July 20, 1970

The Daily Diary files represent a consolidated record of the President's activities. Visit the finding aid to learn more.

• Original typewritten diary (PDF)

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

• Federal Service Impasses Panel (6 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 962, July 20, 1970)
  Announcement of Appointment of Seven Members of the Panel.

Executive Orders

• Federal Water Pollution Control (6 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 962, July 20, 1970)
  Executive Order 11548.

News Conferences

• The President's News Conference of July 20, 1970 (6 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 964, July 20, 1970)
  The President's Remarks and Responses to Questions in an Informal News Conference in His Office.

Statements by the President

• Anniversary of First Manned Lunar Landing (6 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 962, July 20, 1970)
  Statement by the President.

Acts Approved by the President

• S. 1519 -- Public Law 91-345
  National Commission on Libraries and Information Science Act.
• S. 3215 -- Public Law 91-346
  An Act to amend the National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities Act of 1965, and for other purposes.
• S.J. Res. 201 -- Public Law 91-344
  Joint Resolution to extend the reporting date of the National Commission on Consumer Finance.

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.

• Statement on the Anniversary of the First Manned Lunar Landing.
• Executive Order 11548—Delegating Functions of the President Under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as Amended
• The President's News Conference

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.

No Federal Register published on this date

The Congressional Record is the official daily record of the debates and proceedings of the U.S. Congress.

• House of Representatives: July 20, 1970
• Senate: July 20, 1970
• Extensions of Remarks: July 20, 1970

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.

• Transcript of diary entry (PDF)
• Handwritten diary entry (JPG)

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

• Text search for July 20, 1970
• Date search for July 20, 1970

All National Archives Units

• Text search for July 20, 1970
• Date search for July 20, 1970

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.

• President's Daily Brief of 20 July 1970

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

Managing the Department of State

• 321. Memorandum From the Deputy Under Secretary of State for Administration (Macomber) to Secretary of State Rogers, Washington, July 20, 1970

  Source: National Archives, RG 59, Office of the Deputy Under Secretary for Management, Management Reform Task Force Papers: Lot 74 D 394, Task Force File, July 1970. No classification marking. Drafted by Macomber. Printed from an unsigned copy.

Vol. VI, Vietnam, January 1969-July 1970

Vietnam, January 1969-July 1970

• 345. Memorandum From Secretary of State Rogers to President Nixon, Washington, July 20, 1970

  Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 27–14 ASIA SE. Secret; Sensitive; Nodis. Drafted by Sullivan on July 20. Eliot sent this memorandum under a July 20 covering note to Rogers for his signature. Eliot wrote: “The scenario has been amended to add the two points you asked to be included: consultations with Lon Nol and the ICC involvement in ceasefires for Laos and Cambodia.” On July 20 Kissinger sent this memorandum, which he described as “an illustrative scenario for diplomatic initiatives on Indochina … only as background information for the July 21 National Security Council” to the principal members of the NSC with copies to Moore, Bruce, Bunker, and Habib. (Ibid., Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–028, NSC Meeting, Vietnam: Ceasefire and Diplomatic Initiative, 7/21/70)

• 347. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon, Washington, July 20, 1970

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–028, NSC Meeting, Vietnam: Ceasefire and Diplomatic Initiative, 7/21/70. Top Secret; Sensitive. Kissinger sent this memorandum to Nixon under a covering note of July 20, suggesting that the President would want to read this before the NSC meeting. On another copy of this memorandum, Lord is given as the drafter, except for the conclusions, which were rewritten by Holdridge and Kissinger; the drafting date given is July 20. (Ibid., NSC Files, Box 861, For the President’s File—Vietnam Negotiations, Camp David Memoranda, 1969–1970)

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

• 183. Memorandum of Conversation, Washington, July 20, 1970, 10:30 a.m.

