1. Home
  2. Research
  3. Almanac

December 13, 1973

Introduction

This almanac page for Thursday, December 13, 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: Wednesday, December 12, 1973

Next Date: Friday, December 14, 1973

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.

    Digitized versions can be found at HathiTrust.

  • 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.

  • 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

    Vol. E-11, Part 2, Documents on South America, 1973-1976

    Argentina

    • 11. Telegram 9050 From the Embassy in Argentina to the Department of State, Buenos Aires, December 13, 1973, 1921Z

      Summary: Responding to speculation of a prospective visit by Kissinger to Argentina, the Embassy provided an analysis of key issues in U.S.-Argentine relations. The issues included Cuba, terrorism, investment, civil aviation, narcotics, and the environment.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 769, Country Files, Latin America, Argentina, 1 September 1971–31 December 1973. Confidential; Exdis. Kissinger did not visit Argentina.

    Venezuela

    • 374. Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs (Kubisch) to Acting Secretary of State Rush, Washington, December 13, 1973

      Summary: Kubisch informed Rush that on December 12, COPEI candidate Fernandez conceded defeat to AD candidate Andrés Pérez in the Venezuelan presidential election. Kubsich discussed the significance of Pérez’s electoral victory for United States-Venezuelan relations.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Bureau of Inter-American Affairs, Office of North Coast Affairs, Records Relating to Venezuela, Lot 73D423, 1973 Presidential Elections, Political 14, Venezuela, 1973. Confidential. Drafted by Forrester. Tabs A and B were not attached. In telegram 8948 from Caracas, October 18, McClintock reported that the election would be close and that the United States could live with either the AD or the COPEI candidate. (Ibid., Central Foreign Policy File, [no film number]) In telegram 222224 to Caracas, November 10, the Department observed that it was in the U.S. interest “for December 9 to witness free, orderly, honest exercise in representative democracy followed by peaceful and constitutional turnover of power to whatever leaders people of Venezuela may freely elect to govern them during coming five years.” (Ibid.)

  • 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-E1963 Photographer: KNUDEN | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E1963-02-31, Energy statement. 12/13/1973, Washington, DC Briefing Room, White House.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E1963-15, President Nixon speaking to the press regarding the energy shortage with William E. Simon looking on. 12/13/1973, Washington, DC Briefing Room, White House. President Nixon, William E. Simon.

    Roll WHPO-E1969 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E1969-04A-10A, President Nixon and Pat Nixon seated for dinner in the White House residential dining room, with family members, Arizona Senator Barry Goldwater, Special Consultants Pat Buchanan, Ray Price, Bryce Harlow, Rose Mary Woods and a Mrs. Brooks. 12/13/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, residence area dining room. President Nixon, Barry Goldwater, Ray Price, David Eisenhower, Julie Nixon Eisenhower, Bryce N. Harlow, Mrs. Bryce Harlow, Mary Brooks, Senator Barry M. Goldwater (R-Arizona), Rose Mary Woods, Raymond K. Price, Jr., Patrick J. Buchanan, Special Consultant Mrs. Patrick J. Buchanan, White House receptionist.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E1969-07A, President Nixon and Pat Nixon seated for dinner in the White House residential dining room, with family members, Arizona Senator Barry Goldwater, Special Consultants Pat Buchanan, Ray Price, Bryce Harlow, Rose Mary Woods, and Mrs. Brooks. 12/13/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, residence area dining room. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, David Eisenhower, Julie Nixon Eisenhower, Bryce N. Harlow, Mrs. Bryce Harlow, Mary Brooks, Senator Barry M. Goldwater (R-Arizona), Rose Mary Woods, Raymond K. Price, Jr., Patrick J. Buchanan, Special Consultant, Mrs. Patrick J. Buchanan, White House receptionist.

