May 19, 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.

• Letter to Representative Charles C. Diggs, Jr., in Response to Recommendations of the Congressional Black Caucus.
• Remarks at the Annual Convention of the American National Red Cross.
• Statement About Federal Assistance for Farmers in Drought-Stricken Areas of the Southwest
• Proclamation 4054—Father's Day, 1971

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, May 19, 1971

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

• House of Representatives: May 19, 1971
• Senate: May 19, 1971
• Extensions of Remarks: May 19, 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 May 19, 1971
• Date search for May 19, 1971

All National Archives Units

• Text search for May 19, 1971
• Date search for May 19, 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 19 May 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. II, Organization and Management of U.S. Foreign Policy, 1969-1972

The NSC System

• 148. H.R. Haldeman Diary Entry, Washington, May 19, 1971

  Source: The Haldeman Diaries: Multimedia Edition. “P” is the President and “K” is Kissinger.

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

Persian Gulf States

• 98. Memorandum From Harold Saunders and Rosemary Neaher of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), Washington, May 19, 1971

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 647, Country Files, Middle East, General, Vol. VIII. Secret. Sent for information.

Vol. XXXII, SALT I, 1969-1972

From Stalemate to Breakthrough, August 24, 1970-May 20, 1971

• 157. Memorandum of Conversation, Washington, May 19, 1971

  Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 383, ACDA Files: FRC 383–97–0010, Box 2, Director’s Files, Smith/Farley Files, Chronological File, Farley Correspondence, SALT, November 1969–August 1971. Secret; Eyes Only. The meeting took place in Kissinger’s office.

• 158. Conversation Among President Nixon, Secretary of Defense Laird, and the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), Washington, May 19, 1971

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, White House Tapes, Oval Office, Conversation No. 501–18. No classification marking. According to the President’s Daily Diary, Nixon met with Laird and Kissinger from 2:10 to 2:56 p.m. (Ibid., White House Central Files) The editor transcribed the portion of the conversation printed here specifically for this volume.

• 159. Conversation Among President Nixon, the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), and the Delegation to the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks, Washington, May 19, 1971

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, White House Tapes, Oval Office, Conversation No. 501–19. No classification marking. According to the President’s Daily Diary, Nixon met with Kissinger and the delegation from 3:09 to 3:45 p.m. (Ibid., White House Central Files) The editor transcribed the portion of the conversation printed here specifically for this volume.

Vol. XXXIX, European Security

MBFR and the Conference on European Security, December 1970-December 1971

• 51. Conversation Among President Nixon, Secretary of Defense Laird, and the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), Washington, May 19, 1971, 2:10-2:56 p.m.

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, White House Tapes, Conversation 501–18. No classification marking. The conversation took place in the Oval Office. The editors transcribed the portions of the tape recording printed here specifically for this volume.

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

Portugal

• 267. Memorandum From Helmut Sonnenfeldt of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), Washington, May 19, 1971

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 701, Country Files—Europe, Portugal, Vol. I. Confidential. Sent for information.

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

Dominican Republic

• 289. Letter From the President of the Dominican Republic (Balaguer) to President Nixon, Santo Domingo, May 19, 1971., Santo Domingo, May 19, 1971

  President Balaguer requested an increase in the Dominican Republic’s special sugar allocation to ensure the country’s economic and political stability.
  
  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 783, Country Files, Latin America, Dominican Republic, Vol. I. The translation of Balaguer’s original letter has no classification marking. President Nixon responded to Balaguer’s letter on June 30, indicating that his request would “be taken into account.” (Ibid.) On July 13, the CIA’s Office of National Estimates (ONE) noted that the U.S. House of Representatives cut the Dominican Republic’s sugar export quota by 25 percent. If the house reduction became law, CIA estimated it would deal a serious blow to the Dominican economy. (Central Intelligence Agency, National Intelligence Office, Job 79–T00918A, LA Staff Notes, LA Staff Note No. 3–71, 1971, Box 3)