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 489, President’s Trip Files, Dobrynin/Kissinger, 1970, Part 1, Vol. 1. Top Secret; Sensitive; Eyes Only. The conversation was held in the Map Room at the White House. Under cover of a July 21 memorandum, Kissinger sent Nixon this memorandum of conversation and a summary of his conversation with Dobrynin. (Ibid.)

Vol. XIX, Part 2, Japan, 1969-1972

December 1969-March 1971: Relations After the First Nixon-Sato Summit

• 49. Memorandum From Secretary of State Rogers to President Nixon, Washington, July 20, 1970

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 282, Agency Files, Dept of State, Vol. VIII, 1 Jul 70–Aug 70. Secret. Kissinger sent Rogers’ report, as well as the conference report, to Nixon under cover of an August 10 information memorandum.

Vol. XXIV, Middle East Region and Arabian Peninsula, 1969-1972; Jordan, September 1970

Saudi Arabia

• 142. Telegram From the Embassy in Saudi Arabia to the Departments of State and Defense, Jidda, July 20, 1970, 0645Z

  Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, DEF 1 SAUD. Confidential. It was repeated to USMTM Dhahran and CINCSTRIKE–USCINCMEAFSA.

Vol. XXXII, SALT I, 1969-1972

Round Two at Vienna, April 18-August 13, 1970

• 96. Memorandum of Conversation, Washington, July 20, 1970, 10:30 a.m.

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 489, President’s Trip Files, Dobrynin/Kissinger, 1970, Vol. 1 [Part 1]. Top Secret; Sensitive; Eyes Only. The meeting, which took place in the Map Room at the White House, was requested by Dobrynin. On July 21 Kissinger sent Nixon a copy of the memorandum of conversation as an attachment to a summary of his conversation with Dobrynin. (Ibid.) The full text of the memorandum of conversation is printed in Foreign Relations, 1969–1976, volume XII, Soviet Union, January 1969–October 1970, Document 183.

Vol. XXXIX, European Security

"Bureaucratic Steamroller," January 1969-November 1970

• 31. Memorandum of Conversation, Washington, July 20, 1970, 10:30 a.m.

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 489, President’s Trip Files, Dobrynin/Kissinger, 1970, Pt. I, Vol. I. Top Secret; Sensitive; Eyes Only. The conversation took place in the White House Map Room. The full text of the memorandum of conversation is in Foreign Relations, 1969–1976, volume XII, Soviet Union, January 1969–October 1970, Document 183.

Vol. E-4, Documents on Iran and Iraq, 1969-1972

Iran 1970

• 77. Telegram 115967 From the Department of State to the Embassy in Iran, Washington, July 20, 1970, 2106Z

  The Department advised the Embassy that the U.S. Government would examine whether military sales to Iran were in the U.S. national interest, whether they would affect area security, and whether they were a military imperative.
  
  Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, DEF 12–5 IRAN. Secret. Drafted by Miklos; cleared by DOD and Richard C. Matheron (PM/MA&S); and approved by Davies. Repeated for information to CINCSTRIKE/CINCMEAFSA.

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

Afghanistan, 1969-1972

• 335. Letter From the Afghan Minister of Planning (Sarabi) to the Ambassador to Afghanistan (Neumann), Kabul, July 20, 1970

  Because of drought conditions in Afghanistan, Sarabi sent an urgent request to Neumann for 100,000 tons of wheat under the PL–480 program.
  
  Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, AID(US) 15–8 AFG. Unclassified. Sent to the Department on September 2 as an attachment to airgram Kabul Toaid A-375. Published from a copy that indicates Sarabi signed the original. Public Law 480 was the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 as amended. PL–480 was a program of agricultural subsidies to developing countries popularly known as the Food for Peace Act. (68 Stat. 454)

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

Jamaica

• 415. Memorandum From Viron P. Vaky of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), Washington, July 20, 1970., Washington, July 20, 1970

  National Security Council staff member Vaky informed President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs Kissinger that President Nixon had agreed to meet with Prime Minister Shearer to discuss the bauxite problem and covert support for Shearer’s reelection. In reference to the bauxite question, Vaky recommended that the President listen to the Prime Minister and promise to study the situation. Concerning covert support for Shearer’s reelection, Vaky indicated his opposition to the idea.
  
