Breadcrumb

April 17, 1970

Introduction

This almanac page for Friday, April 17, 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, April 16, 1970

Next Date: Saturday, April 18, 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 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

    • Apollo 13 (6 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 539, April 17, 1970)
      The President's Remarks Announcing His Plans To Present the Presidential Medal of Freedom to the Astronauts in Hawaii and the Ground Crew in Houston.

    Appointments and Nominations

    Proclamations

    • Apollo 13 (6 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 539, April 17, 1970)
      Proclamation 3979, Designating a National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving, April 17, 1970.

    Statements by the President

    • Apollo 13 (6 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 538, April 17, 1970)
      Statement by the President Following the Safe Return and Splashdown of the Astronauts.

    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 conferences of Michael Collins, Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs, and William A. Anders, Executive Secretary, National Aeronautics and Space Council, on the Apollo 13 flight (2 releases).

    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.

    • A letter from the President was read at memorial services for Merriman Smith, White House Correspondent for United Press International and dean of the White House press corps, who died on Monday, April 13, 1970.
    • The President addressed the closing session of the 1970 Republican National Leadership Conference at the Washington Hilton Hotel.
    • In the fourth of a series of "Evenings at the White House," singers Johnny Cash and his wife, the former June Carter, entertained the President and the First Lady and their guests.
  • 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. IV, Foreign Assistance, International Development, Trade Policies, 1969-1972

    International Development Policy, 1969-1972

    • 133. Memorandum From Secretary of State Rogers to President Nixon, Washington, April 17, 1970

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, S/S Files: Lot 80 D 212, NSSM 45. Confidential. Attached to an April 20 memorandum from Arthur Hartman (S/PC) providing copies to interested State Department offices and informing them that the NSC meeting scheduled for April 21 had been postponed indefinitely. The State Department’s views on the foreign assistance program were not sent to the President until mid-July; see Document 134.

    Vol. VI, Vietnam, January 1969-July 1970

    Vietnam, January 1969-July 1970

    Vol. XX, Southeast Asia, 1969-1972

    Indonesia

    • 288. Memorandum of Conversation , Washington, April 17, 1970

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 559, Country Files, Far East, Southeast Asia, 1970, Vol. II. Secret; Sensitive. The meeting was held in the White House Situation Room. On April 21 Holdridge sent this memorandum to Kissinger who approved it on June 1, with the proviso “Just for our files and my personal ones.” (Attached memorandum from Holdridge to Kissinger, April 21; ibid.)

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

    The Cease-Fire Agreement

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

    Spain

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

    U.S.-North African Policy

    • 9. Analytical Summary , Washington, April 17, 1970

      The memorandum summarized the options paper, entitled “Trends and U.S. Options in North Africa,” produced by the Interdepartmental Group for Africa in response to National Security Study Memorandum 87. This paper examined the present and projected political stability of the four North African nations and the possible influence on U.S. interests in the region, then put forth a strategy for protecting those interests.

      Source: Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Kissinger Papers, Box CL 303, NSC Committees and Panels, Review Group, May 1970. Secret. The entire options paper can be found in National Archives, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H-169, NSSM 87. The trends outlined in this document are discussed in greater detail in NIE 60–70, printed as Document 8.

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

    Nicaragua

    • 492. Telegram 645 From the Embassy in Nicaragua to the Department of State, April 17, 1970, 2246Z. , April 17, 1970, 2246Z

      The Embassy noted that assistance to improve public safety capability of Guardia Nacional was major U.S. Government objective in Nicaragua and requested the assignment of a Public Safety Adviser to Nicaragua.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 1 NIC–US. Limited Official Use. It was repeated to USCINCSO and USCINCSO for POLAD. The CASP enclosed in Airgram A–5 is published as Document 488.

