1. Home
  2. Research
  3. Almanac

December 19, 1973

Introduction

This almanac page for Wednesday, December 19, 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 18, 1973

Next Date: Thursday, December 20, 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. XXII, Panama, 1973-1976

    Panama, 1973-1976

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

    Arab-Israeli Crisis and War, 1973

    Vol. XXXV, National Security Policy, 1973-1976

    National Security Policy

    • 27. Memorandum of Conversation, Washington, December 19, 1973

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 1027, Memcons—HAK & Presidential, Presidential/HAK Memcons, December 1973 [1 of 2]. Confidential. The meeting was held in the Oval Office from 3:11 to 4:04 p.m. (Ibid., White House Central Files, President’s Daily Diary)

  • 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-E2012 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2012-, Mike Farrell visitors in front of White House. 12/19/1973, Washington, D.C. White House. Mike Farrell visitors.

    Roll WHPO-E2013 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2013-, Candid shots of the Quadriad in Washington, D.C. 12/19/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, Cabinet Room. William E. Simon, George P. Shultz, and other unidentified persons.

    Roll WHPO-E2014 Photographer: Schumaker, Byron | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2014-, President Nixon addresses press on energy situation and Secretary Shultz fields questions. 12/19/1973, Washington, D.C. Press Room, White House. President Nixon, George P. Shultz, William E. Simon.

    Roll WHPO-E2015 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2015-, President Nixon meeting in the Oval office with Nola Smith and Anne Armstrong to discuss recruiting women for executive positions in the Administration. 12/19/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Nola Smith, Staff Assistant, and Anne Armstrong, Counselor.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2015-, President Nixon met with Rabbi Baruch Korff, General Chairman of the National Citizens Committee for Fairness to the President, and members of the committee's executive board. 12/19/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Rabbi Baruch Korff, and members of the committee's executive board.

    Roll WHPO-E2016 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2016-02-10, President Nixon met with Rabbi Baruch Korff and members of the executive board of the National Citizens Committee for Fairness to the Presidency. 12/19/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Rabbi Baruch Korff and members of the executive board of the National Citizens Committee for Fairness to the Presidency (NCCFP).
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2016-12-16, President Nixon met to discuss a program to recruit women for executive positions in the Administration. 12/19/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Nola F. Smith,Staff Assistant, and Anne Armstrong, Counselor.

    Roll WHPO-E2017 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2017-, President Nixon met with members of the Emergency Energy Action Group. 12/19/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, Cabinet Room. President Nixon and members of the Emergency Energy Action Group.

    Roll WHPO-E2018 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2018-, Individual handshake photos with President Nixon greeting Rabbi Baruch Korff and staff of the National Citizens Committee for Fairness to the Presidency. 12/19/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. Rabbi Korff and staff of the National Citizens Committee for Fairness to the Presidency.

    Roll WHPO-E2019 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2019-, President Nixon, flanked by Simon and Shultz, addresses members of the press on the energy situation. 12/19/1973, Washington, D.C. Press Room, White House. President Nixon, William E. Simon, and George P. Shultz.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2019-18, President Nixon addresses members of the press on the energy situation with Bill Simon and George Shultz standing nearby. 12/19/1973, Washington, D.C. Press Room, White House. President Nixon, William E. Simon, and George P. Shultz.

  • 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.

    P - Formal Presidential Remarks

    • WHCA-SR-P-731218
      Photo opportunity with Rabbi Baruch Korff. (12/19/1973)

      Runtime: 2:24

      Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.
    • WHCA-SR-P-731219
      Remarks by President Nixon to press before press briefing on energy with WS, GS. (12/19/1973)

      Runtime: 39:54:00

      Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.
    • WHCA-SR-P-731220
      Remarks by President Nixon at White House staff party. (12/19/1973)

      Runtime: 7:10

      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-420
      Press briefing by Melvin Laird. (12/19/1973, White House Press Lobby)

      Runtime: 45:47:00

      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-421
      Press briefing by Gerald Warren. (12/19/1973, White House Press Lobby)

      Runtime: 54:35:00

      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-6706
      Composite tape of the John Dean's Senate Watergate Hearing testimony highlights. Ann Armstrong.
      Undetermined
      Runtime: 00:12:00
    • WHCA-6710
      Weekly News Summary, Tape I.
      ALL NETWORKS
      Runtime: 1:30

      39. Smith/Tomlinson: Cost of living council raises price of oil. Time Code Start: 72:00. Keywords: economy, economics, budgets, finances, recession, inflation, money, wages, costs, unemployment, prices, petroleum, oil, increases. Network: ABC.

