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April 17, 1969

Introduction

This almanac page for Thursday, April 17, 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: Wednesday, April 16, 1969

Next Date: Friday, April 18, 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

    • League of Women Voters of the United States (5 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 567, April 17, 1969)
      Remarks of the President, Mrs. Bruce B. Benson, President of the League, and John W. Gardner, Chairman of the Urban Coalition, at a Reception Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the League.

    Appointments and Nominations

    Proclamations

    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.

    • In ceremonies at the White House, the President accepted credentials from the following new ambassadors: Chief Lenchwe II of Botswana; Kul Shekhar Sharma of Nepal; Ernesto V. Lagdameo of the Philippines; Mothusi Thamsanga Masholugo of Lesotho.
    • The President has accepted the resignation of Wesley A. Pomeroy as an Associate Administrator of the Law Enforcement Assistance Administration of the Department of Justice, to be effective June 1.
    • The President has accepted the resignation of Mrs. Elizabeth S. May as a member of the Board of Directors of the Export-Import Bank of the United States, effective immediately.
    • The President has appointed Richard C. Van Dusen, Under Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, and Edward L. Morgan, Deputy Counsel to the President, as members of the Council of the Administrative Conference of the United States.

    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.

    • CHARLES D. LOOS, of Indiana, to be United States Marshal for the Southern District of Indiana for the term of 4 years, vice Dale C. Stone, resigned.

  • 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

Any selection of archival documents will necessarily be partial. You should use the documents and folders identified below as a starting place, but consult the linked collection finding aids and folder title lists and the collections themselves for context. Many documents to be found this way do not lend themselves to association with specific dates, but are essential to a complete understanding of the material.

  • Selective document listing

    President's Office Files

    The President's Office Files consists of materials drawn together by the Special Files Unit from several administrative subdivisions within the White House Office. It is the handwriting and sensitive papers sent to the Staff Secretary that now comprise much of the President's Office Files. Visit the finding aid to learn more.

    • Annotated News Summaries, Box 28, News Summaries - April 1969 [During this period, the Staff Secretary only removed pages from the News Summaries which contained President Nixon's handwriting, often leaving the document with no date. In addition to the individual document listed below, you should also consult the full folder for the month.]
      • Staff and Department Briefs, April 17, 1969

    President's Personal File

    The President's Personal File is essentially a President's secretary's file, kept by Rose Mary Woods, personal secretary to the President, for two purposes: (1) preserving for posterity a collection of documents particularly close to the President, whether because he dictated or annotated them, or because of the importance of the correspondent or the event concerned and (2) giving appropriate attention–letters of gratitude, invitations to White House social events, and the like–to members and important friends and supporters of the Nixon administration. This generalization does not describe all the varied materials of a file group which is essentially a miscellany, but it does identify the reason for the existence of the file group's core. Visit the finding aid to learn more.

  • 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)
      Thursday, April 17.
      President scratched some of the morning stuff. Didn't come in to office until after League of Women Voters reception. (A real disaster operationally - apparently because we didn't control it. I've now put Ruwe in charge of all White House social functions and overall coordination - should help).

      Met with Kissinger, then received a few Ambassadors. Spent almost all afternoon alone, except for a session with Kissinger. Worked on briefing books for press conference.

      Main thrust elsewhere is on the Korean incident. Building up to first really major decision - whether to retaliate. Kissinger told me after afternoon meeting with President that we would bomb the North Korean airfield at noon on Monday, and move in four carriers, plus a lot of other strength. He's uptight on this - Rogers opposing as usual. Kissinger furious because Rogers doesn't openly oppose, just stalls for time then takes steps to make strike impossible, i.e., refer to UN. Kissinger sidestepped that with astute maneuver via Yost.

      Late this afternoon President called me in - Kissinger there - to set up meeting Saturday morning - clear out everything else. Will make decision then. Later in evening Kissinger called to say President wanted him to brief me and Ehrlichman. I called John in his car on way to make speech and got him back. Got full story - eliminated alternative of bombing Cambodia (Kissinger later did with President, on phone). I spent one and a half hours in Kissinger's office discussing - Ehrlichman left after forty-five minutes.

