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May 19, 1969

Introduction

This almanac page for Monday, May 19, 1969, 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 18, 1969

Next Date: Tuesday, May 20, 1969

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 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.

    Addresses and Remarks

    Announcements

    Appointments and Nominations

    • Tennessee Valley Authority (5 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 717, May 19, 1969)
      Announcement of Intention To Nominate Aubrey J. Wagner To Be a Member of the Board of Directors.
    • National Council on the Arts (5 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 718, May 19, 1969)
      Announcement of Appointment of Huntington Hartford To Be a Member of the Council.
    • Board of Parole (5 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 718, May 19, 1969)
      Announcement of Intention to Nominate William E. Amos To Be a Member.
    • Federal Power Commission (5 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 718, May 19, 1969)
      Announcement of Intention To Nominate John N. Nassikas as a Member and Chairman.

    Bill Signings

    • American Fisheries Society (5 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 717, May 19, 1969)
      Announcement of Signing of Bill To Provide Medals in Commemoration of the Society's 100th Anniversary.

    Congress, Communications to

    Digest of Other White House Announcements

    Following is a listing of items of general interest which were announced in the press but not made public as formal White House press releases during the period covered by this issue. Appointments requiring Senate approval are not included since they appear in the list of nominations submitted to the Senate, below.

    • Representative Don H. Clausen of California presented the President with an honorary life membership in the California State Society. He was accompanied by Harold Heimbaugh of Los Angeles, president of Kiwanis International.
    • Wendell E. Smith, president of the United States Jaycees, and Richard Headlee, past national president of the Jaycees, presented the President with a proclamation urging national unity in support of the President's efforts toward peace and self-determination.
    • The President has accepted the resignation of Harold F. Linder as Ambassador to Canada, effective in early July.
    • Prime Minister Siaka Stevens of Sierra Leone called on the President at the White House.

    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.

    • AUBREY J. WAGNER, of Tennessee, to be a member of the Board of Directors of the Tennessee Valley Authority for the term expiring May 18, 1978 (reappointment).
    • WILLIAM T. PECORA, of New Jersey, to be Director of the Geological Survey.
    • SPENCER J. SCHEDLER, of New York, to be an Assistant Secretary of the Air Force.

  • 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.

  • 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. II, Organization and Management of U.S. Foreign Policy, 1969-1972

    Foreign Economic Policy

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

    Trade and Commerce, 1969-1972

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

    East-West Trade, 1969-1972

    Vol. V, United Nations, 1969-1972

    Chinese Representation in the United Nations

    • 276. Telegram From the Department of State to the Mission to the United Nations, Washington, May 19, 1969, 2243Z

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, UN 6 CHICOM. Secret. Drafted by Jay H. Long; cleared by Louise McNutt, Nicholas Platt, Adolph Dubs, Paul H. Kreisberg, and John P. Sontag; and approved by William H. Gleysteen. Also sent to Taipei and repeated to Moscow, Ottawa, Tokyo, and Hong Kong.

    Vol. XXI, Chile, 1969-1973

    A "Noisy Democracy": The Decline of Eduardo Frei, January-December 1969

    • 13. Memorandum From Viron P. Vaky of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) , Washington, May 19, 1969

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 773, Country Files, Latin America, Chile, Vol. I. Confidential. On May 10, Rogers sent a memorandum to Nixon discussing developments in Chilean copper, recommending that Nixon meet with Meyer and Korry to receive Frei’s letter and that the initial U.S. Government reaction be to let the copper companies decide whether to seek an accommodation with the Chilean Government. On May 16, Kissinger submitted a memorandum to Nixon echoing Rogers’s recommendations. Nixon declined to meet with Meyer and Korry, authorized Kissinger to see them on his behalf, and approved Rogers’s policy recommendation. (Ibid.)

    Vol. XXIX, Eastern Mediterranean, 1969-1972

    Turkey

    • 423. Intelligence Information Cable , Washington, May 19, 1969

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 632, Country Files—Middle East, Turkey, Vol. I through May 70. Secret; Priority; No Foreign Dissem. Prepared in the CIA and sent to members of the Intelligence Community.

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

    Spain

    • 282. Memorandum of Conversation , Washington, May 19, 1969, 4:30 p.m.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, DEF 15–4 SP–US. Secret. Drafted by Smith and approved in J on May 26. The meeting was held in Under Secretary Johnson’s office.

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

    Nuclear Test Ban Issues; Peaceful Nuclear Explosions

    • 288. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to Acting Secretary of State Richardson, Washington, May 19, 1969

      Kissinger noted that the President had directed that a study be conducted of the available options for reconciling the U.S. Plowshare program with the LTBT.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, General Files on NSC Matters, Box 15, NSC/USC Memos-UN Secretary’s Committee. Secret. At Tab A was the attachment to Document 286. In a May 23 memorandum, Richardson replied that even before the NSSM 25 exercise began Rogers had approved just such a study and that an interagency group under Pollock’s direction was working on the project. (Ibid.)

