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December 15, 1970

Introduction

This almanac page for Tuesday, December 15, 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: Monday, December 14, 1970

Next Date: Wednesday, December 16, 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

    Appointments and Nominations

    Bill Signings

    Memorandums to Federal Agencies

    • Jobs for Veterans (6 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 1693, December 15, 1970)
      The President's Memorandum for the Heads of Departments and Agencies.

    Acts Approved by the President

    • H.R. 471 -- Public Law 91-550
      An Act to amend section 4 of the Act of May 31, 1933 (48 Stat. 108).
    • H.R. 14213 -- Public Law 91-551
      An Act to amend sections 5580, 5581, and 5582 of the Revised Statutes to provide for additional members of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution and to increase the number of members constituting a quorum.

    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 transmitted to the Senate for advice and consent a protocol amending the convention between the United States and France with respect to taxes on income and property.

    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.

    • ALBERT J. ENGEL, of Michigan, to be a United States District Judge for the Western District of Michigan, vice W. Wallace Kent.
    • ROBERT J. KELLEHER, Of California, to be a United States District Judge for the Central District of California, vice a new position created by P.L. 91-272 approved
    • LEONARD J. SACCIO, of Connecticut, a Foreign Service Officer of Class one, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Colombia.

  • 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.

  • Argued

    Decided

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

    Foreign Assistance Policy, 1969-1972

    Vol. VII, Vietnam, July 1970-January 1972

    Planning and Decisions for Operations in Cambodia and Laos, October 9, 1970-February 7, 1971

    Vol. XX, Southeast Asia, 1969-1972

    Thailand

    • 102. Memorandum of Conversation, Washington, December 15, 1970, noon

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 563, Country Files, Far East, Thailand, Vol. V. Top Secret; Sensitive. Sent for information. Drafted by Holdridge and forwarded to Kissinger on December 17 for approval under cover of an attached memorandum with the notation: “Due to the sensitivity of the subject matter, no further distribution appears warranted.” The meeting was held in Kissinger’s office.

    Vol. XXIX, Eastern Europe, 1969-1972

    Romania

    Vol. XXIX, Eastern Mediterranean, 1969-1972

    Greece

    Vol. XXXIV, National Security Policy, 1969-1972

    The Defense Budget and Safeguard Phase III

    • 164. Memorandum for Record, Washington, December 15, 1970

      Source: National Archives, RG 218, Records of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Records of the Chairman, Admiral Moorer, 334, DPRC. Top Secret; Sensitive.

    Vol. XL, Germany and Berlin, 1969-1972

    Germany and Berlin, 1969-1972

    • 145. Letter From German Chancellor Brandt to President Nixon, Bonn, December 15, 1970

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 753, Presidential Correspondence File, Germany, Chancellor Willy Brandt, May–Dec. 1970. No classification marking. The source text is the official translation from the Department of State, which Eliot forwarded as an attachment to a memorandum to Kissinger on December 18. (Ibid.) The letter was delivered to the White House on December 16; see Document 146. For the original German text, see Dokumente zur Deutschlandpolitik, 1969– 70, pp. 982–83. For the nearly identical version Brandt sent Heath on December 15, see Akten zur Auswärtigen Politik der Bundesrepublik Deutschland, 1970, Vol. 3, pp. 2273–2275. For memoir accounts of the letter to Nixon, see Bahr, Zu meiner Zeit, p. 354; Kissinger, White House Years, p. 800; and Sutterlin and Klein, Berlin, pp. 130–131.

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

    United Kingdom

    • 333. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in the United Kingdom, Washington, December 15, 1970, 0440Z

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Kissinger Office Files, Box 63, Country Files—Europe, British-US Nuclear Matter. Top Secret; Immediate; Exdis; Formerly Restricted Data. Drafted in the White House; cleared in PM (in substance) and EUR (in substance), and approved in S/S–O.

    Vol. E-2, Documents on Arms Control and Nonproliferation, 1969-1972

    Nuclear Test Ban Issues; Peaceful Nuclear Explosions

    • 295. Journal Entry by the Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission (Seaborg), Washington, December 15, 1970

      At a December 15 meeting, Seaborg, Under Secretary of State Irwin, and other officials discussed the proposed aide mémoire to the Soviets protesting the venting of their October 14 nuclear test.

      Source: Journal of Glenn T. Seaborg, vol. 23, pp. 621–622. No classification marking.

  • 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-5288 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-5288-, William F. Cuff, YNCS poses for portraits. 12/15/1970, Washington, D.C. unknown. William F. Cuff.