      Fascinating problem. Only two viable alternatives. Bomb airfield - or not retaliate but continue reconnaissance flights but with fighter cover. Or, of course, do nothing but protest. Argument for bombing is show of real Nixon strength, especially to Soviets. Problems are public and world reaction - and possible danger of opening a Korean ground war or air battle. Will be a very strong move – dangerous - but potentially very productive toward ending Vietnam. Would sure back up Kissinger's earlier conversation this week.

      Also a long political session with Ehrlichman, Harlow, Flanigan, [W], Finch and Mitchell. Lot of problems. Haven't really settled the RNC takeover.

      Later - as I was getting in the shower, Kissinger called to talk about Korea - and make sure he had my opinion accurately. I'm for the strike, but with the caveat that we have to know what we'll do - and be willing to do it - if the North Koreans counterattack South Korea by air, or open up a ground attack. Kissinger says then he would go to nuclear weapons and blow them out completely. We talked over the alternatives again. This is really tough for Kissinger, because the risk level is enormous and he is the principal proponent. He feels strongly that a major show of strength and overreaction for the first time in many years by a United States President would have an enormous effect abroad, and would mobilize great support here. But it would sure lose the doves and might screw up the ABM battle.
    • Handwritten diary entry (JPG)

  • 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

    International Development Policy, 1969-1972

    Commodities and Strategic Materials, 1969-1972

    Vol. XIX, Part 1, Korea, 1969-1972

    North Korean Shootdown of a U.S. Reconnaissance Flight and Contingency Planning, January-November 1969

    Vol. XXI, Chile, 1969-1973

    A "Noisy Democracy": The Decline of Eduardo Frei, January-December 1969

    • 7. Memorandum for the Record , Washington, April 17, 1969

      Source: National Security Council, Nixon Intelligence Files, Subject Files, Chile through 1969, 303 Committee Minutes. Secret; Eyes Only. Copies were sent to Mitchell, Packard, Johnson, and Helms.

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

    U.S.-African Policy

    • 2. Memorandum of Conversation , Washington, April 17, 1969, 4:45 p.m.

      During his meeting with Secretary Rogers, Kenyan Ambassador Nabwera said bilateral relations between the United States and Kenya were excellent, but the United States should formulate an independent policy toward Africa and not follow the lead of other Western powers such as the United Kingdom and France. He also expressed concern about the impression among Africans that the United States was not giving much attention to Africa.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, POL 1 AFR–US. Limited Official Use. Drafted by Terence A. Todman (AF/E) and approved in S. The meeting took place in the Secretaryʼs office.

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

    Costa Rica

    • 169. Telegram 1011 From the Embassy in Costa Rica to the Department of State, April 17, 1969, 2339Z. , April 17, 1969, 2339Z

      A report received by the Embassy described a pledge by Costa Rican President José Figueres to legalize the Costa Rican Communist Party—prohibited under the Costa Rican Constitution, Article 98. Ambassador Boonstra indicated that he personally discussed with Figueres the danger presented by communists. Boonstra indicated that the Embassy planned a “discreet campaign” to oppose the Communist Party’s legalization.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, POL 12 COSTA RICA. Secret; Noforn; Limdis.

    Peru

    • 595. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon, Washington, April 17, 1969. , Washington, April 17, 1969

      President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs Kissinger outlined United States efforts used to pressure Peru economically and argued the impact of the measures on Peru would be limited.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 795, Country Files, Latin America, Peru, IPC, Hickenlooper Amendment, April 1, 1969. Confidential. Sent for information. Nixon wrote on the top right-hand corner of the memorandum, “Keep the heat on and step it up— no compromises.” In the left-hand margin, next to the paragraph that begins, “in addition,” Nixon wrote, “good—cut by 75%.” In the top of the memorandum in an unknown hand is the note,“4/22 HAK sent memo to Sec State on this.” In an April 22 memorandum from Kissinger to Rogers, Kissinger summarized Nixon’s marginalia. (Ibid., RG 59, Deputy Assistant Secretary Subject and Country Files: Lot 73 D 353, Peru-Economic)

  • 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 can be found in the National Archives Catalog.

