papers, Box 438, Miscellany, 1968–76, Record of Schedule)

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

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

    Vol. XXI, Chile, 1969-1973

    Cool and Correct: The U.S. Response to the Allende Administration, November 5, 1970-December 31, 1972

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

    Vol. XXVIII, Southern Africa

    Regional Issues

    • 43. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Zambia, Washington, January 21, 1971, 2200Z

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, SOC 14 S AFR. Limited Official Use. Drafted by Coote on December 12, 1970, cleared by Newsom, and approved by Curran. The text was initially received from the White House.

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

    Nuclear Test Ban Issues; Peaceful Nuclear Explosions

    • 298. Memorandum From the Assistant Director of the Science and Technology Bureau, Arms Control and Disarmament Agency (Keeny) to the Director of the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency (Smith), Washington, January 21, 1971

      Keeny discussed the Canadian reports of radioactive material detected in the atmosphere resulting from U.S. venting following the December 18, 1970 Baneberry underground nuclear test.

      Source: Washington National Records Center, Office of the Director, Subject Files of the Former Executive Director Office, January–December 1971: FRC 383–98–5, Underground Nuclear Testing–Venting December 1970–December 1971. Drafted by P.J. Long (ACDA/ST). The attached memorandum of conversation is not published. The Canadian minister stated that their readings did not indicate conclusively that the increase in radioactivity was a result of venting from the Nevada tests, but they considered it probable because the radioactivity resulted from “fresh venting.”

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

    The Horn

    Vol. E-5, Part 2, Documents on North Africa, 1969-1972

    Algeria

    • 28. Telegram 113 From the Interests Section in Algeria to the Department of State, Algiers, January 21, 1971, 1420Z

      The Interests Section warned the Department that, owing to the continued delay in FPC approval of the El Paso project, the momentum generated by improving U.S.-Algerian relations was slowing and that the delay could cause disillusionment in Algeria.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL ALG-US. Secret. It was repeated to Cairo, Khartoum, London, Paris, Tripoli, Tunis, and Rabat.

  • 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-5499 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-5499-, Seated portraits of H.R. Haldeman. 1/21/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, Roosevelt Room. H.R. Haldeman.

    Roll WHPO-5500 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-5500-01-07, H.R. Haldeman sitting at a desk in front of a painting of men on horseback. 1/21/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, Roosevelt Room. H.R. Haldeman.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-5500-02, H.R. Haldeman sitting at a desk, smiling in front of a painting of men on horseback. 1/21/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, Roosevelt Room. H.R. Haldeman.

    Roll WHPO-5501 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-5501-01-12, Portrait of H.R. Haldeman. 1/21/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, Roosevelt Room. H.R. Haldeman.

    Roll WHPO-5503 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-5503-03-13, Mrs. Davies at a desk, wearing a string of pearls. 1/21/1971, Washington, D.C. unknown. Mrs. Davies.

    Roll WHPO-5504 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-5504-02-10, President Nixon working on his State of the Union Address. 1/21/1971, Washington, D.C. Executive Office Building, Presidential Office. President Nixon.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-5504-09, President Nixon sitting in the Oval Office, working on his State of the Union Address. A gavel and elephant statue are visible on the desk. 1/21/1971, Washington, D.C. Executive Office Building, Presidential Office. President Nixon.
  • 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.

    G - Cabinet Officer Briefings

    • WHCA-SR-G-074
      Briefing by Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare Elliot Richardson and Secretary of Agriculture Clifford Hardin, with Ronald Ziegler. (1/21/1971, Press Center)

      Runtime: 42:00:00

      Production credits: Audio feed supplied by WHCA; Recorded by LRR (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-322
      Remarks by George Shultz and Senator Lowell Weicker. (1/21/1971, Family Theater, White House)

      Runtime: 31:00:00

      Production credits: Audio feed supplied by WHCA; Recorded by LRR (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-4100
      "The Turned On Crisis", Part I: 'Because That's My Way'.
      Undetermined
      Runtime: 1:00
    • WHCA-4101
      "The Turned On Crisis", Part II: 'The First Dimension'. Ted Williams, Mercedes McCambridge, Ben Gazarra, The Brothers Kane.
      Daphne Productions and Roland & Jaffee Productions
      Runtime: 1:00
    • WHCA-4102
      "The Turned On Crisis", Part III: 'Say What?'.
      Undetermined
      Runtime: 1:00
    • WHCA-4103
      "The Turned On Crisis", Part IV: 'The Shade of A Toothpick'.
      Undetermined
      Runtime: 00:59:59
    • WHCA-4104
      "The Turned On Crisis", Part VI: 'To Keep It You Have to Give It Away'.
      Undetermined
      Runtime: 00:59:40
    • WHCA-4105
      "The Turned On Crisis", Part VI: 'The Concept'.
      Undetermined
      Runtime: 00:59:28
    • WHCA-4112
      Weekly News Summary, Tape II.
      ALL NETWORKS
      Runtime: 1:00

      5. Smtih/Clark/Donalson: 92nd Congress. Time Code Start: 16:22. Keywords: House of Representatives, sessions. Network: ABC.

      6. Reasoner/Tuckner: Cambodia and Laos. Time Code Start: 21:54. Keywords: Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam War. Network: ABC.

      7. Smith/Geer: Senator Russell dies. Time Code Start: 24:55. Keywords: Senator, Senate, officials, death. Network: ABC.

      8. Smith: Cambodia. Time Code Start: 27:22. Keywords: Cambodia, Vietnam War. Network: ABC.

      9. Reasoner: Commentary on Senator Russell. Time Code Start: 27:51. Keywords: Senator, Senate, officials, death, reports, documentary. Network: ABC.

      10. Brinkley: Democratic Whip Senator Ted Kennedy voted out of job by Senator Robert Byrd; Senator Carl Albert elected Speaker of House; Hawaii Senator Fong says Hawaii Senator Inouye guilty of racism. Time Code Start: 29:44. Keywords: Senate, elections, voting, leaders, Hawaiian, Senators, criticisms, accusations, racial profiling, racial discrimination, civil rights, Japanese, Chinese. Network: NBC.

      11. Chancellor: Senator Russell dies. Time Code Start: 32:31. Keywords: Senator, Senate, officials, death. Network: NBC.

      12. Cronkite: Democratic Whip Senator Ted Kennedy out. Time Code Start: 33:19. Keywords: Presidential elections, campaigns, campaigning, candidates,. Network: CBS.

      13. Rather: Senator Ted Kennedy in 1972?. Time Code Start: 36:38. Keywords: Presidential elections, campaigns, campaigning, candidates. Network: CBS.

      14. Cronkite/Hart: Senator Russell Dies. Time Code Start: 37:38. Keywords: Senator, Senate, officials, death. Network: CBS.

Context (External Sources)