  • 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-3353 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-3353-03A-09A, President Nixon meeting with former astronauts Michael Collins and William Anders along with Henry Kissinger. 4/17/1970, Washington, D.C. White House Oval Office. President Nixon, Michael Collins, William Alison Anders, Ronald Ziegler, Henry Kissinger.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-3353-04A, President Nixon seated at his desk during a meeting with former astronauts Michael Collins (Apollo 11, Gemini 10), standing while holding a space module, and William Anders (Apollo 8) along with Henry Kissinger (seated). 4/17/1970, Washington, D.C. White House Oval Office. President Nixon, Michael Collins, William Alison Anders, Henry Kissinger.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-3353-07A, President Nixon seated in the Oval Office,viewing a map. A gavel is seen at the desk. 4/17/1970, Washington, D.C. White House Oval Office. President Nixon.

    Roll WHPO-3354 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-3354-02-28, President Nixon meeting with former astronauts William Anders and Michael Collins along with Henry Kissinger. 4/17/1970, Washington, D.C. White House Oval Office. President Nixon, William Alison Anders, Michael Collins.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-3354-09, President Nixon seated at his desk (feet on desk) during a meeting with former astronauts Michael Collins (Apollo 11, Gemini 10), standing while holding a model space module, and William Anders (Apollo 8) along with Henry Kissinger (seated). 4/17/1970, Washington, D.C. White House Oval Office. President Nixon, William Alison Anders, Michael Collins, Henry Kissinger.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-3354-20, President Nixon seated at his desk during a meeting with former astronauts Michael Collins (Apollo 11, Gemini 10), standing while holding a model space module, and William Anders (Apollo 8) along with Henry Kissinger (seated). 4/17/1970, Washington, D.C. White House Oval Office. President Nixon, William Alison Anders, Michael Collins, Henry Kissinger.

    Roll WHPO-3355 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-3355-02-28, President Nixon meeting with former astronauts Michael Collins, from the Apollo XI (Apollo 11), and William Anders, of the Apollo VIII (Apollo 8). 4/17/1970, Washington, D.C. White House Oval Office. President Nixon, William Alison Anders, Michael Collins.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-3355-11A, President Nixon seated around a small table, possibly in Deputy Assistant Alexander Butterfield's office, to look at space module models during a meeting with former astronauts Michael Collins, from the Apollo XI (Apollo 11) and Gemini 10, and William Anders, of the Apollo VIII (Apollo 8). 4/17/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, possibly Alexander Butterfield's office. President Nixon, William Alison Anders, Michael Collins, Ronald Ziegler.

    Roll WHPO-3356 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-3356-02-10, Herbert Klein, Director of Communications for the Executive Branch with Public Relations Representatives. 4/17/1970, Washington, D.C. White House Oval Office. Herb Klein.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-3356-03, Herbert Klein, Director of Communications for the Executive Branch with Public Relations Representatives. 4/17/1970, Washington, D.C. White House Oval Office.

    Roll WHPO-3357 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-3357-01-04, No negatives - contact sheet only., An oil painting of Martha Washington. 4/17/1970, Washington, D.C. White House East Room. none.

    Roll WHPO-3358 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-3358-01-04, Pat Nixon portrait closeup, against blue background, wearing a white dress with a black or Navy Blue Bow. See also: C1510 for same portrait with original bookcase background taken 7/9/1969. 4/17/1970, Washington, D.C. unknown. Pat Nixon.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-3358-03, Pat Nixon portrait closeup, against blue background, wearing a white dress with a black or Navy Blue Bow. See also: C1510 for same portrait with original bookcase background taken 7/9/1969. 4/17/1970, Washington, D.C. unknown. Pat Nixon.

    Roll WHPO-3359 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-3359-02-26, President Nixon, Former astronauts Michael Collins from the Apollo XI (Apollo 11) mission, William Anders of the Apollo 8 mission, and Henry Kissinger watch the Apollo 13 Splash Down broadcast on television. 4/17/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, possibly in Alexander Butterfield's office. President Nixon, Henry Kissinger, William Alison Anders, Michael Collins.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-3359-07A, President Nixon, Former astronauts Michael Collins from the Apollo XI (Apollo 11) mission, William Anders of the Apollo 8 mission, and Henry Kissinger watch the Apollo 13 Splash Down broadcast on television. 4/17/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, possibly in Alexander Butterfield's office. President Nixon, Henry Kissinger, William Alison Anders, Michael Collins.