  • 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-128
      Photo opportunity with William Simon and 19 governors-Cabinet Rm. (12/13/1973)

      Runtime: 5:00

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

    P - Formal Presidential Remarks

    • WHCA-SR-P-731213
      Introduction of WS for sound briefing on energy with WS, RT. (12/13/1973)

      Runtime: 5:15

      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-412
      Press announcement by Gerald Warren. (12/13/1973, White House Press Lobby)

      Runtime: 3:25

      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-413
      Press briefing by William Simon with an introduction by the President. (12/13/1973, [not listed])

      Runtime: 1:18:25

      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-414
      Press briefing by Gerald Warren. (12/13/1973, White House Press Lobby)

      Runtime: 47:07:00

      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-415
      Press briefing by William Simon. (12/13/1973, White House Press Lobby)

      Runtime: 32:12:00

      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-6704
      Weekly News Summary, Tape II.
      ALL NETWORKS
      Runtime: 1:30

      13. Smith/Peterson: The energy crisis and the energy commission's mistake on their gas figures. Time Code Start: 26:59. Keywords: petroleum, oil, gasoline, fuel, shortages, rationing, natural resources. Network: ABC.

      14. Smith: Congress voted to stop money to military for sending oil to Vietnam. Time Code Start: 30:08. Keywords: Vietnam War, military, troops, House of Representatives, voting, funding, finances, decreases, ending, petroleum, oil, shipments. Network: ABC.

      15. Smith: The Arab oil embargo with Yamani, Saudi Arabian Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources (film). Time Code Start: 30:50. Keywords: Arabian, Arabs, Middle East, Mideast, energy, petroleum, drilling, oil supply, oil supplies, embargos. Network: ABC.

      16. Smith/Schoumacher: The lamp or typewriter could not produce the buzz on the White House tapes. Time Code Start: 32:40. Keywords: bugging, bugs, wiretapping, wire taps, surveillance, spying, recordings, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, scandals. Network: ABC.

      17. Smith/Clark: Saxbe nomination hearings. Time Code Start: 34:37. Keywords: Senators, law officials, nominations, investigations, hearings. Network: ABC.

      18. Smith: Commentary on the energy crisis and the Arabs. Time Code Start: 36:48. Keywords: petroleum, oil, gasoline, fuel, shortages, rationing, natural resources, Arabian, Arabs, Middle East, Mideast,. Network: ABC.

      19. Chancellor: The energy proposals from William Simon. Time Code Start: 38:30. Keywords: cabinet, advisors, petroleum, oil, gasoline, fuel, shortages, rationing, natural resources, energy. Network: NBC.

      20. Chancellor/Levine: Only 5% cut in gasoline production instead of 25%. Time Code Start: 39:15. Keywords: energy, petroleum, oil, gasoline, fuel, shortages, rationing, natural resources, energy. Network: NBC.

      21. Chancellor/Stern: First report of the technical experts on the White House tapes to Judge Sirica (Watergate). Time Code Start: 41:20. Keywords: bugging, bugs, wiretapping, wire taps, surveillance, spying, recordings, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, scandals. Network: NBC.

      22. Brinkley's Journal: Commentary on low esteem given to politicians in the public opinion polls. Time Code Start: 43:17. Keywords: politics, elected officials, Senators, Congressmen, public opinions, polls, approval ratings, Gallup poll, Harris poll. Network: NBC.

      23. Chancellor: Why are we in the shape we are in due to the energy crisis and why are no emergency plans made? (special report). Time Code Start: 45:08. Keywords: petroleum, oil, gasoline, fuel, shortages, rationing, natural resources. Network: NBC.

      24. Chancellor/Rather: Energy conservation has worked and rationing may not be necessary. Time Code Start: 52:20. Keywords: fuel, shortages, rationing, natural resources, conserving. Network: CBS.

      25. Cronkite/Benton: Cutback in gasoline production will only be 5% instead of 25%. Time Code Start: 54:40. Keywords: energy, petroleum, oil, gasoline, fuel, shortages, rationing, natural resources, energy. Network: CBS.

      26. Cronkite/Herman: Senate subcommittee hearings on why the energy crisis happened. Time Code Start: 56:48. Keywords: petroleum, oil, gasoline, fuel, shortages, rationing, natural resources. Network: CBS.

      27. Cronkite/Graham: Rose Mary Woods could not be responsible for the gap in White House tapes according to technical experts. Time Code Start: 58:37. Keywords: Presidents, personal secretaries, employees, women, bugging, bugs, wiretapping, wire taps, surveillance, spying, recordings, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, scandals. Network: CBS.

      28. Cronkite/Schieffer: Troop buildup in South Vietnam. Time Code Start: 60:39. Keywords: Vietnam War, troops, increases. Network: CBS.

Context (External Sources)