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

    Iran 1969

    • 17. Telegram 1925 From the Embassy in Iran to the Department of State, Tehran, May 19, 1969, 1410Z

      The Embassy analyzed Iranian motivations and objectives in the Shatt al-Arab crisis.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, POL 33–1 Iran-Iraq/Shatt al-Arab. Confidential. Repeated for information to Ankara, Bangkok, Jidda, Kuwait, London, Moscow, Rawalpindi, and USUN.

  • 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-1087 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-1087-02-10, President Nixon receiving a tray and a certificate from Harold Heimbaugh of Kwanis International and Rep. Del Clawson. 5/19/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Harold Heimbaugh, Del Clawson.

    Roll WHPO-1088 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-1088-02, Pat Nixon seated with a doll representing her in her inaugural gown. 5/19/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Green Room. Pat Nixon.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1088-03-15, Framed drawings of White House, autographed by Pat Nixon, given to Senate wives as a gift. 5/19/1969, Washington, D.C.

    Roll WHPO-1089 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-1089-02A-09A, Pat Nixon standing and seated with a doll representing her in her inaugural gown. 5/19/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Green Room and State Dining Room. Pat Nixon, Joan Kennedy, unidentified Senate wives.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1089-10A-26A, Pat Nixon with and greeting Senate wives. 5/19/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Green Room and State Dining Room. Pat Nixon, Joan Kennedy, unidentified Senate wives.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1089-27A-28A, The Senate Wives Luncheon. 5/19/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Green Room and State Dining Room. Pat Nixon, Joan Kennedy, unidentified Senate wives.

    Roll WHPO-1090 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-1090-00A-06A, President Nixon presenting a citation and $500 cash to two recipients of the Scholastic Achievement Awards of Recording for the Blind. 5/19/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Roosevelt Room. President Nixon, David Mischel, James Selby, unidentified officials.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1090-02, President Nixon presenting a citation and $500 cash to two recipients of the Scholastic Achievement Awards of Recording for the Blind. 5/19/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Roosevelt Room. President Nixon, David Mischel, James Selby, unidentified officials.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1090-08A-13A, President Nixon sitting with Siaka Stevens, Prime Minister of Sierra Leone, and Cyril Foray, Foreign Minister of Sierra Leone. 5/19/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Siaka Stevens, Cyril Foray.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1090-14A-29A, President Nixon and Secretary of Commerce Maurice Stans giving citations to winners of Presidential "E" Awards. 5/19/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Roosevelt Room. President Nixon, Maurice Stans, unidentified company officials, other guests.

    Roll WHPO-1091 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-1091-00-03, President Nixon standing with unidentified men, holding a plaque. 5/19/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, unidentified men.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1091-04-06, President Nixon seated with Prime Minister of Sierra Leone Siaka Stevens, Foreign Minister of Sierra Leone Cyril Foray and others. 5/19/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Siaka Stevens, Cyril Foray, Joseph Palmer, Clement E. Conger, Roger Morris.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1091-07-30, President Nixon and Secretary of Commerce Maurice Stans giving citations to winners of Presidential "E" Awards and displaying a large pennant. 5/19/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Roosevelt Room. President Nixon, Maurice Stans, unidentified company officials, other guests.

    Roll WHPO-1092 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-1092-03-24, Head and shoulders portrait of Presidential assistant Peter Flanigan. 5/19/1969, Washington, D.C. Peter Flanigan.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1092-21, Closeup portrait of Presidential assistant Peter Flanigan. 5/19/1969, Washington, D.C. Peter Flanigan.

    Roll WHPO-1097 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-1097-01A-07A, Closeup portrait of Siaka Stevens, Prime Minister of Sierra Leone. 5/19/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. Siaka Stevens.

  • 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.

    P - Formal Presidential Remarks

    • WHCA-SR-P-690520
      Remarks by President Nixon on Presenting Scholastic Achievement Awards to Blind College Students, with Allen Merrill. (5/19/1969, Rosevelt Room at the White House)

      Runtime: 3:19

      Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.
    • WHCA-SR-P-690521
      Remarks by President Nixon at presidential "E" awards ceremony, with Secretary Stans. (5/19/1969, Roosevelt Room at the White House)

      Runtime: 2:00

      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-3340
      President Nixon's Trip to South Carolina: The President and the Elder Statesman. Richard Nixon.
      NBC
      Runtime: 1:00

Context (External Sources)