March 17, 1971

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.

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.

• Eulogy Delivered at Burial Services for Whitney M. Young, Jr., in Lexington, Kentucky
• Statement on Signing Bill Increasing Social Security Benefits.

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.

• Federal Register of Wednesday, March 17, 1971

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

• House of Representatives: March 17, 1971
• Extensions of Remarks: March 17, 1971

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)
• Original audio recording (MP3)

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 March 17, 1971
• Date search for March 17, 1971

All National Archives Units

• Text search for March 17, 1971
• Date search for March 17, 1971

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 17 March 1971

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. IV, Foreign Assistance, International Development, Trade Policies, 1969-1972

Foreign Assistance Policy, 1969-1972

• 56. Action Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon, Washington, March 17, 1971

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Agency Files, Box 195, AID 1/1/71-12/31/71. Secret; Exdis. A copy was sent to Schlesinger on March 22, without the President’s comments (see footnote 5 below). This memorandum is attached to a March 19 memorandum from Kennedy to Kissinger calling his attention to Shultz’ concern about Secretary Laird’s Congressional testimony on March 24 before the foreign assistance legislation went to Congress. On the back of his memorandum Kennedy wrote the following note on March 20: “Schlesinger called to say that they have agreed to have Laird testify but only as to content of FY 72 budget. No mention will be made of organizational arrangements. If asked about new legislation answer is to be that it will be submitted in a few days.” (National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Agency Files, Box 195, AID 1/1/71-12/31/71)

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

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

• 143. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to Secretary of Defense Laird, Washington, March 17, 1971

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 405, Subject Files, USSR, US Ships in the Black Sea (Silver Fox). Secret.

Vol. XXI, Chile, 1969-1973

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

• 213. Memorandum From Frank Chapin of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), Washington, March 17, 1971

  Source: National Security Council, Nixon Intelligence Files, Subject Files, Chile, 1971–72. Secret; Sensitive; Eyes Only. Sent for action. Chapin noted in an attached March 17 memorandum to Kennedy, “I will appreciate anything you can do to get HAK’s approval on this expeditiously and let me know so that CIA can send appropriate notification to the field. I am well aware that Henry does not normally like to handle these matters without formally convening a 40 Committee meeting. However, timing is urgent, the approval sought is limited to an increase in funds for a program already discussed and approved, and all other members of the 40 Committee have now voted in the affirmative.” (Ibid.)

Vol. XXXIV, National Security Policy, 1969-1972

The Defense Budget and U.S. National Security Policy

• 182. Minutes of Defense Program Review Committee Meeting, Washington, March 17, 1971, 3:23-4:34 p.m.

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–118, DPRC Minutes, Originals, ‘69–’73 [1 of 3]. Top Secret; Nodis. All brackets except those that indicate omitted material are in the original. Kissinger approved the minutes, according to a March 25 covering memorandum from Jeanne Davis to Kissinger. Wayne Smith advised Kissinger that the purpose of the meeting was “to clearly identify for the DPRC the issues surrounding the conflicting assessments of the survivability and effectiveness of strategic forces.” (Undated memorandum; ibid., Box H–101, DPRC Meeting, 3–17–71)

Vol. XLI, Western Europe; NATO, 1969-1972

France

• 151. Memorandum From Helmut Sonnenfeldt of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), Washington, March 17, 1971

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 677, Country Files—Europe, France, Vol. VII. Secret; Nodis. Sent for information. Initialed by Kissinger. Tab A is not printed.

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

International Cooperation in Space, 1969-1972

• 258. Memorandum From the President’s Science Adviser (David) to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), Washington, March 17, 1971

  Prior to another round of talks, David communicated to Kissinger his concerns about negative factors of space cooperation with the Europeans.
  
  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 393, Subject Files, Space Programs, 1971. Sensitive; Eyes Only. A copy was sent to Flanigan.

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

Guyana

• 374. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to the Secretary of State Rogers and the Secretary of Defense Laird, Washington, March 17, 1971., Washington, March 17, 1971

  President Nixon requested that the NSC Undersecretaries Committee assess how Guyana’s nationalization of part of its bauxite industry would affect the United States.
  
  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files, (H-Files), Box H–181, NSSM Files, NSSM 117. Secret. A copy was sent to the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of Commerce, the Chairman of the JCS, and the Chairman of the NSC Under Secretaries Committee. A covering memorandum from Kennedy to Kissinger noted that typically such memoranda are sent only to the Chairman of the Undersecretaries Committee, and sending the memorandum to the Secretaries of State and Defense was a new practice. Kissinger wrote on the bottom, “What I want is the directive to go to all agencies on that committee, as a directive [illegible] from me.” Although the study was not found, the portion of the response to NSSM 117 that dealt with bauxite is published as Document 46.

Mexico

• 458. Memorandum From the Director of Central Intelligence (Helms) to President Nixon, Washington, March 17, 1971., Washington, March 17, 1971

  [2 pages not declassified]
  
  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 787, Country Files, Latin America, Mexico, Vol. II, January 1, 1970–December 31, 1971. Secret.

