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May 23, 1969

Introduction

This almanac page for Friday, May 23, 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: Thursday, May 22, 1969

Next Date: Saturday, May 24, 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

    • University of Minnesota Band (5 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 730, May 23, 1969)
      Remarks of the President, Dr. Malcolm Moos, Soviet Ambassador Anatoly F. Dobrynin, and Ambassador Llewellyn E. Thompson at a Concert in the Rose Garden.

    Appointments and Nominations

    • Department of the Army (5 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 732, May 23, 1969)
      Announcement of Intention To Nominate J. Ronald Fox as Assistant Secretary for Installations and Logistics.

    Awards and Citations

    • Medal of Honor (5 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 732, May 23, 1969)
      Text of Citations of Posthumous Awards to M. Sgt. Charles E. Hosking, Jr., USA, and Sp4c. Don L. Michael, USA.

    Executive Orders

    Letters, Memorandums, Etc.

    • Memorial Day, 1969 (5 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 732, May 23, 1969)
      The President's Message to Members of the Armed Forces.

    Acts Approved by the President

    • H.R. 33 -- Public Law 91-14
      An Act to provide for increased participation by the United States in the International Development Association, and for other purposes.
    • H.R. 8794 -- Public Law 91-15
      An Act to amend the Marine Resources and Engineering Development Act of 1966 to continue the National Council on Marine Resources and Engineering Development, and for other purposes.

    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.

    • Representatives of the American Bar Association met with 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.

    • WARREN E. BURGER, of Minnesota, to be Chief Justice of the United States.
    • LT. GEN. WILLIAM BEEHLER BUNKER, 019402, Army of the United States (major general, United States Army), to be placed on the retired list in the grade of lieutenant general under the provisions of title 10, United States Code, section 3962.
    • The following-named officer under the provisions of title 10, United States Code, section 3066, to be assigned to a position of importance and responsibility designated by the President under subsection (a) of section 3066, in grade as follows: To be Lieutenant General, MAJ. GEN. HENRY AUGUSTINE MILEY, JUNIOR, 022993, Army of the United States (brigadier general, United States Army).

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

    Foreign Assistance Policy, 1969-1972

    • 11. Action Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon, Washington, May 23, 1969

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Agency Files, Box 193, AID, Volume I 1969. Confidential. On May 23 Haig sent Kissinger a memorandum in which this was the first item for Kissinger to discuss with the President that day. (Ibid., Subject Files, Items to Discuss with the President 2/5-7/14/69) Kissinger met with the President at 9:30 a.m. (Ibid., White House Central Files, President’s Daily Diary)

    Vol. XX, Southeast Asia, 1969-1972

    Thailand

    Vol. XXXIV, National Security Policy, 1969-1972

    Parity, Safeguard, and the SS-9 Controversy

    • 28. National Security Study Memorandum 57 , Washington, May 23, 1969

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 365, Subject Files, NSSMs, Nos. 43–103. Confidential. Copies were sent to Secretary of Transportation John A. Volpe, DuBridge, Gerard Smith, and Wheeler.

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

    Western Europe Region and NATO

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

    Chemical and Biological Warfare; Geneva Protocol; Biological Weapons Convention

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

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

    • 22. Telegram 7699 From the Mission to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development to Secretary of State Rogers in New Delhi , Paris, May 23, 1969, 1922Z

      The telegram reported the results of the India consortium meeting, May 22–23.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, AID 9 INDIA. Limited Official Use; Priority. Joint State/AID message. Repeated to the Department of State. The consortium of governments and institutions organized to provide development assistance to India met in Paris, May 22–23, under the chairmanship of the World Bank. The meeting was attended by representatives of Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The International Monetary Fund sent observers.

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

    Guyana

    • 365. Memorandum for the 303 Committee, Washington, May 23, 1969. , Washington, May 23, 1969

      The memorandum contained proposed objectives for U.S. covert aid to Guyana with emphasis given to strengthening Burnham’s People’s National Congress Party. It recommended continuing the same level of secret support.

      Source: National Security Council, NSC Intelligence Files, Country Files, Guyana, 23 May 1969–6 February 1973. Secret; Eyes Only. A handwritten note at the bottom of the first page reads, “Approved by the 303 Committee on 17 June 1969 with a proviso re additional source of funds (see minute).”

  • 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-1128 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-1128-, Profile closeup Portrait of Henry Kissinger at his desk. 5/23/1969, Washington, D.C. unknown White House location. Henry Kissinger.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1128-, Portrait of Henry Kissinger at his desk. 5/23/1969, Washington, D.C. unknown White House location. Henry Kissinger.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1128-04, Profile closeup Portrait of Henry Kissinger at his desk. 5/23/1969, Washington, D.C. unknown White House location. Henry Kissinger.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1128-07, Profile portrait of Henry Kissinger at his desk. 5/23/1969, Washington, D.C. unknown White House location. Henry Kissinger.

