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December 12, 1973

Introduction

This almanac page for Wednesday, December 12, 1973, 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, December 11, 1973

Next Date: Thursday, December 13, 1973

Schedule and Public Documents

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.

  • 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. XXV, Arab-Israeli Crisis and War, 1973

    Arab-Israeli Crisis and War, 1973

    • 386. Memorandum from Secretary of State Kissinger to President Nixon, Washington, December 12, 1973

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 56, President’s Daily Briefing, 16 November–31 December, 1973, President’s Daily Briefs, December 1–December 15, 1973. Top Secret; Sensitive; Contains Codeword. Scowcroft initialed for Kissinger. A stamped notation on the memorandum reads: “The President has seen.”

    Vol. XXXVI, Energy Crisis, 1969-1974

    October 6, 1973-March 22, 1974

    Vol. XXXVIII, Part 1, Foundations of Foreign Policy, 1973-1976

    Foundations of Foreign Policy, 1973-1976

    • 24. Address by Secretary of State Kissinger, London, December 12, 1973

      Source: Department of State Bulletin, December 31, 1973, pp. 777–782. Brackets are in the original. Kissinger delivered his speech to a gathering of the Pilgrims of Great Britain held at the Europa Hotel. Another copy of Kissinger’s address is in the National Archives, RG 59, Policy Planning Council (S/PC), Policy Planning Staff (S/P), Director’s Files (Winston Lord) 1969–77, Lot 77D112, Box 346, DEC 1973.

    Vol. XXXVIII, Part 2, Organization and Management of Foreign Policy; Public Diplomacy, 1973-1976

    Managing the Department of State

    Vol. E-11, Part 1, Documents on Mexico; Central America; and the Caribbean, 1973-1976

    Dominican Republic

    • 332. Telegram 5039 From the Embassy in the Dominican Republic to the Department of State, Santo Domingo, December 12, 1973, 1900Z

      Summary: The Embassy reported on its efforts to encourage the Gulf and Western Americas Corporation to take steps to improve its image in the Dominican Republic, where it was heavily involved in sugar production and in other sectors of the country’s economy.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P750034–0738. Confidential; Exdis. In telegram 5040 from Santo Domingo, December 12, the Embassy reported on a conversation in which Hurwitch urged Gulf and Western Americas president Alvaro Carta to end his company’s political activities in the Dominican Republic, which had included donations to Balaguer’s 1966 and 1970 electoral campaigns and other contributions to the Presidency and the Reformist Party. (Ibid., P840114–1839)

    Vol. E-15, Part 2, Documents on Western Europe, 1973-1976, Second, Revised Edition

    Western Europe Regional, 1973-1976

    • 44. Memorandum From the President’s Deputy Assistant for National Security Affairs (Scowcroft) to President Nixon, Washington, December 12, 1973

      Summary: Scowcroft summarized Kissinger’s address to the NATO Ministerial meeting.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 265, Agency Files, NATO Oct 73–Dec 73, Vol. XVI (2 of 3). Confidential. Sent for information. Attached but not published is Tab A, a paper entitled, “Secretary Kissinger’s Address Before the North Atlantic Council—December 10, 1973.” A stamped notation on the memorandum indicates the President saw it.

  • 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-E1957 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E1957-01A-03A, President Nixon meeting with William Simon, John Sawhill and the Emergency Energy Action Group. 12/12/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, Cabinet Room. President Nixon, William Simon, John Sawhill, Secretary of the Treasury George Shultz, Sec of Agriculture Earl Butz, Sec of Transportation Claude Brinegar, Sec of Interior Rogers C.B. Morton, Sec of Commerce Frederick B. Dent, HUD Secretary James Lynn, Sec of Labor Peter Brennan, Sec of HEW Caspar Weinberger, Bryce Harlow, Counsellor Melvin Laird, Peter Flanigan, Arthur Mendolin, Roy Ash, Russell Train, John Dunlop, Robert Bork Russell Petersen, Herbert Stein, Frank Zarb, William Johnson, Gerald Parsky, Eric Zausner, John Hill, Robert Nipp, Sidney Weintraub, Bart McGarry, Dennis Bakke & WH staff members Maj. Gen. Scowcroft, Ray Price, Noel Koch, Alexander Haig, Richard Fairbanks.