    Roll WHPO-5289 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-5289-, Darlene Moulds and Herb Klein. 12/15/1970, Washington, D.C. unknown. Darlene Moulds, Herb Klein.

    Roll WHPO-5290 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-5290-, Advisory Committee Meeting. 12/15/1970, Washington, D.C. White House. unidentified group of men.

    Roll WHPO-5291 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-5291-, Table cloth gift presentation to John Davies. 12/15/1970, Washington, D.C. John Davies' office. John Davies, unidentified woman.

    Roll WHPO-5292 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-5292-, President Nixon at the signing ceremony for Blue Lake Bill HR 471, deeding lands to the Taos Pueblo American Indians. Tribal leaders are seated in the front row facing President Nixon. 12/15/1970, Washington, D.C. White House. President Nixon, members of Congress, Taoes Pueblo Delegation, government officials, Bureau of Indian Affairs Officials, National Indfian Leaders, White House staff.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-5292-19, President Nixon signing the Blue Lake Bill HR 471, deeding lands to the Taos Pueblo American Indians. Tribal leaders are seated in the front row facing President Nixon. 12/15/1970, Washington, D.C. White House. President Nixon, members of Congress, Taoes Pueblo Delegation, government officials, Bureau of Indian Affairs Officials, National Indfian Leaders, White House staff.

    Roll WHPO-5293 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-5293-, President Nixonspeaking at signing ceremony for HR 471 Blue Lake Lands (Taos Pueblo). 12/15/1970, Washington, D.C. White House. President Nixon, unidentified guests and attendees.

    Roll WHPO-5294 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-5294-, Gift presentation to Art Sohmer. 12/15/1970, Washington, D.C. White House. Art Sohmer, unidentified guests and attendees.

    Roll WHPO-5295 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-5295-, President Nixon at the signing ceremony for Blue Lake Bill HR 471 deeding lands to the Taos Pueblo American Indians. Tribal leaders are seated in the front row facing President Nixon. 12/15/1970, Washington, D.C. White House,. President Nixon, members of Congress, Taoes Pueblo Delegation, government officials, Bureau of Indian Affairs Officials, National Indfian Leaders, White House staff.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-5295-23, President Nixon at the signing ceremony for Blue Lake Bill HR 471 deeding lands to the Taos Pueblo American Indians. Tribal leaders are seated in the front row facing President Nixon. 12/15/1970, Washington, D.C. White House,. President Nixon, members of Congress, Taoes Pueblo Delegation, government officials, Bureau of Indian Affairs Officials, National Indfian Leaders, White House staff.

    Roll WHPO-5296 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-5296-, President Nixon signing the Blue Lake bill, HR 471, deeding lands to the Taos Pueblo American Indian tribes. Two tribal leaders stand nearby the desk wearing colorful blankets and watching President Nixon sign. 12/15/1970, Washington, D.C. White House. President Nixon, unidentified guests and attendees.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-5296-, President Nixon speaking to attendees at signing ceremony for the Blue Lake bill, HR 471 deeding lands to Taos Pueblo American Indians. 12/15/1970, Washington, D.C. White House. President Nixon, unidentified guests and attendees.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-5296-13, President Nixon signing the Blue Lake bill, HR 471, deeding lands to the Taos Pueblo American Indian tribes. Two tribal leaders stand nearby the desk wearing colorful blankets and watching President Nixon sign. 12/15/1970, Washington, D.C. White House. President Nixon, unidentified guests and attendees.

    Roll WHPO-5297 Photographer: COPY | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-5297-, Portrait of Vice President Agnew. 12/15/1970, Washington, D.C. unknown. Spiro Agnew.

    Roll WHPO-5298 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-5298-, President Nixon speaking at a ceremony marking the fact that American GNP [Gross National Product] had crossed the trillion dollar mark. 12/15/1970, Washington, D.C. Commerce Department Auditorium. President Nixon, Secretary Maurice Stans.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-5298-19, President Nixon speaking at a ceremony marking the fact that American GNP [Gross National Product] had crossed the trillion dollar mark. 12/15/1970, Washington, D.C. Commerce Department Auditorium. President Nixon.

    Roll WHPO-5299 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-5299-, President Nixon speaking at ceremony marking GNP [Gross National Product] trillion dollar mark. 12/15/1970, Washington, D.C. Commerce Department Auditorium. President Nixon.

    Roll WHPO-5300 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-5300-, President Nixon meeting with Allan Drury and Herb Klein. 12/15/1970, Washington, D.C. Oval Office. President Nixon, Allan Drury, Herb Klein, Fred Maroon.