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

• 501-1; 8:52 a.m. - 8:53 a.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Haig, Alexander M., Jr.
• 501-2; Unknown between 8:52 a.m. & 8:53 a.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); [Unknown person(s)]
• 501-3; 8:55 a.m. - 9:05 a.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Kissinger, Henry A.; Bull, Stephen B.
• 501-4; 9:05 a.m. - 10:14 a.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Rogers, William P.; Bull, Stephen B.; [Unknown person(s)]; Haldeman, H. R. ("Bob")
• 501-5; Unknown between 10:14 a.m. & 10:22 a.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Bull, Stephen B.
• 501-6; Unknown between 10:14 a.m. & 10:22 a.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); [Unknown person(s)]
• 501-7; 10:22 a.m. - 11:04 a.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Haldeman, H. R. ("Bob"); Bull, Stephen B.; Kissinger, Henry A.
• 501-8; Unknown between 11:04 a.m. & 11:07 a.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); [Unknown person(s)]
• 501-9; 12:00 p.m. - 12:02 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Butterfield, Alexander P.
• 501-10; Unknown between 12:02 p.m. & 12:07 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); [Unknown person(s)]
• 501-11; Unknown between 12:02 p.m. & 12:07 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); [Unknown person(s)]
• 501-12; 12:07 p.m. - 12:28 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Woods, Rose Mary; Kissinger, Henry A.; Haldeman, H. R. ("Bob")
• 501-13; Unknown between 12:28 p.m. & 12:30 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); [Unknown person(s)]
• 501-14; 12:30 p.m. - 1:03 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Haldeman, H. R. ("Bob"); Kissinger, Henry A.; Sanchez, Manolo; Butterfield, Alexander P.
• 501-15; Unknown between 1:03 p.m. & 1:14 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Sanchez, Manolo
• 501-16; Unknown between 1:03 p.m. & 2:05 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Haldeman, H. R. ("Bob"); Kissinger, Henry A.; White House operator; Rogers, William P.; Ziegler, Ronald L.
• 501-17; Unknown between 2:05 p.m. & 2:10 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Bull, Stephen B.
• 501-18; 2:10 p.m. - 2:56 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Laird, Melvin R.; Kissinger, Henry A.; Sanchez, Manolo
• 501-19; 3:09 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Kissinger, Henry A.; Smith, Gerard C.; Allison, Royal B. (Gen.); Nitze, Paul J.; Brown, Harold; Thompson, Llewellyn E. ("Tommy"), Jr.; Farley, Philip J.
• 501-20; Unknown between 3:45 p.m. & 3:50 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Bull, Stephen B.
• 501-21; Unknown between 3:45 p.m. & 3:50 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Butterfield, Alexander P.
• 501-22; Unknown between 3:45 p.m. & 3:50 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Bull, Stephen B.
• 501-23; Unknown between 3:45 p.m. & 3:50 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Butterfield, Alexander P.; Bull, Stephen B.
• 501-24; 3:50 p.m. - 4:28 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Kissinger, Henry A.; Butterfield, Alexander P.; Ziegler, Ronald L.; Haldeman, H. R. ("Bob"); Bellmon, Henry L.; Tower, John G.; Hardin, Clifford M.; Whitaker, John C.; MacGregor, Clark; Flanigan, Peter M.
• 501-25; Unknown between 4:28 p.m. & 4:38 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); [Unknown person(s)]
• 501-26; Unknown between 4:28 p.m. & 4:38 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Butterfield, Alexander P.; Bull, Stephen B.
• 501-27; Unknown between 4:28 p.m. & 4:38 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Bull, Stephen B.
• 501-28; Unknown between 4:28 p.m. & 4:38 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Kissinger, Henry A.
• 501-29; 4:38 p.m. - 6:10 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Haldeman, H. R. ("Bob"); Bull, Stephen B.; Kissinger, Henry A.; Scali, John A.; Ziegler, Ronald L.; Rumsfeld, Donald H.; Finch, Robert H.
• 501-30; 6:10 p.m. - 6:16 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Haldeman, H. R. ("Bob"); White House operator; Rogers, William P.
• 501-31; Unknown between 11:56 a.m. & 12:00 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); [Unknown person(s)]

