December 4, 1973

The Daily Diary files represent a consolidated record of the President's activities. Visit the finding aid to learn more.

• Original typewritten diary (PDF)

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.

• Remarks of Welcome to President Nicolae Ceausescu of Romania.
• Remarks Announcing Establishment of the Federal Energy Office.
• Toasts of the President and President Ceausescu of Romania.
• Executive Order 11748—Federal Energy Office

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.

• Federal Register of Tuesday, December 4, 1973

The Congressional Record is the official daily record of the debates and proceedings of the U.S. Congress.

• House of Representatives: December 4, 1973
• Senate: December 4, 1973
• Extensions of Remarks: December 4, 1973

Argued

• Curtis v. Loether
• Mitchell v. W. T. Grant Company
• Scheuer v. Rhodes
• Windward Shipping (London) Ltd. v. American Radio Association, AFL-CIO

Decided

• Cupp v. Naughten
• Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Inc. v. Ware

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

• Text search for December 4, 1973
• Date search for December 4, 1973

All National Archives Units

• Text search for December 4, 1973
• Date search for December 4, 1973

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.

• President's Daily Brief of 04 December 1973

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

• 26. Briefing Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs (Kubisch) to the Deputy Secretary of State (Rush), Washington, December 4, 1973

  Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL PAN–US. Secret. Drafted by Howard.

Vol. XXXVI, Energy Crisis, 1969-1974

October 6, 1973-March 22, 1974

• 260. Message From Prince Fahd of Saudi Arabia to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), Riyadh, December 4, 1973

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Kissinger Office Files, Box 139, Country Files, Middle East, Saudi Arabia, Nov–Dec 1973. Secret; Sensitive. A handwritten notation indicates the message was received in the White House at 11:42 a.m.

• 261. Memorandum From Jan Lodal and Helmut Sonnenfeldt of the National Security Council Staff to Secretary of State Kissinger, Washington, December 4, 1973

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 321, Subject Files, Energy Crisis, Nov 73–Feb 74. Secret. Sent for action. Concurred in by Saunders, Cooper, Elliott, and Jack Froebe of the NSC Staff. An unidentified hand wrote “Action taken” in the upper right hand corner.

Vol. E-12, Documents on East and Southeast Asia, 1973-1976

Indonesia and the East Timor Crisis

• 102. Memorandum From Charles A. Cooper of the National Security Council Staff to Secretary of State Kissinger, Washington, December 4, 1973., Washington, December 4, 1973

  Cooper reported to Kissinger on Suharto’s decision about the level of aid to Indonesia.
  
  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 533, Country Files, Far East, Indonesia, Volume 4, 1 January 1973–. Secret. Sent for information. Kissinger initialed the memorandum. Attached Tab A is Galbraith’s backchannel message of December 3; attached Tab B is Kissinger’s November 25 backchannel to Galbraith; Tab C was not attached.

Korean Peninsula

• 247. Minutes of Washington Special Actions Group Meeting, Washington, December 4, 1973, 10:40 a.m.–12:02 p.m., Washington, December 4, 1973, 10:40 a.m.-12:02 p.m.

  A WSAG meeting considered North Korean maritime demands.
  
  Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, NSC Staff for East Asia and Pacific Affairs, Convenience Files, Box 24, WSAG Working Group, Dec. 4, 1973[Korea]. Top Secret; Nodis. The minutes were attached to a covering memorandum, December 5, from Davis to Kissinger, explaining that the WSAG met “to discuss North Korea’s demand that UN Command naval and merchant ships obtain prior permission to navigate the waters contiguous to five UNC-controlled islands off the west coast of Korea.” On December 22, Scowcroft approved draft State-Defense cables to the Embassy in Seoul giving guidance for the upcoming Military Armistice Commission meeting and commenting on a South Korean memorandum on the island dispute. (National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 544, Country Files, Far East, Korea, Volume 7, November 1973–)

Vol. E-15, Part 1, Documents on Eastern Europe, 1973-1976

Romania

• 28. Memorandum of Conversation, Washington, December 4, 1973., Washington, December 4, 1973

  Secretary of State Kissinger and President Ceausescu met to discuss U.S.-Romanian bilateral relations.
  
  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 1027, Presidential/HAK Memoranda of Conversations. Secret; EXDIS. Drafted by Martens.

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.

