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November 26, 1969

Introduction

This almanac page for Wednesday, November 26, 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: Tuesday, November 25, 1969

Next Date: Thursday, November 27, 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

    • Draft Reform (5 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 1661, November 26, 1969)
      The President's Remarks Upon Signing Bill Providing for Revision of Draft Selection Procedures.

    Announcements

    Executive Orders

    Proclamations

    Acts Approved 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 Melvin R. Laird, Secretary of Defense, and Peter M. Flanigan, Assistant to the President, concerning the draft reform bill.

    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.

    • Having designated REAR Adm. EVAN P. AURAND, U.S. Navy, for commands and other duties determined by the President to be within the contemplation of Title 10, United States Code, Section 5231, I nominate him for appointment to the grade of vice admiral while so serving.

  • 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

    The Intelligence Community and the White House

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

    Commodities and Strategic Materials, 1969-1972

    • 416. Memorandum From the Director of the Office of Emergency Preparedness (Lincoln) to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) , Washington, November 26, 1969

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Subject Files, Box 396, Stockpile. Confidential. Attached to a November 28 memorandum from Lindjord to Haig in which Lindjord highlighted Lincoln’s belief that a materials policy study should be considered in the NSC, since the United States was running out of raw materials and there had been no comprehensive study of the issue since the Paley Commission during the Truman administration (see Foreign Relations, 1952-1954, vol. I, Part 2, p. 857). Lindjord added that Lincoln had also asked the State Department to reconsider its refusal to permit sales of tin from the stockpile.

    Vol. VI, Vietnam, January 1969-July 1970

    Vietnam, January 1969-July 1970

    • 151. Memorandum of Conversation , Washington, November 26, 1969, 6:30 p.m.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 183, Paris Talks/Meetings, Paris Talks, Memos and Miscellaneous, Vol. IV, 12/69–1/70. Secret; Nodis; Paris Meetings. Drafted by Holdridge on December 1. In sending this memorandum to Kissinger on December 1, Holdridge suggested that no distribution be made; Kissinger agreed.

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

    The Rogers Plan

    • 70. Memorandum From Secretary of State Rogers to President Nixon, Washington, November 26, 1969

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 650, Country Files, Middle East, Middle East Negotiations. Secret; Nodis. Attached to a November 28 memorandum from Haig to Saunders that reads: “To keep our bureaucratic skirts clean, we ought to send an info memo to the President on where the subject now stands, with the Secretary’s memorandum to him tabbed in.” On Haig’s memorandum, Saunders wrote by hand: “This was later handled orally with President. No further action.”

    Vol. XXIX, Eastern Europe, 1969-1972

    Romania

    Vol. XXXIV, National Security Policy, 1969-1972

    Chemical and Biological Warfare, Safeguard Phase II, the Draft

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

    U.S. Policy Towards Terrorism, Hijacking of Aircraft, and Attacks on Civil Aviation: Israeli Attack on Beirut Airport and Hijacking of TWA Flight 840, January-December 1969

    • 35. Telegram 7660 from the Embassy in Italy to the Department of State, Rome, November 26, 1969, 1740Z

      According to information from the Italian Foreign Ministry, the TWA Flight 840 three-way exchange had resumed. ICRC Representative Renard told the Italian Ambassador that the Israelis had accepted the Syrian request and would release the 2 pilots plus 11 other Syrians detainees if the Israelis were released in advance.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1967-69, AV 12 US. Secret; Immediate; Exdis

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

    • 157. Telegram 16094 From the Embassy in Thailand to the Department of State, Bankok, November 26, 1969, 1225Z

      The Embassy reported on the Thai Government’s commitment to the eradication of narcotics trafficking and also analyzed the obstacles hindering the Thai effort.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1967-69, INCO DRUGS 17 THAI. Confidential. Repeated to Rangoon and Vientiane.