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 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

• 467-12; Unknown between 9:01 a.m. & 9:10 a.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Butterfield, Alexander P.
• 467-13; Unknown between 9:01 a.m. & 9:10 a.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); White House operator
• 467-14; 9:10 a.m. - 9:14 a.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Moorer, Thomas H. (Adm.)
• 467-15; 9:15 a.m. - 9:16 a.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Butterfield, Alexander P.
• 467-16; Unknown between 9:16 a.m. & 9:42 a.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Haldeman, H. R. ("Bob"); Butterfield, Alexander P.
• 467-17; Unknown between 9:16 a.m. & 9:42 a.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Butterfield, Alexander P.
• 467-18; Unknown between 9:16 a.m. & 9:42 a.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Haldeman, H. R. ("Bob"); Butterfield, Alexander P.
• 467-19; Unknown between 9:42 a.m. & 10:04 a.m.; Sanchez, Manolo; [Unknown person(s)]
• 467-20; Unknown between 2:32 p.m. & 2:43 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); [Unknown person(s)]
• 467-21; Unknown between 2:32 p.m. & 2:43 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); White House operator
• 467-22; 2:43 p.m. - 2:43 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); White House operator
• 467-23; 2:43 p.m. - 3:17 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Kissinger, Henry A.; Hansen, Clifford P.; Woods, Rose Mary
• 467-24; Unknown between 3:17 p.m. & 3:21 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); [Unknown person(s)]
• 467-25; Unknown between 3:17 p.m. & 3:21 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); White House operator
• 467-26; 3:21 p.m. - 3:23 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Colmer, William M.
• 467-27; Unknown between 3:23 p.m. & 3:25 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); White House operator
• 467-28; 3:25 p.m. - 3:29 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Stratton, Samuel S.
• 467-29; Unknown between 3:29 p.m. & 3:31 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); White House operator
• 467-30; 3:31 p.m. - 3:36 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Nixon, Thelma C. ("Pat") (Ryan)
• 467-31; 3:36 p.m. - 3:36 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); White House operator
• 467-32; Unknown between 3:36 p.m. & 3:43 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); White House operator
• 467-33; Unknown between 3:36 p.m. & 3:43 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); White House operator
• 467-34; Unknown between 3:36 p.m. & 3:43 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); White House operator
• 467-35; 3:43 p.m. - 3:44 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Ellington, Edna (Thompson)
• 467-36; Unknown between 3:44 p.m. & 3:48 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Butterfield, Alexander P.
• 467-37; Unknown between 3:44 p.m. & 3:48 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); White House operator
• 467-38; Unknown between 3:44 p.m. & 3:48 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); White House operator
• 467-39; 3:48 p.m. - 3:49 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Baker, LaMar
• 467-40; 3:51 p.m. - 3:58 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Safire, William L.
• 467-41; Unknown between 3:58 p.m. & 5:52 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Haldeman, H. R. ("Bob"); [Unknown person(s)]; Ziegler, Ronald L.; Woods, Rose Mary; Ehrlichman, John D.; White House operator; Chapin, Dwight L.; Rogers, William P.
• 467-42; Unknown between 5:24 p.m. & 6:07 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Haldeman, H. R. ("Bob"); Ziegler, Ronald L.; White House operator; [Unknown person(s)]; Colson, Charles W.

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-5885 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-5885-03-08, John Davies receiving a framed presentation gift from unidentified men. 3/17/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, grounds. John Davies, unidentified men.

Roll WHPO-5886 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-5886-03A-08A, Ed Morgan briefing. 3/17/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, Roosevelt Room. Ed Morgan, William Ruckelshaus, unidentified persons.

Roll WHPO-5887 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-5887-01A-21A, Burial interment service for Whitney Young, Jr. 3/17/1971, Lexington, Kentucky Greenwood Cemetery. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, funeral mourners.
• Frame(s): WHPO-5887-08A, President Nixon speaking while standing next to the casket at the burial interment service for Whitney Young, Jr. 3/17/1971, Lexington, Kentucky Greenwood Cemetery. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, funeral mourners.
• Frame(s): WHPO-5887-24A-25A, Unidentified men on a plane. 3/17/1971, air plane, interior. unidentified men.

Roll WHPO-5888 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-5888-01A-19A, Burial interment service for Whitney Young, Jr. 3/17/1971, Lexington, Kentucky Greenwood Cemetery. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, funeral mourners.
• Frame(s): WHPO-5888-08, President Nixon, Pat Nixon, and mourners at the burial interment service for Whitney Young, Jr. 3/17/1971, Lexington, Kentucky Greenwood Cemetery. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, funeral mourners.

Roll WHPO-5889 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-5889-02A-09A, Herb Klein sitting with students. 3/17/1971, Washington, D.C. unknown room. Herb Klein, unidentified students.
• Frame(s): WHPO-5889-10A-18A, John Davies receiving a presentation gift from Rep. James Broyhill and an unidentified young man. 3/17/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, grounds. John Davies, James Broyhill, unidentified young man.