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-E1891 Photographer: Moore, Robert (Supervisor/Director, WHPO Photographic Laboratory) | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-E1891-09, President Nixon and President Nicolae Ceausescu of Romania stand at the podium on the arrival ceremony platform. Pat Nixon and Mrs. Elena Ceausescu stand nearby with many officials. Military troops stand at attention nearby. 12/4/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, South Lawn. President Nixon, Nicolae Ceausescu, Pat Nixon, Mrs. Elena Ceausescu, unidentified officials, unidentified military troops.
• Frame(s): WHPO-E1891-13, President Nixon and President Nicolae Ceausescu of Romania stand at the podium on the arrival ceremony platform. Military troops stand at attention nearby. 12/4/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, South Lawn. President Nixon, Nicolae Ceausescu, unidentified military troops.

Roll WHPO-E1894 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-E1894-05, President Nixon and Pat Nixon greet President Nicolae Ceausescu of Romania and his wife as they exit the limousine to the red carpet near the arrival ceremony platform. Officials stand nearby. 12/4/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, South Lawn. President Nixon, Nicolae Ceausescu, Pat Nixon, Mrs. Elena Ceausescu, unidentified officials.
• Frame(s): WHPO-E1894-13, President Nixon and President Nicolae Ceausescu of Romania stand at attention on the arrival ceremony platform. Pat Nixon and Mrs. Elena Ceausescu stand nearby with many officials. Military troops standing at attention nearby. The U.S. flag and Romanian flag are seen in the foreground. 12/4/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, South Lawn. President Nixon, Nicolae Ceausescu, Pat Nixon, Mrs. Elena Ceausescu, unidentified officials, unidentified military troops.

Roll WHPO-E1896 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-E1896-25A, President Nixon, Pat Nixon, President Nicolae Ceausescu of Romania and Mrs. Elena Ceausescu stand on the Truman Balcony waving after the official arrival ceremony. 12/4/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, Truman Balcony. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, President Nicolae Ceausescu, Mrs. Elena Ceausescu.

Roll WHPO-E1897 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-E1897-02-33, Arrival ceremony with The Nixons alongside Nicolae Ceausescu (Secretary General of the Romanian Communist Party). 12/4/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, South Lawn.
• Frame(s): WHPO-E1897-23, President Nixon and President Nicolae Ceausescu of Romania stand at the podium on the arrival ceremony platform with The White House in the background. Pat Nixon and Mrs. Elena Ceausescu stand nearby with many officials. The U.S. flag and Romanian flag are seen in the foreground. 12/4/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, South Lawn. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, President Nicolae Ceausescu, Mrs. Elena Ceausescu, unidentified officials.
• Frame(s): WHPO-E1897-26, President Nixon and President Nicolae Ceausescu of Romania stand at the podium on the arrival ceremony platform with The White House in the background. Pat Nixon and Mrs. Elena Ceausescu stand nearby with many officials. The U.S. flag and Romanian flag are seen in the foreground. 12/4/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, South Lawn. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, President Nicolae Ceausescu, Mrs. Elena Ceausescu, unidentified officials, unidentified photographer.

Roll WHPO-E1898 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-E1898-03-30, Arrival ceremony with The Nixons alongside Nicolae Ceausescu (Secretary General of the Romanian Communist Party). 12/4/1973, White House, South Lawn.

Roll WHPO-E1899 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-E1899-02-18, Arrival ceremony with The Nixons alongside Nicolae Ceausescu (Secretary General of the Romanian Communist Party). 12/4/1973, White House, South Lawn.

Roll WHPO-E1901 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-E1901-03-13, Departure of President Ceausescu (Secretary General of the Romanian Communist Party) from his visit to the White House. 12/4/1973, Washington, D.C. White House lawn outside Oval Office area. President Nixon, Nicolae Ceausescu, Henry Kissinger, officials.
• Frame(s): WHPO-E1901-10, President Nixon, Henry Kissinger, and officials walking with President Ceausescu of Romania to the limousine on his departure from the White House. The U.S. flag and Romanian flag are visible in the foreground. 12/4/1973, Washington, D.C. White House lawn outside Oval Office area. President Nixon, Nicolae Ceausescu, Henry Kissinger, officials.