    Roll WHPO-E1959 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E1959-01A-26A, President Nixon meeting with William Simon, John Sawhill and the Emergency Energy Action Group. 12/12/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, Cabinet Room. President Nixon, William Simon, John Sawhill, Secretary of the Treasury George Shultz, Sec of Agriculture Earl Butz, Sec of Transportation Claude Brinegar, Sec of Interior Rogers C.B. Morton, Sec of Commerce Frederick B. Dent, HUD Secretary James Lynn, Sec of Labor Peter Brennan, Sec of HEW Caspar Weinberger, Bryce Harlow, Counsellor Melvin Laird, Peter Flanigan, Arthur Mendolin, Roy Ash, Russell Train, John Dunlop, Robert Bork Russell Petersen, Herbert Stein, Frank Zarb, William Johnson, Gerald Parsky, Eric Zausner, John Hill, Robert Nipp, Sidney Weintraub, Bart McGarry, Dennis Bakke & WH staff members Maj. Gen. Scowcroft, Ray Price, Noel Koch, Alexander Haig, Richard Fairbanks.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E1959-14, President Nixon meeting with William Simon, John Sawhill and the Emergency Energy Action Group. Nixon is seen speaking with William Simon, while two unidentified men stand behind them. 12/12/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, Cabinet Room. President Nixon, William Simon, two unidentified members of the Emergency Energy Action Group.

  • 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.

    K - Informal Presidential Remarks

    • WHCA-SR-K-127
      Photo opportunity-Cabinet Rm. (12/12/1973)

      Runtime: 3:00

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

    S - White House Press Office Briefings (continuation of the L-series)

    • WHCA-SR-S-410
      Press briefing by Senate Minority Leader Hugh Scott (R-PA) and House Minority Leader John Rhodes. (12/12/1973, White House Press Lobby)

      Runtime: 25:50:00

      Keywords: Press conferences, news conferences, interviews, media

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

      Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.
    • WHCA-SR-S-411
      Press briefing by Gerald Warren. (12/12/1973, White House Press Lobby)

      Runtime: 31:40:00

      Keywords: Press conferences, news conferences, interviews, media

      Production credits: Audio feed supplied by WHCA; Recorded by __ (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-6703
      Weekly News Summary, Tape I.
      ALL NETWORKS
      Runtime: 01:33:10

      34. Cronkite: Stern's opinion on the fuel shortage. Time Code Start: 69:52. Keywords: energy crisis, oil crisis, petroleum, oil supply, gasoline, fuel, shortages, rationing, allocations. Network: CBS.

      36. Cronkite/Wagner: Tax board meeting in California on the President's taxes. Time Code Start: 74:38. Keywords: taxes, taxation, revenue. Network: CBS.

      37. Cronkite/Dean: Rockefeller's announcement of his resignation. Time Code Start: 77:32. Keywords: Governors, resignations. Network: CBS.

      38. Cronkite/Graham: Supreme Court's decision on the right of police to search on arrest. Time Code Start: 78:58. Keywords: law officials, judges, justices, courts, trials, investigations, rulings, decisions, schools, money, subsidies, rights, police, arrests, searches, weapons, crime, criminals. Network: CBS.

      39. Cronkite: Gay Raiders get a plug on CBS. Time Code Start: 80:12. Keywords: Presidents, awards, medals, Armed Forces, military, troops, Vietnam War, Vietnam Prisoner of War, raids, rescues, media. Network: CBS.