White House Telephone

• 3-62; Unknown between 8:35 a.m. & 8:52 a.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); White House operator
• 3-63; 8:52 a.m. - 8:53 a.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Haig, Alexander M., Jr.
• 3-64; 9:45 a.m. - 9:46 a.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Haldeman, H. R. ("Bob")
• 3-65; 12:24 p.m. - 12:25 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Haldeman, H. R. ("Bob")
• 3-66; Unknown between 1:14 p.m. & 1:18 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); White House operator
• 3-67; 1:18 p.m. - 1:29 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Rogers, William P.
• 3-68; Unknown between 6:10 p.m. & 6:11 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); White House operator; Haldeman, H. R. ("Bob")
• 3-69; 6:11 p.m. - 6:15 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Rogers, William P.
• 3-70; Unknown between 6:16 p.m. & 7:44 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); White House operator
• 3-71; 7:44 p.m. - 7:44 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); White House operator; Kissinger, Henry A.
• 3-72; Unknown between 7:47 p.m. & 7:48 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); White House operator
• 3-73; 7:48 p.m. - 7:50 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Haldeman, H. R. ("Bob")
• 3-74; Unknown between 7:50 p.m. & 7:55 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); White House operator
• 3-75; 7:55 p.m. - 7:56 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Kissinger, Henry A.
• 3-76; Unknown between 7:56 p.m. & 7:58 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); White House operator
• 3-77; 7:58 p.m. - 7:59 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Eisenhower, Julie Nixon

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-6326 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-6326-01A-22A, Close-up portrait of DeVan Shumway. 5/19/1971, Washington, D.C. Executive Office Building. DeVan L. Shumway.
• Frame(s): WHPO-6326-12, Portrait study of DeVan Shumway. 5/19/1971, Washington, D.C. Executive Office Building. DeVan L. Shumway.
• Frame(s): WHPO-6326-19, Portrait study of DeVan Shumway sitting at his desk. 5/19/1971, Washington, D.C. Executive Office Building. DeVan L. Shumway.

Roll WHPO-6327 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-6327-02A-27A, President Nixon addressing the the 46th Annual Convention of the American National Red Cross. 5/19/1971, Washington, D.C. Sheraton Park Hotel. President Nixon, Red Cross officials, attendees.

Roll WHPO-6329 Photographer: Schumaker, Byron | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-6329-01A-25A, President Nixon addressing the the 46th Annual Convention of the American National Red Cross. 5/19/1971, Washington, D.C. Sheraton Park Hotel. President Nixon, Red Cross officials, attendees.

Roll WHPO-6330 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-6330-03A-11A, Pat Nixon attending the Congressional Wives Breakfast. 5/19/1971, Washington, D.C. Shoreham Hotel. Pat Nixon, unidentified women, aide.

Roll WHPO-6331 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-6331-02-33, Pat Nixon with groups of women at the Congressional Wives Breakfast. 5/19/1971, Washington, D.C. Shoreham Hotel. Pat Nixon, unidentified women, aides.
• Frame(s): WHPO-6331-34-36, Pat Nixon standing on the dais at the Congressional Wives Breakfast. 5/19/1971, Washington, D.C. Shoreham Hotel. Pat Nixon, unidentified women, aides.

Roll WHPO-6332 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-6332-02-13, Pat Nixon hosting a reception for the Womens National Republican Club. 5/19/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, Jacqueline Kennedy Garden. Pat Nixon, unidentified women, musicians, staff.

Roll WHPO-6333 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-6333-02A-13A, Pat Nixon hosting a reception for the Womens National Republican Club. 5/19/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, Jacqueline Kennedy Garden. Pat Nixon, unidentified women.

Roll WHPO-6334 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-6334-03A-18A, President Nixon seated informally in the Oval Office during a meeting with John Whitaker, Senator Henry Bellmon, Senator John Tower, Clifford Hardin, and Clark MacGregor discussing drought aid for the Southwest. 5/19/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Clifford Hardin, John Tower, Henry Bellmon, Clark MacGregor, John C. Whitaker.
• Frame(s): WHPO-6334-08, President Nixon sitting with John C. Whitaker, Senator Henry Bellmon, Senator John Tower, Clifford Hardin, and Clark MacGregor discussing drought aid for the Southwest. 5/19/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Clifford Hardin, John Tower, Henry Bellmon, Clark MacGregor, John C. Whitaker.