      40. Landay: President Nixon to hold down oil company profits. Time Code Start: 74:02. Keywords: Presidents, statements, energy, petroleum, drilling, oil supply, oil supplies, imports, shortages, corporations, investigations. Network: ABC.

      41. Reasoner/Zimmerman: Possible scandal of private oil companies tapping U.S. Naval reserves in Alaska. Time Code Start: 75:26. Keywords: petroleum, gas, oil, energy, exploration, transportation, crisis, shortages, investigations, crime, business, theft, Armed Forces, Navy,. Network: ABC.

      42. Reasoner/Schoumacher: Possible scandal of oil companies tapping U.S. oil reserves in Elk Hills, California. Time Code Start: 78:06. Keywords: energy, petroleum, drilling, oil supply, oil supplies, imports, shortages, sales, costs, increases. Network: ABC.

      43. Smith/Jarriel: Secretary of Defense Laird resigns and talks about impeachment. Time Code Start: 80:12. Keywords: military, cabinet, advisors, resignations, Presidents, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, impeachment. Network: ABC.

      44. Smith/Schoumacher: Lawyer William Doebovir talks about playing White House tape at party. Time Code Start: 80:19. Keywords: bugging, bugs, wiretapping, wire taps, surveillance, spying, recordings, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals, impeachment, resignations. Network: ABC.

      45. Reasoner/Farmer: Comments surrounding Geneva Peace Conference. Time Code Start: 84:39. Keywords: Middle East, Mideast, Switzerland, Arab Israeli war, peace, truce, treaties, negotiations, conferences. Network: ABC.

      46. Chancellor/Levine: Crude oil prices up with President Nixon and Secretary Shultz. Time Code Start: 87:30. Keywords: Presidents, cabinet, advisors, energy, petroleum, drilling, oil supply, oil supplies, imports, costs, prices. Network: NBC.

      47. Chancellor/Brokaw: Secretary of Defense Laird on film about indictment of President Nixon; President Nixon releases money to Health, Education and Welfare (HEW). Time Code Start: 90:51. Keywords: Presidents, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals, military, cabinet, advisors. Network: NBC.
    • WHCA-6711
      Weekly News Summary, Tape II.
      ALL NETWORKS
      Runtime: 1:30

      1. Chancellor: Executive privilege invoked for Ron Ziegler. Time Code Start: 01:57. Keywords: Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals. Network: NBC.

      2. Chancellor: Events surrounding Geneva Peace Conference. Time Code Start: 02:44. Keywords: Middle East, Mideast, Switzerland, Arab Israeli war, peace, truce, treaties, negotiations, conferences. Network: NBC.

      3. Chancellor/Margolies: Two U.S. Army deserters give up. Time Code Start: 05:37. Keywords: Vietnam Missing in Action, Vietnam War, Armed Forces, military, troops, desertions, surrenders. Network: NBC.

      4. Medd/Benton: Tax on windfall profits in oil; oil crude price up with President Nixon on film; Secretary Shultz. Time Code Start: 07:54. Keywords: petroleum, oil supply, oil supplies, taxes, taxation, revenue, income taxes, reports. Network: CBS.

      5. Mudd/Cronkite: An interview with Charles Bebe Rebozo, President Nixon's longtime friend. Time Code Start: 10:18. Keywords: Presidents, friends, banks, executives, Internal Revenue Service, taxes, audits, investigations. Network: CBS.

      6. Mudd: Senator Ervin announces his retirement. Time Code Start: 17:51. Keywords: Senators, retirement, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, scandals. Network: CBS.

      7. Mudd/Rather: Secretary of Defense Laird is resigning and comments on whether or not Congress should impeach President Nixon. Time Code Start: 19:11. Keywords: military, cabinet, advisors, resignations, Presidents, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, impeachment. Network: CBS.

      8. Mudd/Graham: Attorney William Dobrovir plays one of the White House tapes. Time Code Start: 22:10. Keywords: law officials, attorneys, lawyers, bugging, bugs, wiretapping, wire taps, surveillance, spying, recordings, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, scandals. Network: CBS.

      12. Brinkley: Commentary on drug costs in Health, Education and Welfare (HEW). Time Code Start: 3:42. Keywords: health care, health insurance, drugs, medicines, pharmaceuticals, products, sales, supplies, prices, costs, increases. Network: NBC.

Context (External Sources)