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May 21, 1970

Introduction

This almanac page for Thursday, May 21, 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: Wednesday, May 20, 1970

Next Date: Friday, May 22, 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 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.

    Announcements

    • Presidential Scholars (6 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 672, May 21, 1970)
      Announcement of the Selection of 119 Students as Presidential Scholars of 1970.

    Appointments and Nominations

    Congress, Communications to

    • School Desegregation (6 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 666, May 21, 1970)
      The President's Message to the Congress Proposing Enactment of the Emergency School Aid Act of 1970.

    Resignations and Retirements

    • International Atomic Energy Agency (6 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 671, May 21, 1970)
      Announcement of Retirement of Ambassador Henry DeWolf Smyth as United States Representative.

    Acts Approved by the President

    • H.R. 14465 -- Public Law 91-258
      An Act to provide for the expansion and improvement of the Nation's airport and airway system, for the imposition of airport and airway user charges, and for other purposes.
    • H.R. 9477 -- Public Law 91-259
      An Act to provide for the disposition of judgment funds of the Confederated Tribes of the Unatilla Indian Reservation.
    • H.R. 10106 -- Public Law 91-262
      An Act to amend title 38, United States Code, to revise the definition of the term "child" to recognize an adopted child of a veteran as a dependent from the date of Issuance of an interlocutory decree, to increase the rates of dependency and indemnity compensation payable to dependent children of deceased veterans, and for other purposes.
    • H.R. 15694 -- Public Law 91-261
      An Act to authorize appropriations for procurement of vessels and aircraft and construction of shore and offshore establishnents for the Coast Guard.
    • S.J. Res. 199 -- Public Law 91-260
      Joint Resolution to further amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.

    Checklist of White House Press Releases

    The releases listed below, made public by the Office of the White House Press Secretary during the period covered by this issue, are not included in the issue.

    • Summary of H.R. 14465 providing for airport and airway planning and development.

    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.

    • Bernard Lasker, Chairman of the New York Stock Exchange, met with the President at the White House.
    • Representatives of the American Bar Association met with the President at the White House.
    • The President today announced the appointment of Col. Gustav L. Seligmann, USA (Ret.), of Las Cruces, N. Mex., as the Federal Representative to the Arkansas River Compact Administration.

    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.

    • The following-named persons to be Members of the Federal Farm Credit Board, Fam Credit Administration, for the terms Indicated: For the remainder of the term of 6 years expiring March 31, 1971: ERNEST G. SPIVEY, of Mississippi, vice R. Watkins Greene, deceased. For terms expiring March 31, 1976: KENNETH N. PROBASCO, of Ohio, vice Marion A. Clawson, term expired. E. O. SCHUHART II, of Texas, vice David Gordon Gault, term expired.

  • 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.

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

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. VI, Vietnam, January 1969-July 1970

    Vietnam, January 1969-July 1970

    • 301. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Cambodia, Washington, May 21, 1970, 2051Z

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 27 CAMB/KHMER. Top Secret; Nodis; Khmer; Priority. Also sent to Saigon, CINCPAC, and MACV and repeated to Bangkok. Drafted by Johnson; cleared by Kissinger, Doolin (OSD/ISA), and Eliot; and approved by Rogers. An attached note from Kennedy to Johnson indicates that this telegram was approved by the President.

    Vol. XX, Southeast Asia, 1969-1972

    Thailand

    Indonesia

    Vol. XXIII, Arab-Israeli Dispute, 1969-1972

    The Cease-Fire Agreement

    • 117. Memorandum for the Record, Washington, May 21, 1970

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–111, Senior Review Group, SRG Minutes Originals 1970. Secret; Nodis. Drafted by Saunders. The meeting was held in the White House Situation Room.

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

    Middle East Region

    • 22. Minutes of a Review Group Meeting , Washington, May 21, 1970, 2:35-3:40 p.m.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–111, Senior Review Group, SRG Minutes Originals 1970. Secret. The meeting took place in the White House Situation Room.

    Saudi Arabia

    Vol. XXIX, Eastern Mediterranean, 1969-1972

    Greece

    • 278. Memorandum From the Chairman of the National Security Council Under Secretaries Committee (Richardson) to President Nixon, Washington, May 21, 1970

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 593, Country Files—Middle East, Greece, Vol. I Jan 69–Oct 70. Secret; Nodis. A handwritten notation reads: “Haig—FYI action—Saunders Info—HAK.” The enclosures are attached but not printed here. Enclosure 1, Ambassador Tascaʼs report, is Document 273; Enclosure 2, Papadopoulosʼ letter to President Nixon, is Document 275. Ambassador Tasca was informed of the recommendations of the Under Secretaries Committee in telegram 82138 to Athens, May 28. (National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 593, Country Files, Middle East, Greece, Vol. I) See also Document 277.