      40. Smith/Peterson/Geer: William Simon's plan on energy production and conservation; cutbacks in gasoline production. Time Code Start: 81:01. Keywords: cabinet, advisors, petroleum, oil, gasoline, fuel, shortages, rationing, natural resources, energy. Network: ABC.

      41. Smith/Brown: Truckers shutdown still in effect by independent drivers. Time Code Start: 85:23. Keywords: strikes, petroleum, oil, gasoline, fuel, shortages, rationing, laws, protests, speed limitations, trucks, truckers, truck drivers, cargo transportation, hauling, costs, transportation. Network: ABC.

      42. Smith/Zimmerman: President Nixon's tax returns reviewed by Congress. Time Code Start: 87:52. Keywords: Presidents, taxes, taxation, revenue, income taxes, reports, Congressional, House of Representatives, investigations. Network: ABC.

      43. Smith/Clark: Saxbe confirmation hearings for Attorney General with Saxbe and Jarorski. Time Code Start: 89:58. Keywords: Senators, law officials, nominations, investigations, hearings. Network: ABC.
    • WHCA-6704
      Weekly News Summary, Tape II.
      ALL NETWORKS
      Runtime: 1:30

      1. Smith/Kaplow: Secretary of State Kissinger's meeting with British leaders. Time Code Start: 00:00. Keywords: cabinet, advisors, travel, trips, United Kingdom, England, meetings. Network: ABC.

      2. Smith: Commentary as to where are the plans to combat the energy crisis. Time Code Start: 03:49. Keywords: petroleum, oil, gasoline, fuel, shortages, rationing, natural resources. Network: ABC.

      3. Chancellor/Levine: Gasoline cut by 25%; breakdown of fuel priorities. Time Code Start: 05:22. Keywords: energy crisis, oil crisis, petroleum, oil supply, gasoline, fuel, shortages, rationing, allocations. Network: NBC.

      4. Chancellor/Valeriani: Secretary of State Kissinger's calls for a Free World Alliance. Time Code Start: 07:54. Keywords: cabinet, advisors. Network: NBC.

      5. Chancellor/Duke: President Nixon's tax returns investigated by Congress. Time Code Start: 09:52. Keywords: Presidents, taxes, taxation, revenue, income taxes, reports, Congressional, House of Representatives, investigations. Network: NBC.

      6. Chancellor/Stern: White house tapes (audio missing at beginning) with Watergate case Special Prosecutor Jaworski. Time Code Start: 11:59. Keywords: law officials, attorneys, lawyers, bugging, bugs, wiretapping, wire taps, surveillance, spying, recordings, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, scandals. Network: NBC.

      7. Chancellor/McCormick: Saxbe questioned by Senate Confirmation Committee with Watergate case Special Prosecutor Jaworski and Saxbe. Time Code Start: 14:10. Keywords: law officials, attorneys, lawyers, appointments, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals. Network: NBC.

      8. Chancellor: Background on Watergate case Special Prosecutor Jaworski. Time Code Start: 16:26. Keywords: law officials, attorneys, lawyers, appointments, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals. Network: NBC.

      9. Cronkite/Benton: Gasoline cut by 35%, priority list of fuels with Donald O'Hara of National Petrochemical and Refiners Association. Time Code Start: 17:42. Keywords: energy crisis, oil crisis, petroleum, oil supply, gasoline, fuel, shortages, rationing, allocations. Network: CBS.

      10. Cronkite: Secretary of State Kissinger's calls for Free World Alliance to deal with energy. Time Code Start: 20:11. Keywords: cabinet, advisors, fuel, shortages, rationing, natural resources. Network: CBS.

      11. Cronkite/Graham: Saxbe confirmation hearings with Saxbe and Watergate case Special Prosecutor Jaworski. Time Code Start: 22:04. Keywords: law officials, attorneys, lawyers, appointments, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals. Network: CBS.

      12. Sevareid: Commentary on Rockefeller's resignation. Time Code Start: 24:00. Keywords: Governors, resignations. Network: CBS.

Context (External Sources)