May 8, 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.

• Proclamation 4052—National Multiple Sclerosis Society Annual Hope Chest Appeal Weeks

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 Saturday, May 8, 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 8, 1971
• Date search for May 8, 1971

All National Archives Units

• Text search for May 8, 1971
• Date search for May 8, 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 08 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. III, Foreign Economic Policy; International Monetary Policy, 1969-1972

International Monetary Policy, 1969-1972

• 152. Paper Prepared in the Department of the Treasury, Washington, May 8, 1971

  Source: Washington National Records Center, Department of the Treasury, Files of Under Secretary Volcker: FRC 56 79 15, 1971 Contingency Planning Papers. Confidential; Eyes Only.

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

Expropriation Policy, 1969-1972

• 153. Memorandum From Acting Secretary of State Irwin to President Nixon, Washington, May 8, 1971

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Agency Files, Box 284, State, Volume XI. Confidential.

Vol. XIII, Soviet Union, October 1970-October 1971

"One of Two Routes": Soviet-American Relations and Kissinger's Secret Trip to China, April 23-July 18, 1971

• 205. Memorandum From Helmut Sonnenfeldt of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), Washington, May 8, 1971

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 715, Country Files, Europe, USSR, Vol. XIII. Secret. Sent for information. In an attached handwritten note, Sonnenfeldt informed Kissinger: “I will be away. Bill Hyland is available to sit in.” According to an attached correspondence profile, Kissinger saw the memorandum.

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

• 228. Telegram From Secretary of State Rogers to the Department of State, Rome, May 8, 1971, 1542Z

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 657, Country Files, Middle East, Middle East Nodis/Cedar/Plus, Vol. II. Secret; Nodis; Cedar. All brackets are in the original except those indicating garbled text and “[Egypt]”, added for clarity.

• 230. Telegram From the Embassy in Italy to the Department of State, Rome, May 8, 1971, 1147Z

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 657, Country Files, Middle East, Middle East Nodis/Cedar/Plus Vol. II. Secret; Immediate; Nodis; Cedar.

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

The Two Yemens

• 183. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Saudi Arabia, Washington, May 8, 1971, 0114Z

  Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 23–9 SYEMEN. Secret; Limdis. Drafted on May 7 by Ransom and Wrampelmeier; cleared in NEA/ARP and EUR/SOV; and approved by Davies. It was repeated to USINT Sanaa and CHUSMTM Dhahran.

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

U.S. Policy Towards International Production and Trafficking in Illegal Drugs

• 189. Memorandum From the President’s Deputy Assistant for National Security Affairs (Haig) to President Nixon, Washington, May 8, 1971

  Haig provided details of a proposal by Secretary of the Treasury Connally to preemptively purchase the Turkish opium crop. Also included is the May 7 memorandum from which Haig derived his information.
  
  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 358, Subject Files, Narcotics III. Secret. Sent for information. On April 27 the President sent Kissinger a memorandum that read: “Moynihan’s idea of buying the entire Turkish opium crop is one that seems intriguing. I realize that there are problems here, but would you have a check made to see what, if anything, could be done. Connally seems to like the idea, provided it does not have other foreign policy implications which would mitigate against it.” (Ibid., Box 341, HAK/President Memoranda,1971)

Vol. E-5, Part 2, Documents on North Africa, 1969-1972

Libya

• 75. Action Memorandum From the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs (Moore) to Secretary of State Rogers, Washington, May 8, 1971

  Moore advised that the Secretary decline to sell Libya the remaining F–5s, but express the Department’s willingness to provide support for those already delivered.
  
  Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, DEF 12–5 LIBYA. Secret. Sent for Action. Rogers initialed the option in the first paragraph “to delay further.” Drafted by Newsom and Blake; and cleared by NEA, PM, and L. The attachment is not printed.