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

    Western Europe Region and NATO

    • 39. Minutes of National Security Council Review Group Meeting , Washington, May 21, 1970, 2:35-3:40 p.m.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–111, Senior Review Group, SRG Minutes Originals 1970. Secret. The meeting took place in the White House Situation Room.

    Vol. E-5, Part 1, Documents on Sub-Saharan Africa, 1969-1972

    The Horn

    • 287. National Intelligence Estimate 75/76–70 , Washington, May 21, 1970

      In Ethiopia, the Emperor was restraining dissidents such as students, bureaucrats, and young intellectuals, but a military coup was always a possibility. Kagnew Station was not now directly threatened. Should the Emperor die, the successor government would likely continue to look to the United States as its primary backer. Somalia was unstable, leftist, and susceptible to Soviet influence. Sudan also was leftist, but involved in a civil war. U.S. influence in Somalia and Sudan was minimal. Soviet interest in the area was growing.

      Source: Central Intelligence Agency Files, DDI Files, Job 79R–01012A, Box 391, Folder 2. Secret.

    Vol. E-7, Documents on South Asia, 1969-1972

    India and Pakistan: Pre-Crisis, January 1969-February 1971

    • 60. Memorandum of Conversation , Washington, May 21, 1970, 2:30-3 p.m.

      Ambassador Farland warned Secretary of Defense Laird that Pakistan was disappointed with the U.S. and was turning increasingly to China and the Soviet Union for military supplies.

      Source: Washington National Records Center, OASD/ISA Files, FRC 73 A 1975, Box 22, Pakistan 1970, 000.1–100. Secret. Drafted by Kravitz and approved by Nutter on May 26. The conversation was held in Laird’s office.

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

    Argentina

    • 62. National Intelligence Estimate 91–70, Washington, May 21, 1970. , Washington, May 21, 1970

      This estimate predicted future Argentine economic growth, that Onganía’s Government would continue in power for next two years, and that the nation’s deep social and political tension would persist, and efforts to work closely with the United States would continue.

      Source: Central Intelligence Agency, OCI Files, Job 85–T00875R, NIE. Secret; Controlled Dissem. According to a note on covering sheet, the CIA and the intelligence organizations of the Departments of State and Defense and the NSA participated in the preparation of the estimate. All members of the intelligence board concurred in the estimate on February 13 except the FBI and the Atomic Energy Commission, on the grounds that the subject was outside their jurisdiction. Although the report did not predict Ongonía’s fall which occurred on June 9, Collins in a July 10 memorandum to Abbott Smith stated that the NIE was “basically sound.” (Ibid., Job 79–R0102A, Box 392, Folder 5, Outlook for Argentina. Secret)

    Costa Rica

  • 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-3540 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-3540-04-23, President Nixon with Senator Robert Griffin. 5/21/1970, Washington, D.C. White House Oval Office. President Nixon, Senator Robert P. Griffin.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-3540-08A, President Nixon meeting with Senator Robert Griffin in the Oval Office. 5/21/1970, Washington, D.C. White House Oval Office. President Nixon, Senator Robert P. Griffin.

    Roll WHPO-3541 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-3541-01-09, President Nixon signing Airport-Airways Bill H.R. 14465. 5/21/1970, Washington, D.C. White House Cabinet Room. President Nixon.

    Roll WHPO-3542 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-3542-03A, President Nixon signing Airport-Airways Bill H.R. 14465. 5/21/1970, Washington, D.C. White House Cabinet Room. President Nixon, Winston Prouty, James Pearson, Robert Griffin, Howard Cannon, J. Caleb Boggs, Warren G. Magnuson, Harley Staggers, Samuel Devine, John Byrnes, William Springer, Wilbur Mills, John A. Volpe, Secretary of Transportation James M. Beggs, Under Secretary Charlie Baker, Assistant Secretary Robert Bennett, Director, Congressional Relations John H. Shaffer F. A. A. - Administrator, Paul Cherington, Michael Monroney, H.R. McCune, Charles Ruby, Dwane Wallace, James Carr, Leo Seybold, William Kraham, Kenneth Lyons, John Griner, James Hill, George Kriske.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-3542-03A-11A, President Nixon signing Airport-Airways Bill H.R. 14465. 5/21/1970, Washington, D.C. White House Cabinet Room. President Nixon.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-3542-07A-11A, President Nixon meeting with Bernard Lasker, President of NYSE, Assistants Peter Flanigan and John Ehrlichman and Paul McCracken, Chairman, Council of Economic Advisers (CEA). 5/21/1970, Washington, D.C. White House Oval Office. President Nixon, Bernard Lasker, Peter M. Flanigan, John D. Ehrlichman, Paul McCracken.