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-0808 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-0808-, President Nixon addressing a reception for the League of Women Voters on its 50th anniversary. 4/17/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, East Room. President Nixon, League of Women Voters President Mrs. Bruce Benson, John Gardner, Pat Nixon, others.

    Roll WHPO-0809 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-0809-, President Nixon addressing a reception for the League of Women Voters on its 50th anniversary. 4/17/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, East Room. President Nixon, League of Women Voters President Mrs. Bruce Benson, John Gardner, Pat Nixon, others.

    Roll WHPO-0810 Photographer: Schuman | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-0810-, Robert Ellsworth at his desk. 4/17/1969, Washington, D.C. Robert Ellsworth.

    Roll WHPO-0811 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-0811-, John Sears at his desk. 4/17/1969, Washington, D.C. John Sears.

    Roll WHPO-0812 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-0812-03-04, President Nixon receiving the credentials of the ambassador from Botswana. 4/17/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Roosevelt Room and West Portico and Grounds. President Nixon, Ambassadors Chief Lenchwe II of Botswana, Kul Shekhar Sharma of Nepal, Ernesto Lagdameo of the Philippines, Mothusi Thamsanqa Mahologu of Leshotho, unidentified aides.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-0812-05-09, President Nixon walking with aides. 4/17/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Roosevelt Room and West Portico and Grounds. President Nixon, Ambassadors Chief Lenchwe II of Botswana, Kul Shekhar Sharma of Nepal, Ernesto Lagdameo of the Philippines, Mothusi Thamsanqa Mahologu of Leshotho, unidentified aides.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-0812-10-17, President Nixon receiving the credentials of the ambassador from Nepal. 4/17/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Roosevelt Room and West Portico and Grounds. President Nixon, Ambassadors Chief Lenchwe II of Botswana, Kul Shekhar Sharma of Nepal, Ernesto Lagdameo of the Philippines, Mothusi Thamsanqa Mahologu of Leshotho, unidentified aides.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-0812-18-24, President Nixon receiving the credentials of the ambassador from the Philippines. 4/17/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Roosevelt Room and West Portico and Grounds. President Nixon, Ambassadors Chief Lenchwe II of Botswana, Kul Shekhar Sharma of Nepal, Ernesto Lagdameo of the Philippines, Mothusi Thamsanqa Mahologu of Leshotho, unidentified aides.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-0812-25-32, President Nixon receiving the credentials of the ambassador from Lesotho. 4/17/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Roosevelt Room and West Portico and Grounds. President Nixon, Ambassadors Chief Lenchwe II of Botswana, Kul Shekhar Sharma of Nepal, Ernesto Lagdameo of the Philippines, Mothusi Thamsanqa Mahologu of Lesotho, unidentified aides.

    Roll WHPO-0813 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-0813-, President Nixon at the League of Women Voters Reception. 4/17/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, East Room. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Ted Kennedy, John Gardner, Mrs. Bruce Benson, unidentified guests.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-0813-26A, President Nixon shaking hands with Congressman Edward 'Ted" Kennedy in the receiving line at the League of Women Voters Reception. 4/17/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, East Room. President Nixon, Ted Kennedy, unidentified guests.

    Roll WHPO-0814 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-0814-, President Nixon at the League of Women Voters Reception. 4/17/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, East Room. President Nixon, Mrs. Bruce Benson, John Gardner.

    Roll WHPO-0815 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-0815-, President Nixon walking along the West Wing Portico with Massachusetts Senator Edward Brooke and aides. 4/17/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, West Portico. President Nixon, Edward Brooke, unidentified aides.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-0815-04, President Nixon walking along the West Wing Portico with Massachusetts Senator Edward Brooke and aides. 4/17/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, West Portico. President Nixon, Edward Brooke, unidentified aides.

