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July 26, 1971

Introduction

This almanac page for Monday, July 26, 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: Sunday, July 25, 1971

Next Date: Tuesday, July 27, 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. III, Foreign Economic Policy; International Monetary Policy, 1969-1972

    International Monetary Policy, 1969-1972

    • 162. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in France, Washington, July 26, 1971, 2156Z

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970-73, FN 10. Confidential; Priority; Limdis; Greenback. Drafted in Treasury by Cross and cleared in draft by Volcker; cleared in State by Beigel (EUR/FBX) and approved by L. Kennon (E/IFD/OMA).

    • 163. Telegram From the Department of State to Certain Posts, Washington, July 26, 1971, 2331Z

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970-73, FN 10. Confidential; Limdis; Greenback. Drafted in Treasury by Leddy and cleared by Cross and Volcker; cleared in State by Kennon (E/IFD) and A. Katz (EUR/RPE) and approved by Trezise (E). Sent to Bern, Bonn, Brussels, The Hague, London, Ottawa, Paris, Rome, Stockholm, Tokyo, USOECD, and USEC.

    Vol. VII, Vietnam, July 1970-January 1972

    The Consequences of Operation Lan Som 719 and the Search for a Settlement, April 8-October 6, 1971

    • 236. Memorandum of Conversation, Paris, July 26, 1971, 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 1039, Files for the President, Vietnam Negotiations, HAK II 1971. Top Secret; Sensitive; Exclusively Eyes Only. The meeting took place at the North Vietnamese Residence in Paris, 11 Rue Darthe.

    • 237. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon, Washington, July 26, 1971

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 1039, Files For the President, Vietnam Negotiations, HAK II 1971. Top Secret; Sensitive; Exclusively Eyes Only. Sent for information. There is no indication that Nixon saw it. Kissinger forwarded a slightly different version to Rogers under a covering memorandum, July 27, on which there is a handwritten note indicating that Rogers reviewed it and returned it that day. (Ibid., Box 861, Camp David Memos, July-Dec 1971)

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

    Between Beijing and Moscow: Summit Announcement, July 19-October 12, 1971

    Vol. XVII, China, 1969-1972

    China,January-September 1971

    • 151. Memorandum of Conversation, Paris, July 26, 1971, 4:35-5:15 p.m.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 849, President’s File—China Trip, China Exchanges. Top Secret; Sensitive; Exclusively Eyes Only. The meeting was held at the Chinese Embassy. Attached was a draft summary memorandum for Nixon and a July 30 short covering note by Lord. Kissinger indicated that he did not wish to forward the summary to Nixon. See Foreign Relations, 1969–1976, vol. E–13, Document 12.

    Vol. XXXII, SALT I, 1969-1972

    From SALT Announcement to Summit Announcement, May 27-October 12, 1971

    Vol. XLII, Vietnam: The Kissinger-Le Duc Tho Negotiations

    Discovering the Possible, May 1971-September 1971

    • 11. Memorandum of Conversation, Paris, July 26, 1971, 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 1039, Files for the President, Vietnam Negotiations, HAK II 1971. Top Secret; Sensitive; Exclusively Eyes Only. The meeting took place at the North Vietnamese Residence at 11 Rue Darthé. Brackets are in the original except where noted. In the list of participants, Nguyen Minh Vy’s name was crossed out and Phan Hien’s written in.

      In a July 17 message to Foreign Minister Nguyen Duy Trinh, Le Duc Tho, and Xuan Thuy, the Politburo provided the North Vietnamese negotiating team with direction:

      “The basic goal of our diplomatic struggle at this time is to support the achievement of the strategic military missions that we have discussed with you. Only in that way will we be able to shatter the American ʻVietnamization’ program. With this goal in mind, the immediate future is not yet the right time for a settlement. Timing is the important thing—acting too soon or too late would both be harmful to our cause.

      “Therefore Brother Ba [alias used by Le Duan] and the others here at home believe that for the immediate future at least we should not put forward anything else [at the July 26 meeting], aside from the nine-point proposal we have already presented. If we hastily offer additional items, the enemy will think that it is because we are weak and will increase the pressure on us.

      “The enemy’s goal is a general framework. The current general framework is our nine points. We can take a few points from their seven-point proposal, but this is not yet the time to put anything else forward.” (Message from the Politburo to Nguyen Duy Trinh, Le Duc Tho, and Xuan Thuy, 17 July 1971, in Doan Duc, et al., compilers, Major Events: The Diplomatic Struggle and International Activities during the Resistance War Against the Americans to Save the Nation, 1954–1975, volume 4, pp. 294–295)

      Kissinger’s report to President Nixon after the meeting was generally optimistic: “Although we did not achieve a breakthrough, we have clearly narrowed the issues to one question—the replacement by us of Thieu—and have now left Hanoi to make a decision between this meeting and the next one.” In this meeting, and in all the previous ones and in many to come, the North Vietnamese repeatedly emphasized the necessity for the United States to get rid of Thieu, his government, and its policies, but especially Thieu himself, before progress could be made in the negotiations.