Roll WHPO-E1902 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-E1902-02-06, Departure of President Ceausescu (Secretary General of the Romanian Communist Party) from his visit to the White House. 12/4/1973, Washington, D.C. White House lawn outside Oval Office area. President Nixon, Nicolae Ceausescu, Henry Kissinger, officials.
• Frame(s): WHPO-E1902-03, President Nixon, Henry Kissinger, and officials walking with President Ceausescu of Romania to his limousine on his departure from the White House. View seen from between the U.S. flag and Romanian flags on President Ceausescu's limousine parked on the lawn. 12/4/1973, Washington, D.C. White House lawn outside Oval Office area. President Nixon, Nicolae Ceausescu, Henry Kissinger, unidentified officials.
• Frame(s): WHPO-E1902-05, President Nixon shaking hands with President Nicolae Ceausescu of Romania during the departure ceremony. Officials stand nearby. 12/4/1973, Washington, D.C. White House lawn outside Oval Office area. President Nixon, Nicolae Ceausescu, officials.

Roll WHPO-E1908 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-E1908-04A-33A, State Dinner evening events for President Ceausescu, Secretary General of the Romanian Communist Party. President Nixon greets the Ceausescus arrival at the North Portico, The Nixons and Ceausescu's pose for formal portraits at the Grand Stairway, then all greet guests in a receiving line and reception in the blue room before the state dinner. 12/4/1973, Washington, D.C. White House. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Nicolae Ceausescu, Mrs. Elena Ceausescu, honor guard, unidentified persons.
• Frame(s): WHPO-E1908-11A, President Nixon, Pat Nixon, President Nicolae Ceaușescu, Secretary General of the Romanian Communist Party, and Elana Ceaușescu pose for formal portraits at the Grand Stairway prior to a State Dinner. 12/4/1973, Washington, D.C. White House. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Nicolae Ceausescu, Elena Ceausescu.
• Frame(s): WHPO-E1908-16A, President Nixon and Pat Nixon escort President Nicolae Ceausescu, Secretary General of the Romanian Communist Party, and Mrs. Ceausescu down the Grand Hallway red carpet to a state dinner. 12/4/1973, Washington, D.C. White House. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Nicolae Ceausescu, Mrs. Elena Ceausescu, honor guard, unidentified persons.

Roll WHPO-E1909 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-E1909-02A-09A, President Nixon, Pat Nixon, President Ceausescu, Secretary-General of the Romanian Communist Party and Mrs. Ceausescu greet and pose for portraits with the Opera Society of Washington members in the East Room after their Barber of Seville "Lesson Scene" performance. 12/4/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, East Room. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, President Ceausescu, Mrs. Ceausescu, James Conlon (conductor), Bruce Brewer, David Holloway, Frederica Von Stade, Andrew Foldi, Michael Devlin.

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-123
  Photo opportunity with Nicolae Ceausescu [no remarks]. (12/4/1973)
  
  Runtime: 2:00
  
  Keywords: Romania
  
  Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.

P - Formal Presidential Remarks

• WHCA-SR-P-731202
  State arrival ceremony for President Nicolae Ceausescu, with President Ceausescu. (12/4/1973)
  
  Runtime: 4:55
  
  Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.
• WHCA-SR-P-731203
  Briefing for sound on energy crisis with WS. (12/4/1973)
  
  Runtime: 5:41
  
  Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.
• WHCA-SR-P-731204
  Remarks by President Nixon in toast to President Ceausescu, with President Ceausescu. (12/4/1973)
  
  Runtime: 13:39
  
  Keywords: Romania
  
  Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.
• WHCA-SR-P-731205
  Remarks by President Nixon prior to entertainment for President Ceausescu. (12/4/1973)
  
  Runtime: 1:34
  
  Keywords: Musician, musicians, music, celebrities, performance, Romania
  
  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-395
  Press briefing by Gerald Warren. (12/4/1973, White House Press Lobby)
  
  Runtime: 45:00:00
  
  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-396
  Press briefing by Gerald Warren. (12/4/1973, White House Press Lobby)
  
  Runtime: 3:33
  
  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-6694
  Weekly News Summary, Tape I.
  ALL NETWORKS
  Runtime: 1:30
  
  23. Smith/Peterson: William Simon gives full control of energy agency. Time Code Start: 42:28. Keywords: cabinet, advisors, petroleum, oil, gasoline, fuel, shortages, rationing, natural resources, energy. Network: ABC.
  
  24. Smith/Schoumacher: Haldeman still has control over some tapes and knowledge of the missing 18 minutes (Watergate tapes). Time Code Start: 45:32. Keywords: bugging, bugs, wiretapping, wire taps, surveillance, spying, recordings, advisors, counsels, attorneys, lawyers, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals. Network: ABC.
  