  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 786, Country Files, Box 786, Country Files, Latin America, Jamaica, Vol. I. Secret; Sensitive. Sent for action. The memorandum is a “not logged” item. A handwritten note by Kissinger, which appears next to Vaky’s recommendation against covert reelection support, reads, “Let’s talk to Helms.” Neither of the attachments is published. The attachments are: Tab A, a July 7 letter from de Roulet to Haldeman, requesting a meeting between Shearer and President Nixon; and an August 2 note from Nachmanoff to Kissinger indicating that the President agreed to see Shearer on August 11 at 11:30 a.m., but no memorandum of conversation of the meeting has been found. On August 10, Kissinger sent Nixon a briefing memorandum for the proposed meeting; not published. (Ibid.)

Paraguay

• 569. Letter From President Stroessner of Paraguay to President Nixon, July 20, 1970.

  President Stroessner told President Nixon that Paraguay faced a threat from communist subversion. The Paraguayan leader expressed concern that there would be cuts in U.S. military assistance.
  
  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 760, Presidential Correspondence, 1969–1974, Paraguay, President Alfredo Stroessner. No classification making.

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.

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-3952 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-3952-05A-15A, Presentation to William Anders. 7/20/1970, Washington, D.C. White House. William Anders and two presenters.
• Frame(s): WHPO-3952-16A-33A, President Nixon holds a press conference. 7/20/1970, Washington, D.C. Oval Office. President Nixon, Secretary of State William Rogers, other members of the President's staff and the press corps.
• Frame(s): WHPO-3952-29A, President Nixon holds a press conference. 7/20/1970, Washington, D.C. Oval Office.

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-223
  Radio interview with Herbert Klein and Robert Finch by Allen Christenson and Tom Garrard. (7/20/1970, Wash FM studio)
  
  Runtime: 55:00:00
  
  Keywords: interviews, media, radio
  
  Production credits: Audio feed supplied by "WASH FM"; Recorded by SRJ (initials of WHCA engineer)
  
  Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.

K - Informal Presidential Remarks

• WHCA-SR-K-004
  Press conference. (7/20/1970)
  
  Keywords: Presidential press conferences, presidential news conferences, interviews, media
  
  Production credits: Feed information undetermined by WHCA; No WHCA engineer initials listed
  
  Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.

P - Formal Presidential Remarks

• WHCA-SR-P-700715
  Remarks by President Nixon in an impromptu press conference. (7/20/1970)
  
  Runtime: 0:31:25
  
  Keywords: Presidential press conferences, presidential news conferences, interviews, media
  
  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-3800
  Weekly News Summary, Pt. 1.
  All networks
  Runtime: 01:03:21
  
  16. Reynolds: Unexpected Presidential news conference announcement. Time Code Start: 20:42. Keywords: Presidents, media, press conferences, news conferences. Network: ABC.
  
  17. Jarriel: President Nixon's news conference; supports South Vietnam President Nguyen Van Thieu, campus peace but won't end war to get it; predicts economy rise and full employment by 1972. Time Code Start: --. Keywords: Presidents, speeches, media, press conferences, news conferences, Vietnam War, Campus Unrest,. Network: ABC.
  
  18. Reynolds: President Nixon suddenly confidant in the economy; not all good. Time Code Start: 23:16. Keywords: economy, economics, budgets, finances, recession, inflation, money. Network: ABC.
  
  19. Downs: Economy; Council Econonic Advisers Paul McCracken predicts recovery; udget Director George Shultz says knows what caused inflation; Senator William Proxmire thinks President Nixon veiling the truth. Time Code Start: --. Keywords: economy, economics, budgets, finances, recession, inflation, money. Network: ABC.
  