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

• 494-1; Unknown between 9:16 a.m. & 10:05 a.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Bull, Stephen B.
• 494-2; Unknown between 9:16 a.m. & 10:05 a.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Bull, Stephen B.
• 494-3; 10:15 a.m. - 10:32 a.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Washington, Walter E.; Wilson, Jerry V.; Exton, Hugh McClellan; Gleszer, Roland Merrill; Southward, Charles; Dean, John W., III; Ziegler, Ronald L.
• 494-4; 10:33 a.m. - 1:12 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Haldeman, H. R. ("Bob"); Bull, Stephen B.; Ziegler, Ronald L.; Ehrlichman, John D.; White House operator; Mitchell, John N.
• 494-5; Unknown between 1:12 p.m. & 1:35 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); [Unknown person(s)]
• 494-6; Unknown between 1:35 p.m. & 1:40 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Butterfield, Alexander P.
• 494-7; Unknown between 1:50 p.m. & 1:55 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Butterfield, Alexander P.; [Unknown person(s)]
• 494-8; Unknown between 1:55 p.m. & 2:40 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Haldeman, H. R. ("Bob")
• 494-9; Unknown between 1:55 p.m. & 2:40 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Butterfield, Alexander P.

White House Telephone

• 2-124; Unknown between 11:45 a.m. & 11:49 a.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); White House operator
• 2-125; 11:49 a.m. - 11:51 a.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Mitchell, John N.
• 2-126; Unknown between 2:40 p.m. & 6:50 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); White House operator
• 2-127; 6:50 p.m. - 7:05 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Colson, Charles W.
• 2-128; Unknown between 11:45 p.m., 5/8 & 12:16 a.m., 4/7; Nixon, Richard M. (President); White House operator

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-6247 Photographer: Schumaker, Byron | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-6247-, A dinner service place setting featuring Tricia Nixon's china pattern. 5/8/1971, Washington, D.C. President's Dining Room, White House.

Roll WHPO-6248 Photographer: Schumaker, Byron | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-6248-, A dinner service place setting featuring Tricia Nixon's china pattern. 5/8/1971, Washington, D.C. President's Dining Room, White House.

Roll WHPO-6252 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-6252-, Pat Buchanan and his bride, Shelley Scarney, standing at the church entrance and joined by President Nixon and Pat Nixon, after the wedding. 5/8/1971, Washington, D.C. Most Blessed Sacrament Church. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Pat Buchanan, Shelley Scarney, aide.

Roll WHPO-6253 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-6253-, Pat Buchanan and Shelley Scarney after their wedding. 5/8/1971, Washington, D.C. Most Blessed Sacrament Church. Pat Buchanan, Shelley Scarney.

Roll WHPO-6255 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-6255-, President Nixon seated with D.C. Mayor Walter Washington, D.C. Police Chief Jerry Wilson, Army Lt. Gen. H.M. Exton, D.C. National Guard Major Gen. R.M. Gleszer ,and D.C. National Guard Major Gen. Charles Southward, discussing the control of demonstrators. 5/8/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Walter Washington, Jerry Wilson, H.M. Exton, R.M. Gleszer, Charles Southward.
• Frame(s): WHPO-6255-09, President Nixon seated with D.C. Mayor Walter Washington, D.C. Police Chief Jerry Wilson, Army Lt. Gen. H.M. Exton, D.C. National Guard Major Gen. R.M. Gleszer, and D.C. National Guard Major Gen. Charles Southward discussing the control of demonstrators. 5/8/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Walter Washington, Jerry Wilson, H.M. Exton, R.M. Gleszer, Charles Southward.

Roll WHPO-6256 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-6256-, President Nixon seated informally with D.C. Mayor Walter Washington, D.C. Police Chief Jerry Wilson, Army Lt. Gen. H.M. Exton, D.C. National Guard Major Gen. R.M. Gleszer, and D.C. National Guard Major Gen. Charles Southward, discussing the control of demonstrators. 5/8/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Walter Washington, Jerry Wilson, H.M. Exton, R.M. Gleszer, Charles Southward, press corps members.