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

    Nigerian Civil War

  • 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-2496 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2496-, President Nixon speaking to the press corps and signing an act to amend the Military Selective Services Act of 1967 / Draft Lottery Bill. 11/26/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Roosevelt Room. President Nixon, Major General John Russell Blandford, Frank Slatinshek, Roger Kelley, Rep. F. Edward Hebert, Rep. L. Mendel Rivers, Rep. Leslie Arends, Rep. Clark MacGregor, Melvin Laird, press corps.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2496-10A, President Nixon signing an act to amend the Military Selective Services Act of 1967 / Draft Lottery Bill. 11/26/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Roosevelt Room. President Nixon, Major General John Russell Blandford, Frank Slatinshek, Roger Kelley, Rep. F. Edward Hebert, Rep. L. Mendel Rivers, Rep. Leslie Arends, Rep. Clark MacGregor, Melvin Laird, press corps.

    Roll WHPO-2497 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2497-07A/08-33A/34, President Nixon speaking to the press corps and signing the Act to Amend the Military Selective Services Act of 1967 / Draft Lottery Bill. 11/26/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Roosevelt Room. President Nixon, Melvin Laird, Rep. Leslie Arends, Rep. L. Mendel Rivers, Rep. F. Edward Hebert, Rep. Clark MacGregor, Roger Kelley, John Russell Blandford, Frank Slatinshek, press corps members.

    Roll WHPO-2498 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2498-12, Julie Nixon Eisenhower and David Eisenhower looking at a Christmas season Advent calendar. 11/26/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Library. Julie Nixon Eisenhower, David Eisenhower.

  • 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.

    E - Secretary of Defense Briefings

    • WHCA-SR-E-010
      Briefing by Sec. Def. Melvin Laird on HR 14001 in the Roosevelt Room. (11/26/1969, The White House)

      Runtime: 15:00

      Keywords: Draft, draft reform, conscription, military

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

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

    P - Formal Presidential Remarks

    • WHCA-SR-P-691119
      Remarks by President Nixon prior to signing Draft Reform Bill, HR 14001: amendment to Military Services Act of 1967. (11/26/1969, Roosevelt Room, the White House)

      Runtime: 0:03:14

      Keywords: military, conscription, selective service, lottery, laws, Vietnam War, draft reform, draft evasion

      Production credits: Audio feed (probably pool feed) supplied by NBC; Recorded by RRN (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-3539
      CBS Special with Dr. Frank Stanton, president of CBS. Previously noted as Robert Finch, Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare - Per 2004 Vidipax report, footage covers Secretary of State William Rogers and not Finch..
      NET (National Educational Television, PBS)
      Runtime: 00:31:35
    • WHCA-3541
      Weekly News Summary.
      All networks
      Runtime: 00:58:00

      11. Reasoner/Pierpoint/Rowan: White House says My Lai Massacre abhorrent to American conscience; Army Secretary Resor shows Congress photos in closed meeting; Sen. Inoyu, Gerald Ford suggests LBJ administration to blame; false report given to Maj Gen Koster. Time Code Start: 18:28. Keywords: Vietnam War, Lt. Calley, My Lai Massacre, military trials, massacres, war crimes, atrocities, mass murders, civilians deaths, shootings. Network: CBS.

      12. Reasoner/Rather: President Nixon signing ceremony for Draft Bill allows lottery system, 19yr olds drafted 1st, reduced availability from 7 down to 1 year. Time Code Start: 19:47. Keywords: bills, laws, signings, ceremonies, military, conscription, selective service, lottery, laws, Vietnam War, draft reform, draft evasion. Network: CBS.

      13. Brinkley: President Nixon signs Draft Bill allows lottery system, 19 yr olds drafted 1st, reduced availability from 7 down to 1 year, first drawing of birth dates set for Monday. Time Code Start: 22:22. Keywords: military, conscription, selective service, lottery, laws, Vietnam War, draft reform, draft evasion. Network: NBC.

      14. Smith/Reynolds/Jackson: President Nixon signs Draft Bill allows lottery system, 19yr olds drafted 1st, reduced availability from 7 down to 1 year, first drawing of birth dates set for Monday. Time Code Start: 24:23. Keywords: military, conscription, selective service, lottery, laws, Vietnam War, draft reform, draft evasion. Network: ABC.

Context (External Sources)