  20. Reynolds: Commentary that Apollo 11 success and Apollo 13 failure equally valuable, showed need for mutual help. Time Code Start: 25:24. Keywords: NASA, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, space program, astronauts, moon landing,. Network: ABC.
  
  21. Brinkley: President Nixon urges Congress to restrain election year spending; Chief Nixon Economic Adviser Paul McCracken reports inflation ending soon. Time Code Start: 27:28. Keywords: economy, economics, budgets, finances, recession, inflation, money. Network: NBC.
  
  22. Brinkley: President Nixon at news conference says won't allow South Vietnam coalition government, won't send vigilante legal force to insure the South desegregate, no plans to expel Soviet from Egypt. Time Code Start: 28:55. Keywords: Presidents, media, press conferences, news conferences, interviews, desegregation, racism, racial profiling, racial discrimination, civil rights, African Americans, Vietnam War, elections, Middle East, Mideast, Russia, Soviet Union, USSR. Network: NBC.
  
  23. Huntley: National Urban League (NUL). Time Code Start: 29:45. Keywords: needs review for content; National League on Urban Conditions Among Negroes, civil rights, African Americans, advocates, racial discrimination, Whitney Young. Network: NBC.
  
  24. Reasoner: Unexpected Presidential news conference. Time Code Start: 31:19. Keywords: Presidents, media, press conferences, news conferences, interviews. Network: CBS.
  
  25. Reasoner/Rather: President Nixon's surprise news conference, won't send vigilante attorneys to force South desegregation, says economy may have bottomed out. Time Code Start: --. Keywords: Presidents, speeches, statements, media, press conferences, cost of living, budgets, economics, desegregation, racism, racial profiling, racial discrimination, civil rights, African Americans. Network: CBS.
  
  26. Reasoner: Migrant workers. Time Code Start: 33:42. Keywords: needs review for content, jobs, unemployment, illegal immigrants, immigration, foreign workers, farm workers. Network: CBS.
  
  27. Seargent: Migrant workers. Time Code Start: --. Keywords: needs review for content, jobs, unemployment, illegal immigrants, immigration, foreign workers, farm workers. Network: CBS.
  
  28. Reasoner: No Knock Law. Time Code Start: 36:03. Keywords: law inforcement, police, arrests, investigations, laws, needs review for content,. Network: CBS.
  
  29. Strawser: Attorney General Mitchell. Time Code Start: --. Keywords: cabinet, advisors, law officials, needs review for content. Network: CBS.
  
  30. Reasoner: CBS and subcommittee. Time Code Start: 37:56. Keywords: media, radio, television, TV, the press, network broadcasting corporations, investigations, needs review for content. Network: CBS.
  
  31. Reasoner: Economy. Time Code Start: 39:01. Keywords: economy, economics, budgets, finances, recession, inflation, money, needs review for content. Network: CBS.
  
  32. Herman: Economy (President Nixon). Time Code Start: --. Keywords: economy, economics, budgets, finances, recession, inflation, money. Network: CBS.
  
  33. Reasoner: Apollo 11 first anniversary. Time Code Start: 41:34. Keywords: NASA, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, space, space program, astronauts, moon, flights, celebrations. Network: CBS.
  
  34. Schoumacher: Apollo 11 (first anniversary). Time Code Start: --. Keywords: NASA, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, space, space program, astronauts, moon, flights, celebrations. Network: CBS.

• TIME magazine of July 20, 1970

• New York Times of July 20, 1970

• AP Images photos from July 20, 1970
• Getty Images photos from July 20, 1970

The Vanderbilt Television News Archive is the world's most extensive and complete archive of television news. They have been recording, preserving and providing access to television news broadcasts of the national networks since August 5, 1968.

• July 1970 Broadcast Index

Wikipedia is a free encyclopedia that anyone can edit.

• July 20, 1970