    Roll WHPO-3360 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-3360-02-04, John Davies accepting a presentation from two unidentified individuals. 4/17/1970, Washington, D.C. White House South Lawn. John Davies.

    Roll WHPO-3361 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-3361-05-34, Clean up of debris and pollution in the Potomac River. 4/17/1970, Washington, D.C. Potomac River. unknown.

    Roll WHPO-3362 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-3362-, PRESS BRIEFING ON THE TRIP. 4/17/1970, unk. unk. unk.

    Roll WHPO-3363 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-3363-02-14, President Nixon briefs Press on trip to Hawaii. 4/17/1970, Washington, D.C. White House Press Room. President Nixon.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-3363-06, Ron Ziegler briefs the press on trip to Hawaii. 4/17/1970, Washington, D.C. White House Press Room.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-3363-14, President Nixon briefs the press on trip to Hawaii. 4/17/1970, Washington, D.C. White House Press Room. President Nixon.

    Roll WHPO-3364 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-3364-2-12, President Nixon briefs Press on trip to Hawaii. 4/17/1970, Washington, D.C. White House Press Room. President Nixon.

    Roll WHPO-3365 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-3365-03-10, Pat Nixon at Goodwill Industries Reception. 4/17/1970, Washington, D.C. White House State Dining Room. Pat Nixon.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-3365-11-12, President Nixon meeting with John Danforth, Missouri Attorney General. 4/17/1970, Washington, D.C. White House Oval Office. President Nixon, John Danforth.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-3365-13-22, President Nixon attending the Republican National Leadership Conference Banquet escorted by Chairman of the Republican National Committee Rogers C. B. Morton. 4/17/1970, Washington, D.C. Washington Hilton Hotel. President Nixon, Rogers C. B. Morton.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-3365-17, President Nixon and Vice President Spiro Agnew waving to the crowd during the Republican National Leadership Conference Banquet while standing on stage with Chairman of the Republican National Committee Rogers C. B. Morton. The banner above the US flag reads: "Together we can!". 4/17/1970, Washington, D.C. Washington Hilton Hotel. President Nixon, Spiro Agnew, Rogers C. B. Morton.

    Roll WHPO-3366 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-3366-02A-26A, President Nixon and Pat Nixon host an "Evening at White House" featuring singers Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash and their band. 4/17/1970, Washington, D.C. White House East Room. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Johnny Cash, June Carter Cash (Mrs. Johnny Cash), unidentified musicians and singers.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-3366-09A, President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Johnny Cash, June Carter Cash, and members of their band pose for a group portrait in the East Room after their performance during an Evening at the White House. 4/17/1970, Washington, D.C. White House East Room. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Johnny Cash, June Carter Cash (Mrs. Johnny Cash), unidentified musicians and singers.

    Roll WHPO-3367 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-3367-04-14, President Nixon and Pat Nixon with singer Johnny Cash and wife June Carter Cash, after their White House East Room concert performance. 4/17/1970, Washington, D.C. White House East Room. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Johnny Cash, June Cash, band members.

    Roll WHPO-3368 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-3368-04-12, President Nixon attending the Republican National Leadership Conference Banquet escorted by Chairman of the Republican National Committee Rogers C. B. Morton. 4/17/1970, Washington, D.C. Washington Hilton Hotel. President Nixon, Mr. Morton.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-3368-07, President Nixon waving at the podium during the Republican National Leadership Conference Banquet. Chairman of the Republican National Committee Rogers C. B. Morton and Vice President Spiro Agnew stand nearby. 4/17/1970, Washington, D.C. Washington Hilton Hotel. President Nixon, Spiro Agnew, Rogers C. B. Morton.