    Roll WHPO-3544 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-3544-01A-04A, Alexander Butterfield and the Order of Loyal Americans (George Bell). 5/21/1970, Washington, D.C. White House. Alexander Butterfield, George Bell.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-3544-07A-16A, President Nixon meeting with Governor Evans of the Virgin Islands and Special Counsel Harry Dent. 5/21/1970, Washington, D.C. White House Oval Office. President Nixon, Melvin H. Evans, Harry S. Dent.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-3544-18A-23A, President Nixon meeting with Honorary Hollywood Mayor and Entertainer Johnny Grant of Los Angeles KTLA, and Herb Klein, Director of Communications, Executive Branch. 5/21/1970, Washington, D.C. White House: Oval Office. President Nixon, Johnny Grant, Herbert G. Klein.

    Roll WHPO-3545 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-3545-03-33, President Nixon meeting with Johnny Grant, entertainer, Los Angeles KTLA and Herbert G. Klein, Director of Communications, Executive Branch. 5/21/1970, Washington, D.C. White House Oval Office. President Nixon, Mr. Grant, Mr. Klein.

    Roll WHPO-3546 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-3546-1A-8A, Virginia Knauer, Special Assistant to the President for Consumer Affairs meeting with consumers. 5/21/1970, Washington, D.C. unknown. Mrs. Virginia Knauer.

    Roll WHPO-3547 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-3547-3-18, Julie Nixon-Eisenhower and David Eisenhower with veterans on the Presidential yacht "Sequoia.". 5/21/1970, Washington, D.C. Potomac River. Julie and David Eisenhower.

    Roll WHPO-3548 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-3548-03-10, Julie Nixon-Eisenhower and David Eisenhower with veterans on the Presidential yacht "Sequoia.". 5/21/1970, Washington, D.C. Potomac River. Julie and David Eisenhower.

    Roll WHPO-3549 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-3549-02-36, Julie Nixon Eisenhower and David Eisenhower with military veterans on the Presidential yacht "Sequoia.". 5/21/1970, Washington, D.C. Potomac River. Julie Nixon Eisenhower, David Eisenhower, unidentified veterans.

  • 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.

    H - White House Staff Member Recordings

    • WHCA-SR-H-183
      Briefing by Eugene Cowan of the Congressional Relations Office. (5/21/1970, Family Theater, White House)

      Runtime: 33:00:00

      Keywords: Briefings, private briefings

      Production credits: Audio feed supplied by WHCA; Recorded by BAC (initials of WHCA engineer)

      Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.
    • WHCA-SR-H-184
      Press briefing by Ronald Ziegler, Leonard Garment, Richard Nathan, J. Patrick Coyne on school desegregation. (5/21/1970, Press Center, White House)

      Runtime: 60:00:00

      Keywords: Press conferences, news conferences, interviews, media, press secretary

      Production credits: Audio feed supplied by WHCA; Recorded by JLS (initials of WHCA engineer)

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

    I - Various Administration Events

    • WHCA-SR-I-031
      Press conference by Dr. Allen. (5/21/1970, [None listed])

      Runtime: N/A

      Keywords: Press conferences, news conferences, interviews, media

      Production credits: Audio feed supplied by "N/A"; Recorded by N/A (initials of WHCA engineer)

      Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.
    • WHCA-SR-I-032
      The Agnew Cannonball WTOP-TV by James Kilpatrick. (5/21/1970, [None listed])

      Runtime: 3:00

      Production credits: Audio feed supplied by WHCA; Recorded by WJN (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-3733
      Weekly News Summary.
      ALL NETWORKS
      Runtime: 0:20

      7. Julie Nixon Eisenhower and David Eisenhower on the Presidential Yacht Sequoia. Time Code Start: 13:20. Keywords: Presidents, families, ships, yachts. Network: CBS.

      8. Report on Cambodia. Time Code Start: 15:24. Keywords: Cambodia, Vietnam War. Network: ABC.

Context (External Sources)