Roll WHPO-6257 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-6257-, President Nixon receiving a plaque during White House Correspondents' Association Dinner and greeting entertainers afterward. 5/8/1971, Washington, D.C. Sheraton Park Hotel. President Nixon, Arte Johnson, Mrs. Arte Johnson, unidentified man, unidentified entertainers.

Roll WHPO-6258 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-6258-, President Nixon with attendees at White House Correspondent's Association Dinner. 5/8/1971, Washington, D.C. Sheraton Park Hotel. President Nixon, unidentified guests.

Roll WHPO-6260 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-6260-, H.R. Haldeman poses for portraits. 5/8/1971, Washington, D.C. unknown. Haldeman.

Roll WHPO-6261 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-6261-, H.R. Haldeman poses for portraits. 5/8/1971, Washington, D.C. unknown. Haldeman.

Roll WHPO-6262 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-6262-, H.R. Haldeman poses for portraits. 5/8/1971, Washington, D.C. unknown. Haldeman.

Roll WHPO-6263 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-6263-, H.R. Haldeman poses for portraits. 5/8/1971, Washington, D.C. unknown. H.R. Haldeman.
• Frame(s): WHPO-6263-04, Formal portrait of H.R. Haldeman. 5/8/1971, Washington, D.C. unknown. H.R. Haldeman.

Roll WHPO-6264 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-6264-, H.R. Haldeman poses for portraits. 5/8/1971, Washington, D.C. unknown. Haldeman.

Roll WHPO-6265 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-6265-, H.R. Haldeman in his office. 5/8/1971, Washington, D.C. Haldeman's Office, West Wing, White House. Haldeman, unidentified man, possibly Larry Higby ?.

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-710507
  Remarks by President Nixon at the White House Correspondents' Dinner. (5/8/1971, Sheraton Park Hotel, Washington DC)
  
  Runtime: 0:16:34
  
  Production credits: Audio feed supplied by WHCA; Recorded by RDL (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-4359
  "The David Susskind Show", Tape I. a roundtable discussion with seven Vietnam Veterans, hour 1 of 2
  
  Runtime: 01:06:20
• WHCA-4360
  "The David Susskind Show", Tape II. a roundtable discussion with seven Vietnam Veterans, continued - hour 2 of 2 Senators Birch Bayh (D-IN), Harold Hughes (D-IA), Hubert Humphrey (D-MN), Henry Jackson (D-WA), George McGovern (D-SD) and Edmund Muskie (D-ME).
  NBC
  Runtime: 1:00
• WHCA-4367
  Weekly News Summary, Tape I.
  ALL NETWORKS
  Runtime: 01:28:01
  
  14. Brinkley/Goralski: "Win the War" demonstrations. Time Code Start: 31:16. Keywords: demonstrations, rally, protests, protesters, demonstraters, demonstrators, Vietnam War, anti-war. Network: NBC.
  
  15. Mudd/ Kalb: Secretary of State Rogers in Middle East. Time Code Start: 33:38. Keywords: Middle East, Mideast, war, cabinet, advisors, travel, trips. Network: CBS.
  
  16. Mudd/Walker: Reverend McIntyre leads march in Washington, D. C.. Time Code Start: 36:26. Keywords: demonstrations, rally, protests, protesters, demonstraters, demonstrators, Vietnam War, anti-war. Network: CBS.
  
  17. Mudd/Schumacker: President Nixon on the Washington, D. C. demonstrations and the police handling of them. Time Code Start: 38:58. Keywords: Presidents, media, interviews, demonstrations, rally, protesters, demonstraters, students, Vietnam War, anti-war. Network: CBS.
  
  18. Mudd: Mother's Day; President Nixon's thoughts on his mother from White House Press Secretary Ron Ziegler. Time Code Start: 43:52. Keywords: Presidents, families, women, reports. Network: CBS.

• New York Times of May 8, 1971

• AP Images photos from May 8, 1971
• Getty Images photos from May 8, 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 8, 1971