    Roll WHPO-3369 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-3369-02-06, Vice President Agnew attending the Apollo 13 launch at Cape Canaveral. 4/17/1970, unknown unknown. Spiro Agnew.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-3369-07-14, Executive Office Building. 4/17/1970, Washington, D.C. E. O. B. none.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-3369-15-21, White House Gift Unit. 4/17/1970, Washington, D.C. White House. none.

    Roll WHPO-3370 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-3370-00-16, Nixon family dogs at the White House. King Timahoe with Vicki, the Poodle, playing in a White House water fountain. 4/17/1970, unknown White House, South Lawn. King Timahoe, Vicky the Poodle.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-3370-08, Nixon family dogs at the White House: King Timahoe, the Nixon family Irish Setter, playing in a White House water fountain. 4/17/1970, unknown White House, South Lawn. King Timahoe.
  • 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-064
      Remarks to the National Republican Women's Convention-Wash. Hilton Hotel. (4/17/1970)

      Runtime: 1:29

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

    H - White House Staff Member Recordings

    • WHCA-SR-H-159
      Press briefing by Ronald Ziegler, Michael Collins, and William Anders. (4/17/1970, Press Center, White House)

      Runtime: 20:00

      Keywords: Press conferences, news conferences, interviews, media, press secretary, NASA, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, space program, astronauts, Apollo

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

      Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.
    • WHCA-SR-H-160
      Press briefing by Ronald Ziegler and Michael Collins concerning the Apollo 13 space flight and splash down. (4/17/1970, Press Lobby, White House)

      Runtime: 0:20:17

      Keywords: NASA, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, space program, astronauts, Press conferences, news conferences, interviews, media, press secretary, Apollo

      Production credits: Audio feed supplied by WHCA; Recorded by RRS (Bob Schroder, WHCA engineer)

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

    J - Entertainment at the White House

    • WHCA-SR-J-124
      Johnny Cash performance for the Evening at the White House concert series. (4/17/1970, East Room, White House)

      Runtime: 1: 00:37:28, 2:00:18:46

      Keywords: Musician, musicians, music, celebrities, performance, country Western Music, Country music, American popular music

      Production credits: No feed information listed; 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-700415
      Remarks by President Nixon in a telephone conversation with Apollo 13 astronauts on their return to Earth. (4/17/1970)

      Runtime: 0:04:08

      Keywords: NASA, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, space program, astronauts

      Production credits: No feed information listed; Recorded by JAP (initials of WHCA engineer)

      Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.
    • WHCA-SR-P-700416
      Remarks by President Nixon to press after Apollo 13 splashdown. (4/17/1970, White House Press Lobby)

      Runtime: 0:03:04

      Keywords: NASA, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, space program, astronauts

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

      Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.
    • WHCA-SR-P-700417
      Remarks by President Nixon to Republican Women's Convention at Washington Hilton. (4/17/1970)

      Runtime: 8:33

      Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.
    • WHCA-SR-P-700418
      Remarks by President Nixon introducing after dinner entertainment followed by a performance by Johnny Cash, June Carter Cash, Mother Maybelle and the Carter Family, Carl Perkins, the Statler Brothers and the Tennessee Three. [see J-124]. (4/17/1970, East Room, White House)

      Runtime: 00:46:13/00:25:43

      Keywords: Musician, musicians, music, celebrities, Country Western Music, Country music, American popular music

      Production credits: Audio feed recorded by WHCA

      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-3681
      Weekly News Summary.
      All networks
      Runtime: 00:30:00

      12. President Nixon speaks of Apollo 13. Time Code Start: 17:44. Keywords: Presidents, speeches, NASA, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, space, space program, astronauts, moon, flights. Network: CBS.

      13. President Nixon speaks of Apollo 13. Time Code Start: 19:21. Keywords: Presidents, speeches, NASA, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, space, space program, astronauts, moon, flights. Network: NBC.

      14. President Nixon speaks of Apollo 13. Time Code Start: 21:11. Keywords: Presidents, speeches, NASA, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, space, space program, astronauts, moon, flights. Network: NBC.

Context (External Sources)