    Roll WHPO-0816 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-0816-02-5, President Nixon accepting the credentials of ambassador from Botswana. 4/17/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Roosevelt Room. President Nixon, Chief Lenchwe II of Botswana, Kul Shekhar Sharma of Nepal, Ernesto Lagdameo of the Philippines, Mothusi Thamsanqa Mahologu of Lesotho, unidentified aides.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-0816-06-10, President Nixon accepting the credentials of ambassador from Nepal. 4/17/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Roosevelt Room. President Nixon, Chief Lenchwe II of Botswana, Kul Shekhar Sharma of Nepal, Ernesto Lagdameo of the Philippines, Mothusi Thamsanqa Mahologu of Lesotho, unidentified aides.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-0816-11-17, President Nixon accepting the credentials of ambassador from Philippines. 4/17/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Roosevelt Room. President Nixon, Chief Lenchwe II of Botswana, Kul Shekhar Sharma of Nepal, Ernesto Lagdameo of the Philippines, Mothusi Thamsanqa Mahologu of Lesotho, unidentified aides.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-0816-20-27, President Nixon accepting the credentials of ambassador from Lesotho. 4/17/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Roosevelt Room. President Nixon, Chief Lenchwe II of Botswana, Kul Shekhar Sharma of Nepal, Ernesto Lagdameo of the Philippines, Mothusi Thamsanqa Mahologu of Lesotho, unidentified aides.

    Roll WHPO-0817 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-0817-02-03, President Nixon accepting the credentials of ambassadors from Botswana. 4/17/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Roosevelt Room. President Nixon, Chief Lenchwe II of Botswana, Kul Shekhar Sharma of Nepal, Ernesto Lagdameo of the Philippines, Mothusi Thamsanqa Mahologu of Lesotho.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-0817-04-07, President Nixon accepting the credentials of ambassadors from Nepal. 4/17/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Roosevelt Room. President Nixon, Chief Lenchwe II of Botswana, Kul Shekhar Sharma of Nepal, Ernesto Lagdameo of the Philippines, Mothusi Thamsanqa Mahologu of Lesotho.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-0817-08-15, President Nixon accepting the credentials of ambassadors from Philippines. 4/17/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Roosevelt Room. President Nixon, Chief Lenchwe II of Botswana, Kul Shekhar Sharma of Nepal, Ernesto Lagdameo of the Philippines, Mothusi Thamsanqa Mahologu of Lesotho.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-0817-16-24, President Nixon accepting the credentials of ambassadors from Lesotho. 4/17/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Roosevelt Room. President Nixon, Chief Lenchwe II of Botswana, Kul Shekhar Sharma of Nepal, Ernesto Lagdameo of the Philippines, Mothusi Thamsanqa Mahologu of Lesotho.

    Roll WHPO-0818 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-0818-02-04, Lucy Winchester with the two smaller presidential dogs. 4/17/1969, Washington, D.C. Lucy Winchester.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-0818-05-10, Major Olive Marsh, General Snyder, Mrs. Harrel and Air Force Colonel Dr. Walter R. Tkach. 4/17/1969, Washington, D.C. Major Olive Marsh, Gen. Snyder, Mrs. Harrel, Col. Dr. Walter R. Tkach.

    Roll WHPO-0819 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-0819-, Tulips blooming in a White House grounds garden. 4/17/1969, 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.

    G - Cabinet Officer Briefings

    • WHCA-SR-G-017
      Briefing by Cabinet members Herb Klein, Daniel P. Moynihan, Secretary George Romney, Secretary George Shultz, Steve Hess, John Veneman, and Mr. Frozer to Board of Governors of the American Jewish Community. (4/17/1969, Indian Treaty Room, Executive Office Building.)

      Runtime: 1:15:00

      Production credits: Audio feed supplied by "WHCA Only"; No WHCA engineer initials listed

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

    P - Formal Presidential Remarks

    • WHCA-SR-P-690411
      Remarks by President Nixon at a Reception Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the League of Women Voters of the United States, with John Gardner, Mrs. Benson. (4/17/1969, East Room at the White House)

      Runtime: 10:12

      Keywords: Vote, voters, voting

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

Context (External Sources)