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.

C - First Lady

• WHCA-SR-C-042
  Remarks by Pat Nixon at a presentation of the Teacher of the Year Award. (5/19/1970, Blue Room, White House)
  
  Runtime: 1:30
  
  Production credits: Audio feed supplied by WHCA; Recorded by RRS (Bob Schroder, WHCA engineer)
  
  Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.

H - White House Staff Member Recordings

• WHCA-SR-H-181
  Press briefing by Ronald Ziegler, Russell Train, Murray Weidenbaum, and Mayo regarding the Economic Message. (5/19/1970, Press Center, White House)
  
  Runtime: 28:00:00
  
  Keywords: Press conferences, news conferences, interviews, media, press secretary
  
  Production credits: Audio feed supplied by WHCA; Recorded by DAS (initials of WHCA engineer)
  
  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-4375
  PBS Special on Violence.
  NBC
  Runtime: 01:20:12
• WHCA-4376
  "The Dick Cavett Show" :Pierre Salinger, Trini Lopez, Germaine Greer.
  NBC
  Runtime: 00:30:39
• WHCA-4380
  Weekly News Summary, Tape II.
  ALL NETWORKS
  Runtime: 1:00
  
  4. Smith/Clark: Mansfield's NATO (N.A.T.O.) proposals. Time Code Start: 07:10. Keywords: N.A.T.O., North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Europe, military, war, defence, defense. Network: ABC.
  
  5. Smith: Black Congressmen demands. Time Code Start: 09:14. Keywords: African Americans, Congress, House of Representatives. Network: ABC.
  
  6. Reynolds: The black mood with Brice Johnson. Time Code Start: 09:56. Keywords: African Americans, public opinions, polls, approval ratings, Gallup poll, Harris poll, psychology. Network: ABC.
  
  7. Smith: Commentary on mass transit. Time Code Start: 13:22. Keywords: public transportation, commuting, rapid transit, ferries, ferry boats, subways, trains, railroads, vehicles, busing, taxis, airlines, airliners, car pools, trolley cars, commuting. Network: ABC.
  
  8. McGee: Supersonic Transport (SST) and troop cutbacks in Europe. Time Code Start: 15:20. Keywords: military, troops, decreases, Europe, Supersonic Transport, SST, Supersonic Transport, SST, aircraft, speed of sound, subsonic airliners, investigations, reports. Network: NBC.
  
  9. McGee/Mackin: Dr. Zinber, President Nixon's advisor on Marijuana. Time Code Start: 16:30. Keywords: medical, advisors, drugs, drug abuse, cannabis, marijuana, pot smoking, addicts, addiction, prevention programs. Network: NBC.
  
  10. McGee/Bureek: Mag. replies to President Nixon comment on American business. Time Code Start: 18:10. Keywords: Presidents, letters, documents, rebuttals. Network: NBC.
  
  11. McGee/Briggs: Harvard, class of 1971. Time Code Start: 19:00. Keywords: colleges, universities, graduations, graduates, commencements. Network: NBC.
  
  12. Cronkite/Mudd/Clingwood: NATO (N.A.T.O.) cutbacks. Time Code Start: 22:56. Keywords: N.A.T.O., North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Europe, military, war, defence, defense. Network: CBS.
  
  13. Cronkite/Schieffer: Indochina war report. Time Code Start: 28:34. Keywords: Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam War. Network: CBS.
  
  14. Sevareid: Commentary on NATO (N.A.T.O.) troop reductions. Time Code Start: 29:50. Keywords: N.A.T.O., North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Europe, military, war, defence, defense. Network: CBS.

• New York Times of May 19, 1971

• AP Images photos from May 19, 1971
• Getty Images photos from May 19, 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.

• May 1971 Broadcast Index

Wikipedia is a free encyclopedia that anyone can edit.

• May 19, 1971