    Roll WHPO-1129 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-1129-, Henry Kissinger in his office. 5/23/1969, Washington, D.C. White House. Henry Kissinger, aides.

    Roll WHPO-1130 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-1130-, President Nixon receives a framed cartoon from Douglas Borgstedt, Editorial Cartoonist for the Philadelphia Bulletin. 5/23/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Douglas Borgstedt.

    Roll WHPO-1131 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-1131-, President Nixon and Pat Nixon attend a Rose Garden concert performance by the University of Minnesota Concert Band Ensemble. 5/23/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Rose Garden. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Band Director Dr. Bencriscutto, Jacob Canter, guests.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1131-16, President Nixon and Pat Nixon seated with (possibly) Jacob Canter, Assistant Secretary of State for Education and Cultural Affairs, while attending a Rose Garden concert performance by the University of Minnesota Concert Band Ensemble. 5/23/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Rose Garden. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, possibly Jacob Canter.

    Roll WHPO-1132 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-1132-, President Nixon and Pat Nixon attending a Rose Garden concert performance by the University of Minnesota Concert Band Ensemble. 5/23/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Rose Garden. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Band Director Dr. Bencriscutto, Jacob Canter, guests.

    Roll WHPO-1133 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-1133-, President Nixon and Pat Nixon attending a Rose Garden concert performance by the University of Minnesota Concert Band Ensemble. 5/23/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Rose Garden. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Band Director Dr. Bencriscutto, Jacob Canter, guests.

    Roll WHPO-1134 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-1134-, President Nixon and unidentified officials standing at a microphone after attending a Rose Garden concert performance by the University of Minnesota Concert Band Ensemble. 5/23/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Rose Garden. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Band Director Dr. Bencriscutto, Jacob Canter, guests.

    Roll WHPO-1135 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-1135-, President Nixon awarding posthumous Medals of Honor to the families of Master Sergeant Charles Hosking and Specialist 4 Don Michael. 5/23/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Hosking family, Michael family , guests.

    Roll WHPO-1136 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-1136-, President Nixon awarding posthumous Medals of Honor to the families of Master Sergeant Charles Hosking and Specialist 4 Don Michael. 5/23/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Hosking family, Michael family , guests.

    Roll WHPO-1137 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-1137-, President Nixon with Joseph Kaplan and Kenneth Rowe. 5/23/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Joseph Kaplan, Kenneth Rowe.

    Roll WHPO-1138 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-1138-, President Nixon with William T. Gossett, President of the Alnerican Bar A ssociation, and other ABA representatives. 5/23/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Rose Garden. President Nixon, John Mitchell, William T. Gossett, Bernard G. Segal, Edward L. Wright, Barnabas f. Sears, William Reece Smith, Jr., Joseph H. Gordon, Kenneth J. Burns, Jr., Bert H. Early, Lawrence e. Walsh, Cloyd LaPorte, Charles A. Horsky, other American Bar Association representatives.

    Roll WHPO-1139 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-1139-, President Nixon with William T. Gossett, President of the Alnerican Bar A ssociation, and other ABA representatives. 5/23/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Rose Garden. President Nixon, John Mitchell, William T. Gossett, Bernard G. Segal, Edward L. Wright, Barnabas f. Sears, William Reece Smith, Jr., Joseph H. Gordon, Kenneth J. Burns, Jr., Bert H. Early, Lawrence E. Walsh, Cloyd LaPorte, Charles A. Horsky, other American Bar Association representatives.

    Roll WHPO-1140 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-1140-, President Nixon and Pat Nixon attending a Rose Garden concert performance by the University of Minnesota Concert Band Ensemble. 5/23/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Rose Garden. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Band Director Dr. Bencriscutto, Jacob Canter, guests.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1140-09, President Nixon and Pat Nixon attending a Rose Garden concert performance by the University of Minnesota Concert Band Ensemble. 5/23/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Rose Garden. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Band Director Dr. Bencriscutto, Jacob Canter, guests.

    Roll WHPO-1141 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-1141-, President Nixon and Pat Nixon attending a Rose Garden concert performance by the University of Minnesota Concert Band Ensemble. 5/23/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Rose Garden. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Band Director Dr. Bencriscutto, Jacob Canter, guests.

    Roll WHPO-1142 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-1142-, President Nixon and Pat Nixon attending a Rose Garden concert performance by the University of Minnesota Concert Band Ensemble. 5/23/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Garden. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Band Director Dr. Bencriscutto, Jacob Canter, guests.

