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May 18, 1970

Introduction

This almanac page for Monday, May 18, 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: Sunday, May 17, 1970

Next Date: Tuesday, May 19, 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 Key Biscayne, Florida

  • 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.

    Acts Approved by the President

    • H.R. 12673 -- Public Law 91-256
      An Act to authorize the transfer by licensed blood banks in the District of Columbia of blood components within the District of Columbia.
    • S.J. Res. 193 -- Public Law 91-255
      Joint Resolution to provide for the appointment of James Edwin Webb as Citizen Regent of the Board of Regents of Smithsonian Institution.

    Nominations Submitted to the Senate

    Does not include promotions of members of the Uniformed Services, nominations to the Service Academies, or nominations of Foreign Service Officers.

    • JOHN O. HURD, of Texas, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of South Africa.
    • W. DONALD BREWER, of Colorado, to be an Interstate Commerce Commissioner for the term of 7 years expiring December 31, 1976, vice Paul J. Tierney.
    • The following-named persons to be Members of the Board of Directors of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting for terms expiring March 26, 1976: FRANK E. SCHOOLEY, of Illinois (reappointment). JOHN HAY WHITNEY, of New York, vice Saul Has, term expired. JACK WRATHER, Of California, vice Erich Leinsdorf, term expired.

  • 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.

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

    Cuba

    • 220. Memorandum From Viron P. Vaky of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), Washington, May 18, 1970. , Washington, May 18, 1970

      National Security Council staff member Vaky forwarded to President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs Kissinger a revised memorandum to President Nixon on Cuban exile activities, requesting that authorization to discourage exiles from taking actions that might be counter-productive to U.S. interests.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 780, Country Files, Latin America, Cuba, Vol. II, 1970. Secret; Sensitive. The memoranda are uninitialed copies and there is no indication they were sent. Tabs A and B are attached but not published. In a May 25 memorandum to Kissinger, Vaky noted that Treasury had been investigating the activities of Alpha–66 since July 1969. A handwritten note by Haig, June 3, at the bottom of the memorandum reads, “Pete–Let’s take it easy–this will evoke strong Pres. reaction. Pete, please call me. Al.” (Ibid.) A Department of State official met with Cuban exiles, May 15, to discourage them from taking actions against Cuba. (Memorandum of conversation, May 15; Ibid., RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 30–2 CUBA) In a July 10 memorandum to Mitchell, Helms stated, “I had the distinct impression from the President one day a couple of months ago that he rather favors some anti-Castro activity by this ALPHA 66 group.” (Central Intelligence Agency, Executive Registry, Job 80–B01285A)

  • 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-3525 Photographer: Hodge | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-3525-05-13, Bill Hopkins and representative of C&P Telephone Co. 5/18/1970, Washington, D.C. White House grounds. William Hopkins.

    Roll WHPO-3526 Photographer: Hartmann | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-3526-1-4, A portrait study of Ginger Savell. 5/18/1970, unknown unknown. Ginger Savell.

  • 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-3728
      "To Tell the Truth" with Constance Dunaway. Spiro T. Agnew, Vice President of the United States; Senator Mike Mansfield.
      CBS
      Runtime: 0:30

Context (External Sources)