Roll WHPO-5890 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-5890-02-12, Tricia Nixon holding a press conference with female journalists concerning her engagement to Edward Cox. 3/17/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, Map Room. Tricia Nixon, Helen Thomas, women reporters.
• Frame(s): WHPO-5890-03A, Tricia Nixon holding a press conference concerning her engagement to Edward Cox. 3/17/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, Map Room. Tricia Nixon, Helen Thomas, women reporters.
• Frame(s): WHPO-5890-08A, Tricia Nixon holding a press conference concerning her engagement to Edward Cox. 3/17/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, Map Room. Tricia Nixon, Helen Thomas, women reporters.

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.

D - First Family

• WHCA-SR-D-012
  Tricia Nixon's interview with the ladies of the press. (3/17/1971, Map Room, The White House)
  
  Runtime: 58:00:00
  
  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.

P - Formal Presidential Remarks

• WHCA-SR-P-710321
  Eulogy for Whitney Young at Greenwood Cemetery, Lexington, Ky. (3/17/1971)
  
  Runtime: 8:41
  
  Keywords: African Americans, Civil Rights
  
  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-4224
  Whitney Young Funeral coverage. Richard Nixon.
  KDIN
  Runtime: 1:00
• WHCA-4226
  Weekly News Summary, Tape I.
  ALL NETWORKS
  Runtime: 1:30
  
  29. Reasoner: Laos. Time Code Start: 48:54. Keywords: Laos, Vietnam War. Network: ABC.
  
  30. Tuckner: Khe Sanh in South Vietnam. Time Code Start: 49:48. Keywords: Vietnam War, mlitary, troops, bases. Network: ABC.
  
  31. Smith: Whitney Young. Time Code Start: 52:30. Keywords: leaders, National Urban League, NUL, National League on Urban Conditions Among Negroes, civil rights, African Americans, advocates. Network: ABC.
  
  32. Jarriel: Lexington, Kentucky funeral of Whitney Young (President Nixon). Time Code Start: 52:51. Keywords: Presidents, travel, trips, Nixon trips, domestic, speeches, leaders, National Urban League, NUL, National League on Urban Conditions Among Negroes, civil rights, African Americans, advocates, death, burials, funerals. Network: ABC.
  
  33. Reasoner: Middle East. Time Code Start: 55:13. Keywords: Middle East, Mideast, war. Network: ABC.
  
  34. Smith/Gill: Tricia Nixon. Time Code Start: 56:01. Keywords: President Nixon, families, marriage, engagements, announcements. Network: ABC.
  
  35. Smith: Commentary on tax reform. Time Code Start: 58:24. Keywords: bills, laws, taxes, taxation, revenue, reforms. Network: ABC.
  
  36. McGee: Senator Proxmire on W.H. approval of Supersonic Transport (SST). Time Code Start: 60:20. Keywords: Supersonic Transport, SST, aircraft, speed of sound, subsonic airliners. Network: NBC.
  
  37. McGee: Laos. Time Code Start: 61:23. Keywords: Laos, Vietnam War. Network: NBC.
  
  38. Brinkley: President Nixon in Lexington, Kentucky for funeral of civil rights leader Whitney Young, delivers Eulogy. Time Code Start: 62:15. Keywords: Presidents, travel, trips, Nixon trips, domestic, speeches, leaders, National Urban League, NUL, National League on Urban Conditions Among Negroes, civil rights, African Americans, advocates, death, burials, funerals. Network: NBC.
  
  39. Brinkley: President Nixon announces wedding engagement of Tricia Nixon and Edward Cox. Time Code Start: 64:11. Keywords: President Nixon, families, marriage, engagements, announcements. Network: NBC.
  
  40. Cronkite/Rabel: Laos. Time Code Start: 65:43. Keywords: Laos, Vietnam War. Network: CBS.
  
  41. Cronkite/Webster: CBS evaluation of Laos. Time Code Start: 69:15. Keywords: Laos, Vietnam War, Indochina War. Network: CBS.
  
  42. Cronkite/Rather: President Nixon in Lexington, Kentucky for funeral of civil rights leader Whitney Young. Time Code Start: 72:35. Keywords: Presidents, travel, trips, Nixon trips, domestic, speeches, leaders, National Urban League, NUL, National League on Urban Conditions Among Negroes, civil rights, African Americans, advocates, death, burials, funerals. Network: CBS.
  
  43. Cronkite: Tricia Nixon. Time Code Start: 74:56. Keywords: President Nixon, families, marriage, engagements, announcements. Network: CBS.
  
  44. Sevareid: Fist fights in Washington, D.C.; Representative Boggs punched by former Senator; Sen. Buckley and columnist William Buckley's sister swings at University speaker, Averell Harriman threatens to punch former Diplomat Edward Weintal. Time Code Start: 75:39. Keywords: politicians, Ambassadors, Senators, Congress, fighting, violence, attacks. Network: CBS.

• New York Times of March 17, 1971

• AP Images photos from March 17, 1971
• Getty Images photos from March 17, 1971

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.

• March 1971 Broadcast Index

Wikipedia is a free encyclopedia that anyone can edit.

• March 17, 1971