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April 24, 1970

Introduction

This almanac page for Friday, April 24, 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 23, 1970

Next Date: Saturday, April 25, 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.

    Announcements

    • Housing Credit (6 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 577, April 24, 1970)
      Announcement of Pledges of Commercial Banks, Life Insurance Companies, and Pension Fund Trustees To Increase Commitments for Residential Mortgages.

    Executive Orders

    Memorandums to Federal Agencies

    Proclamations

    Statements by the President

    • Housing Credit (6 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 577, April 24, 1970)
      Statement by the President on Pledges of Commercial Banks, Life Insurance Companies, and Pension Fund Trustees To Increase Commitments for Residential Mortgages.

    Acts Approved by the President

    • H.R. 8654 -- Public Law 91-235
      An Act to provide that, for the purposes of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, individuals who were illegally detained during 1968 by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea shall be treated as serving in a combat zone.

    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 Bruce K. MacLaury, Deputy Under Secretary of the Treasury for Monetary Affairs, on additional pledges of commercial banks, life insurance companies, and pension fund trustees to increase commitments for residential mortgages.

    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 President met at the White House with representatives from the National Growth Policy Conference meeting in Washington on April 23 and 24.
    • Ambassador Roberto Galvez Barnes of Honduras presented his credentials to the President at the White House.
    • Russell W. McFall, chairman of the board and president of Western Union, presented a gold telegraph key to the President. The presentation carried on a tradition that began in 1909 when President Taft opened the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition at Seattle by telegraph and the key he used was given to him.

  • 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

    • 255. Memorandum of Conversation , Washington, April 24, 1970, 10:40 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.

    • 257. Memorandum of Conversation , Washington, April 24, 1970, 4:20 p.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. XXIII, Arab-Israeli Dispute, 1969-1972

    The Cease-Fire Agreement

    • 110. Memorandum of Conversation , Washington, April 24, 1970, 6 p.m.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 606, Country Files, Middle East, Israel, Vol. IV. Secret. Sent for information. Drafted by Saunders on April 25. The meeting was held in Kissinger’s office.

    Vol. XXXIV, National Security Policy, 1969-1972

    The Defense Budget and Safeguard Phase III

    • 140. Notes of Defense Program Review Committee Meeting, Washington, April 24, 1970

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–118, DPRC Minutes, Originals, 1969–1973. No classification marking. In an April 23 memorandum, Lynn informed Kissinger that the meeting’s primary purpose was “to allow you to provide guidance to the DPRC concerning what the President wants from the studies he has directed and the desired schedule for their completion.” (Ibid.) Lynn was referring to studies of strategy, available resources for defense and military commitments, general purpose forces, the U.S. strategic posture, military R&D, and the U.S. East Asia base structure, as formally called for by the President in his April 2 memorandum, Document 136. The DPRC had discussed the first two at its meeting on March 23; see Document 132 and footnote 8 thereto. According to Kissinger’s un-dated talking points for the April 24 meeting, the President desired the studies so as “to avoid the situation he faced during last year’s budget review, where he was asked to make fundamental decisions on the size and composition of the defense budget under extreme time pressure and without a thoughtful analysis to help him.” Notes of the meeting and Kissinger’s talking points are in National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–100, DPRC Meeting, April 24, 1970.

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

    Haiti

    • 388. Memorandum From Viron P. Vaky of the National Security Council to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), Washington, April 24, 1970, 3:30 p.m. , Washington, April 24, 1970, 3:30 p.m.

      National Security Council staff member Vaky reported that the Haitian Coast Guard had revolted against President Duvalier.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–161, NSSMs, NSSM 70 [1 of 4]. Secret. Sent for action. A stamped notation on the memorandum indicates Kissinger saw it. In telegram 062133 from Port-au-Prince, April 24, the Department of State informed the Embassy that Bonhomme had requested air cover from Guantánamo Bay, Cuba. The Department informed Bonhomme that the “U.S. position is it cannot intervene but, as GOH aware, OAS is available as normal resort when member country feels there is a problem of international concern.” (Ibid., RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 23–9)

  • 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-3414 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-3414-02-34, Mrs. Bailey, White House Housekeeper. 4/24/1970, Washington, D.C. White House. Mrs. Bailey.

    Roll WHPO-3415 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-3415-03-15, President Nixon meeting with Congressman Henry P. Smith, III and Conrad Mikulec, President, Rotary Club of Cheektowaga and vice-presidents Knight and Willert. 4/24/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Mr. Mikulec, Mr. Knight, Mr. Willert.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-3415-16-26, President Nixon receiving gold telegraph key from James Gorman and Russell McFall, Western Union, and Edward M. Fauver, Chief of White House Telegraph and Travel Service. 4/24/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Mr. Gorman, Mr. McFall, Mr. Fauver.

    Roll WHPO-3416 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-3416-02-15, President Nixon presented with gold telegraph key by Russell McFall and James J. Gorman of Western Union and Edwin M. Fauver, Chief of White House Telelgraph and Travel Service. 4/24/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Mr. McFall, Mr. Gorman, Mr. Fauver.

    Roll WHPO-3417 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-3417-02-10, President Nixon meeting with National Growth Policy Group. 4/24/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Cabinet Room. President Nixon, Counsellor Moynihan, Agriculture Secretary Hardin.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-3417-11-25, President Nixon receiving diplomatic credentials from Ambassador Robert Galvas of Honduras. 4/24/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Blue Room. President Nixon, Ambassador Galvez.

    Roll WHPO-3418 Photographer: Grove, Andrew | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-3418-03-06, Presidential Assistant John Davies and Mike Lembke of Denmark. Lembke presents a gift of cufflinks for President Nixon. Davies accepts the gift on behalf of President Nixon. 4/24/1970, Washington, D.C. unknown. John Davies, Mike Lembke, Cufflinks, Gift.

    Roll WHPO-3419 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-3419-03A-19A, Judy Agnew at Junior Village. 4/24/1970, Washington, D.C. Junior Village. Judy Agnew.

    Roll WHPO-3420 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-3420-02A-08A, Tea for Finch College Alumnae given by Tricia Nixon. 4/24/1970, Washington, D.C. White House. Tricia 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-066
      4th Annual Sustaining Membership Dinner-State Fair Grounds, Columbia, S.C. (4/24/1970)

      Runtime: 27:03:00

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

    D - First Family

    • WHCA-SR-D-001
      Tricia Nixon's remarks at the Norfolk Civic Clubs luncheon at the Golden Triangle Hotel, Norfolk, Virginia. (4/24/1970, Norfolk, Virginia)

      Runtime: 2:00

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

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

    H - White House Staff Member Recordings

    • WHCA-SR-H-164
      Press briefing by Gerald Warren and Mac Laury on Nixon's statement regarding housing mortgages. (4/24/1970, Press Center, White House)

      Runtime: 50:00:00

      Keywords: Press conferences, news conferences, interviews, media

      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.

  • 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-3690
      Weekly News Summary.
      All networks
      Runtime: 01:03:51

      6. Report on Cambodia. Time Code Start: 12:47. Keywords: Cambodia, Vietnam War. Network: ABC.

      7. President Nixon and Mail Crisis. Time Code Start: 14:24. Keywords: Presidents, speeches, U.S. Postal Service, U.S. Post Office. Network: ABC.

Context (External Sources)