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May 8, 1970

Introduction

This almanac page for Friday, May 8, 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: Thursday, May 7, 1970

Next Date: Saturday, May 9, 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 Camp David, Maryland

  • 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.

    News Conferences

    Statements by the President

    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.

    • Press conference of Dr. Hubert Heffner, Deputy Director of the Office of Science and Technology, on the report of the President's Task Force on Science Policy.

    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.

    • The report of the President's Task Force on Science Policy, entitled "Science and Technology: Tools for Progress" (Government Printing Office, 48 pp.), was presented to the President.

  • 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.

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. VI, Vietnam, January 1969-July 1970

    Vietnam, January 1969-July 1970

    • 284. Memorandum of Conversation , Washington, May 8, 1970, 11:45 a.m.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–114, WSAG Minutes, Originals, 1969–1970. Secret; Sensitive. The meeting was held in the White House Situation Room.

    Vol. E-1, Documents on Global Issues, 1969-1972

    Oceans Policy

    • 373. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon, Washington, May 8, 1970

      Kissinger outlined policy alternatives the United States might adopt in international negotiations to determine the extent of national jurisdiction over the continental shelf and the nature of the regime governing seabed use beyond that boundary. Kissinger recommended adopting either the Department of Defense position or the position proposed by Under Secretary of State Richardson.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 382, Subject Files, Seabeds, Volume II, March 1970-December 1970, (2 of 2). Secret. Sent for action. The President initialed his approval of the Richardson position on May 20

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

    Dominican Republic

    Guatemala

    • 337. Memorandum for the Record, Washington, May 8, 1970. , Washington, May 8, 1970

      During its regular weekly meeting with the Department of State, CIA indicated concerns over the possibility of U.S. Government help to President-elect Arana to deal with internal security problems, fearing that the new government would indulge in counter-terror.

      Source: Department of State, INR/IL Historical Files, Latin America General, 1969–70. Secret.

  • 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-3482 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-3482-2A-36A, President Nixon holding 10th televised Presidential News Conference. [Also see 306-PSD-70-1342 (&1345) - sunrise at Lincoln Memorial w/related dup. negs.]. 5/8/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, East Room. President Nixon.

    Roll WHPO-3483 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-3483-02-29, President Nixon holding 10th televised Presidential News Conference. [Also see 306-PSD-70-1342 (&1345) - sunrise at Lincoln Memorial w/related dup. negs.]. 5/8/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, East Room. President Nixon, reporters, unidentified persons.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-3483-13, President Nixon clinching his fists as he speaks at the microhone during the 10th televised Presidential News Conference. Reporters stand nearby. 5/8/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, East Room. President Nixon, reporters, unidentified persons.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-3483-20, President Nixon holding his 10th televised Presidential News Conference. 5/8/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, East Room. President Nixon, reporters, unidentified persons.

    Roll WHPO-3484 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-3484-03A-26A, President Nixon holding 10th televised Presidential News Conference. [Also see 306-PSD-70-1342 (&1345) - sunrise at Lincoln Memorial w/related dup. negs.]. 5/8/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, East Room. President Nixon.

  • 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.

    B - Vice-Presidential (Agnew and Ford)

    • WHCA-SR-B-167
      Remarks at Brigham Young University-Provo, Utah. (5/8/1970)

      Runtime: 59:00:00

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

    H - White House Staff Member Recordings

    • WHCA-SR-H-175
      Press briefing by William Watts, Staff Secretary of the National Security Council. (5/8/1970, Family Theater, White House)

      Runtime: 30:00:00

      Keywords: Press conferences, news conferences, interviews, media

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

      Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.
    • WHCA-SR-H-176
      Press briefing by Gerald Warren and Dr. Hubert Heffner. (5/8/1970, Press Center, White House)

      Runtime: 18:00

      Keywords: Press conferences, news conferences, interviews, media

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

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

    P - Formal Presidential Remarks

    • WHCA-SR-P-700503
      Remarks by President Nixon in a press conference. (5/8/1970)

      Runtime: 32:05:00

      Keywords: Presidential press conferences, presidential news conferences, interviews, media

      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-3709
      "Perspective - 'To Live So Long'". Herbert Klein, Director of White House Communications; John Kerry, spokesman for Vietnam Veterans Against the War, Dean Jones, Dr. Christiaan Barnard.
      Daphne Productions and Roland & Jaffee Productions
      Runtime: 00:32:00
    • WHCA-3710
      The President's Press Conference & Commentary AND NBC Commentary. Herbert Klein, Director of White House Communications; John Kerry, spokesman for Vietnam Veterans Against the War, Dean Jones, Dr. Christiaan Barnard.
      Daphne Productions and Roland & Jaffee Productions
      Runtime: 0:45
    • WHCA-3711
      President Nixon Press Conference & network commentary.
      NBC
      Runtime: 00:59:45
    • WHCA-3712
      Weekly News Summary.
      All networks
      Runtime: 00:58:32

      12. President Nixon at the Pentagon. Time Code Start: 27:20. Keywords: Presidents, travel, Nixon trips, domestic, United States Department of Defense headquarters, Armed Forces. Network: ABC.

      14. President Nixon at the Pentagon. Time Code Start: 29:04. Keywords: Presidents, travel, Nixon trips, domestic, United States Department of Defense headquarters, Armed Forces. Network: ABC.

      17. Rather: Commentary on President Nixon's press conference tonight, Vanderbilt University Chancellor Alexander Heard appointed as special campus adviser; President Nixon may meet with protesters tomorrow. Time Code Start: 32:15. Keywords: Presidents, media, press conferences, news conferences, interviews, campus unrest, demonstrations, rallys, protests, protesters, demonstraters, demonstrators, Vietnam War, anti-war. Network: CBS.

      18. Vice President Agnew on the David Frost Show. Time Code Start: 33:26. Keywords: Vice Presidents, television, shows, celebrities, interviews. Network: CBS.

      19. Demonstrations and Press Conference. Time Code Start: 34:47. Keywords: demonstrations, rally, protests, protesters, demonstraters, demonstrators, Vietnam War, anti-war, media, press conferences, news conferences, interviews. Network: NBC.

      20. Vice President Agnew on the David Frost Show. Time Code Start: 36:57. Keywords: Vice Presidents, television, shows, celebrities, interviews. Network: ABC.

Context (External Sources)