      More generally, under the heading of “What We Have Gained,” Kissinger listed three accomplishments:

      “—A superb public record of genuine willingness to compromise differences and to let the South Vietnamese people decide their future freely. We have conceded everything even remotely reasonable short of a coup against Thieu—neutrality, limitation on military aid, a withdrawal deadline, a large economic aid program.

      “—Also, a record of willingness to take steps and make efforts greater than those demanded by our domestic opposition.

      “—A commitment by the other side stated even more clearly today by Le Duc Tho to release our POWs in exchange for a date. Though this is not enough today we can return to it in the fall.”

      Finally, Kissinger told the President:

      “—I made clear that our meeting again would be a waste of time if they did not rethink their political position and consider new formulations. In turn I would try to be helpful on our residual technical/logistic presence. When I pointedly asked Le Duc Tho whether it was worth continuing the channel on this basis, he said it was.

      “—We then agreed to meet again at 10:30 on August 16.” (Foreign Relations, 1969–1976, vol. VII, Vietnam, July 1970–January 1972, Document 237)

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

    Iran 1971

    • 138. Letter From the Director of Central Intelligence (Helms) to Secretary of State Rogers, Washington, July 26, 1971

      Helms discussed Ambassador MacArthur’s concern that the insecurity of Iranian communications allowed the Soviets access to details of U.S.-Iranian diplomacy.

      Source: Central Intelligence Agency, Executive Registry Files, Job 80B01086A, Box 1, Executive Registry Subject Files, I–13, Iran. Secret. The letter is a copy with an indication that Helms signed the original.

  • 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 Tapes are sound recordings of President Richard Nixon's telephone conversations and of meetings held in the Oval Office and the Cabinet Room in the White House, the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building (OEOB), the Lincoln Sitting Room in the residence section of the White House, and several locations at the Presidential retreat at Camp David, Maryland. These recordings document many of the major events and decisions of the Nixon Administration from February 16, 1971 to July 18, 1973. Visit the White House Tapes finding aid to learn about the taping system's operation and archival processing.

    Oval Office

    White House Telephone

  • 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-6853 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-6853-02A-20A, Close-up portrait study of Tom Korologos. 7/26/1971, Washington, D.C. unknown. Tom Korologos.

    Roll WHPO-6894 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-6894-04A-13A, Vice President Agnew being greeted upon arrival and at various locations. 7/26/1971, Lisbon, Portugal airport, tarmac. Spiro Agnew, officials, unidentified persons.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-6894-14A-30A, Vice President Agnew touring various locations in Lisbon, Portugal. 7/26/1971, Lisbon, Portugal unknown locations. Spiro Agnew, officials, unidentified persons.

    Roll WHPO-6895 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-6895-03-06, 08-12, Vice President Agnew attending events in Lisbon, Portugal. 7/26/1971, Lisbon, Portugal; U.S.A. unknown locations. Spiro Agnew, Judy Agnew, Frank Sinatra, officials, William Rogers, Hardin, Rogers Morton, unidentified persons.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-6895-07, Frank Sinatra walking with unidentified persons. 7/26/1971, Lisbon, Portugal unknown location. Spiro Agnew, Judy Agnew, Frank Sinatra, officials, William Rogers, Hardin, Rogers Morton, unidentified persons.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-6895-13-15, A man cutting a sheet cake aboard Air Force Two while Judy Agnew and other watch. 7/26/1971, air Air Force Two, interior. Spiro Agnew, Judy Agnew, Frank Sinatra, officials, William Rogers, Hardin, Rogers Morton, unidentified persons.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-6895-16-20, Vice President Agnew and Judy Agnew being greeting upon their return to the United States. 7/26/1971, U.S.A. airport, tarmac. Spiro Agnew, Judy Agnew, Frank Sinatra, officials, William Rogers, Hardin, Rogers Morton, unidentified persons.

    Roll WHPO-6896 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-6896-02A-04A, Vice President Agnew touring various locations. 7/26/1971, Lisbon, Portugal unknown, airport. Spiro Agnew, officials.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-6896-05A-06A, Vice President Agnew waving goodbye from Air Force Two. 7/26/1971, Lisbon, Portugal unknown, airport. Spiro Agnew, officials.

  • 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-188
      Arrival remarks-Airport lobby, Lisbon, Portugal. (7/26/1971)

      Runtime: 1:23

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

Context (External Sources)