    Roll WHPO-5301 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-5301-02A-03A, Breakfast for GOP leadership. 12/15/1970, Washington, D.C. unknown. unknown.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-5301-08A-13A, President Nixon meeting with Federal Reserve Chairman Dr. Arthur Burns and John Ehrlichman. 12/15/1970, Washington, D.C. Oval Office. President Nixon, Dr. Arthur Burns, John Ehrlichman.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-5301-6A-7A, President Nixon meeting with George Shultz and John Ehrlichman. 12/15/1970, Washington, D.C. Oval Office. President Nixon, George Shultz, John Ehrlichman.

    Roll WHPO-5302 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-5302-, Congressional Open House Reception. 12/15/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, State Floor and Grand Staircase. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Gleeboys Chorus, Chorus Director Donald Thompson, Lucy Winchester, Constance Stuart, Helen Smith, Stephanie Wilson, Penny Adams, Deborah Murray, unidentified guests and staff.

  • 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.

    E - Secretary of Defense Briefings

    • WHCA-SR-E-021
      Press conference by Sec. Def. Melvin Laird. (12/15/1970, Pentagon)

      Runtime: 44:00:00

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

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

    P - Formal Presidential Remarks

    • WHCA-SR-P-701210
      Remarks by President Nixon at Blue Lake bill signing ceremony returning land to Taos Pueblo Indians (H.R. 471 Blue Lake Bill, Public Law 91-550), and by Juan de Jesus Romero (Cacique, Religious Leader) and Paul Bernal (Council Secretary and Interpreter). (12/15/1970, State Dining Room, White House)

      Runtime: 0:17:43

      Keywords: American Indians, Native Americans, tribes, bills, signing ceremonies

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

      Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.
    • WHCA-SR-P-701211
      Remarks by President Nixon at Commerce Department re GNP exceeding 1 trillion dollars. (12/15/1970)

      Runtime: 9:48

      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-4034
      WTOP News - Bill Magruder interview. Bill Magruder interview King Hussein of Jordan.
      ABC
      Runtime: 0:30
    • WHCA-4040
      Weekly News Summary, Tape I.
      All networks
      Runtime: 01:01:30

      16. Smith/Jarriel: GNP and Taos American Indians (Native Americans) tribal leaders at White House to receive land grant.. Time Code Start: 27:10. Keywords: Taos Pueblo, Blue Lake, American Indians, Native Americans, tribes, gross national product, market value, products, goods and services, labor, property, economy, economics, budgets, finances, recession, inflation, money, wages, costs, unemployment, prices. Network: ABC.

      17. Smith/Geer: Supreme Court. Time Code Start: 29:53. Keywords: law officials, judges, justices, courts, trials, investigations, rulings. Network: ABC.

      18. Chancellor: Vietnam bombings and Son Tay (district in Hanoi, Vietnam) comments by Secretary of Defense Laird. Time Code Start: 31:42. Keywords: officials, Cambodia, Vietnam War, bombings, Senate, Senators, investigations, hearings. Network: NBC.

      19. Chancellor/Vanocur: Republican Governors Association at Sun Valley, Idaho. Time Code Start: 34:03. Keywords: Governors, conferences, conventions, meetings, political parties, Republicans, GOP. Network: NBC.

      20. Chancellor: GNP. Time Code Start: 37:09. Keywords: gross national product, market value, products, goods and services, labor, property, economy, economics, budgets, finances, recession, inflation, money, wages, costs, unemployment, prices, reports. Network: NBC.

      21. Cronkite/Schieffer: Secretary of Defense Laird on Vietnam bombings and Son Tay (district in Hanoi, Vietnam). Time Code Start: 38:52. Keywords: cabinet, advisors, military, Cambodia, Vietnam War, bombings, Senate, Senators, investigations, hearings. Network: CBS.

      22. Cronkite: Secretary of Interior Walter Hickel since his firing. Time Code Start: 41:36. Keywords: cabinet, advisors, firings, dismissals. Network: CBS.

      23. Cronkite/Pierpoint: President Nixon's land grant returns Sacred Blue Lake land to Pueblos Taos American Indians (Native Americans) and GNP. Time Code Start: 42:10. Keywords: American Indians, Native Americans, tribes, gross national product, market value, products, goods and services, labor, property, economy, economics, budgets, finances, recession, inflation, money, wages, costs, unemployment, prices, reports. Network: CBS.

Context (External Sources)