  25. Smith/Landay: Romanian President Ceausescu visits with President Nixon. Time Code Start: 47:57. Keywords: Presidents, Europe, meetings. Network: ABC.
  
  26. Reasoner: Commentary on campaign funds. Time Code Start: 49:50. Keywords: Presidential elections, campaigns, campaigning, candidates, costs, finances, funding, credit, loans, cash, currency, funding, financial aid. Network: ABC.
  
  27. Chancellor/Levine: William Simon appointed head of new Federal Energy Agency (FEA), with Simon and President Nixon. Time Code Start: 51:49. Keywords: Presidents, cabinet, advisors, nominations, appointments, confirmations. Network: NBC.
  
  28. Chancellor/Gardner: Truck drivers agency angry over reduced speed limits; call for national strike. Time Code Start: 54:29. Keywords: strikes, laws, protests, trucks, truckers, truck drivers, cargo transportation, hauling, costs, transportation, traffic, limits, safety issues, accidents prevention, speed limitations. Network: NBC.
  
  29. Chancellor/Brinkley: Commentary on doing without during the energy crisis. Time Code Start: 57:30. Keywords: petroleum, oil, gasoline, fuel, shortages, rationing, natural resources. Network: NBC.
  
  30. Chancellor/Stern: White House tapes and Haldeman's knowledge. Time Code Start: 58:48. Keywords: bugging, bugs, wiretapping, wire taps, surveillance, spying, recordings, advisors, counsels, attorneys, lawyers, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals. Network: NBC.
  
  31. Chancellor/Brokaw: White House staff moves and the new lawyers. Time Code Start: 61:00. Keywords: Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals, impeachment, resignations. Network: NBC.
  
  32. Chancellor/McCormick: Senate Watergate hearing and Charles Bebe Rebozo's bank. Time Code Start: 63:10. Keywords: Presidents, bank executives, Internal Revenue Service, taxes, audits, investigations, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals, impeachment, resignations. Network: NBC.
  
  33. Chancellor/Jones: Governor George Wallace given freedom award in New York City. Time Code Start: 65:24. Keywords: Governors, Presidential elections, campaigns, primaries, candidates, reports, assassinations, shootings. Network: NBC.
  
  34. Cronkite/Rather: Wiliam Simon sworn in as Federal energy chief with President Nixon; William Simon's White House plans on fuel taxes and rationing. Time Code Start: 69:58. Keywords: Presidents, cabinet, advisors, swearing in, appointments, petroleum, oil, gasoline, fuel, shortages, rationing, natural resources, taxes, taxation, revenue, audits, investigations. Network: CBS.
  
  35. Cronkite/Kraus: The oil industry with Senator Jackson and Robert Anderson; Senator Hart. Time Code Start: 73:02. Keywords: energy, petroleum, drilling, oil supply, oil supplies, imports, shortages, sales, costs, increases. Network: CBS.
  
  36. Cronkite/Dow: Truck blockade by truck drivers to protest speed limits and fuel allocations. Time Code Start: 77:48. Keywords: petroleum, oil, gasoline, fuel, shortages, rationing, laws, protests, trucks, truckers, truck drivers, cargo transportation, hauling, costs, transportation, traffic, limits, safety issues, accidents prevention, speed limitations. Network: CBS.
  
  37. Cronkite: Haldeman's knowledge of the missing 18 minutes of the Watergate tapes. Time Code Start: 79:54. Keywords: bugging, bugs, wiretapping, wire taps, surveillance, spying, recordings, advisors, counsels, attorneys, lawyers, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals. Network: CBS.
  
  38. Cronkite/Schorr: Senate Watergate hearings. Time Code Start: 80:30. Keywords: Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals, impeachment, resignations. Network: CBS.
  
  39. Cronkite: President Nixon's finances. Time Code Start: 81:48. Keywords: Presidents, Presidents,. Network: CBS.
  
  40. Sevareid: Commentary on what President Nixon's administration plans to do. Time Code Start: 82:19. Keywords: Presidents,. Network: CBS.

• New York Times of December 4, 1973

• AP Images photos from December 4, 1973
• Getty Images photos from December 4, 1973

The Vanderbilt Television News Archive is the world's most extensive and complete archive of television news. They have been recording, preserving and providing access to television news broadcasts of the national networks since August 5, 1968.

• December 1973 Broadcast Index

Wikipedia is a free encyclopedia that anyone can edit.

• December 4, 1973