    Roll WHPO-1143 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-1143-05A/06-08A/09, President Nixon standing with Harry Dent and Henry Heyl, President of the National League of Postmasters. 5/23/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Harry Dent, Henry Heyl.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1143-10A/11-12A/13, President Nixon with representatives of the American Bar Association (ABA) in the Cabinet Room. 5/23/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Cabinet Room. President Nixon, John Mitchell, William T. Gossett, Bernard G. Segal, Edward L. Wright, Barnabas f. Sears, William Reece Smith, Jr., Joseph H. Gordon, Kenneth J. Burns, Jr., Bert H. Early, Lawrence E. Walsh, Cloyd LaPorte, Charles A. Horsky, other American Bar Association representatives.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1143-15A-21A, President Nixon with representatives of the American Bar Association (ABA) on the Rose Garden steps. 5/23/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Rose Garden. President Nixon, John Mitchell, William T. Gossett, Bernard G. Segal, Edward L. Wright, Barnabas f. Sears, William Reece Smith, Jr., Joseph H. Gordon, Kenneth J. Burns, Jr., Bert H. Early, Lawrence E. Walsh, Cloyd LaPorte, Charles A. Horsky, other American Bar Association representatives.

    Roll WHPO-1144 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-1144-03A-08A, President Nixon with Henry Heyl, President of the National League of Postmasters. 5/23/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Henry Heyl.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1144-09A-10A, President Nixon with John Mitchell and representatives from the American Bar Association (ABA). 5/23/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Rose Garden steps. President Nixon, John Mitchell, William T. Gossett, Bernard G. Segal, Edward L. Wright, Barnabas f. Sears, William Reece Smith, Jr., Joseph H. Gordon, Kenneth J. Burns, Jr., Bert H. Early, Lawrence E. Walsh, Cloyd LaPorte, Charles A. Horsky, other American Bar Association representatives.

    Roll WHPO-1145 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-1145-, John Davies accepting petitions in favor of a Presidential appointment for a representive from New Jersey. 5/23/1969, Washington, D.C. White House. John Davies, unidentified men.

    Roll WHPO-1146 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-1146-, Petitions to appoint a New Jersey member to something concerning the American Revolution. 5/23/1969, Washington, D.C. unknown White House location. hands of John Davies and an unidentified man.

    Roll WHPO-1149 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-1149-, President Nixon walking across the lawn prior to his departure for Camp David. 5/23/1969, Washington, D.C. White House grounds. President Nixon, unidentified military aide, unidentified men.

    Roll WHPO-1150 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-1150-03-04, President Nixon boarding the Marine One helicopter. 5/23/1969, Washington, D.C. White House grounds. President Nixon, unidentified military aide.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1150-05-36, Tricia Nixon admiring murals painted on a fence around Lafayette Park. 5/23/1969, Washington, D.C. Lafayette Park. Tricia Nixon, crowd.

    Roll WHPO-1151 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-1151-10A-19A,21A-24A, Tricia Nixon at an art exhibit in Lafayette park. 5/23/1969, Washington, D.C. Lafayette Park. Tricia Nixon, crowd members.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1151-14A, Close up portrait of Tricia Nixon at art exhibit. 5/23/1969, Washington, D.C. Lafayette Park. Tricia Nixon.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1151-2A-9A, 25A-33A, Guest at art exhibit in Lafayette Park. 5/23/1969, Washington, D.C. Lafayette Park.

    Roll WHPO-1152 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-1152-, White House Garden Party for Lafayette Park Exhibition artists hostessed by Tricia Nixon. 5/23/1969, Washington, D.C. White House grounds. Tricia Nixon, guests.

    Roll WHPO-1153 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-1153-, White House Garden Party for Lafayette Park Exhibition artists hostessed by Tricia Nixon. 5/23/1969, Washington, D.C. Lafayette Park. Tricia Nixon, crowd.

    Roll WHPO-1154 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-1154-, Tricia Nixon viewing art exhibit at Lafayette Park. 5/23/1969, Washington, D.C. Lafayette Park. Tricia Nixon, crowd.

    Roll WHPO-1155 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-1155-, President Nixon walking to Marine One, helicopter. 5/23/1969, Washington, D.C. White House grounds. President Nixon, unidentified man, unidentified military aide.

    Roll WHPO-1156 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-1156-01-03, President Nixon boarding the Marine One helicopter. 5/23/1969, Washington, D.C. White House grounds. President Nixon, unidentified man, unidentified military aide.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1156-05-16, Marine One helicopter taking off from the White House lawn. 5/23/1969, Washington, D.C. White House grounds.

  • 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.

    J - Entertainment at the White House

    • WHCA-SR-J-103
      University of Minnesota Concert Band [see P-690527]. (5/23/1969, White House Rose Garden)

      Runtime: 0:29:52

      Keywords: Musician, musicians, music, celebrities, performance

      Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original. Technical notes: 4 minutes, 1 second of silence at end of original removed from access copies.

    P - Formal Presidential Remarks

    • WHCA-SR-P-690527
      Remarks by President Nixon at a concert by the University of Minnesota Band, with additional remarks by Jacob Cantor, Dr. Frank Bencriscutto, Dr. Moose, Ambassador Anatoly Dobrynin, Ambassador Llewellyn Thompson [see WHCA SR J-103]. (5/23/1969, Rose Garden at the White House)

      Runtime: 0:50:31

      Production credits: Audio feed supplied by WHCA; Mult (pool) feed by ABC

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

Context (External Sources)