1. Home
  2. Research
  3. Almanac

December 5, 1973

Introduction

This almanac page for Wednesday, December 5, 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 4, 1973

Next Date: Thursday, December 6, 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

    • 372. Special National Intelligence Estimate, Washington, December 5, 1973

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 362, Subject Files, National Intelligence Estimates, Part 6. Secret. The Central Intelligence Agency and the intelligence organizations of the Departments of State, Defense, the Treasury, and NSA participated in the preparation of the estimate. The Director of CIA submitted this estimate with the concurrence of all members of the United States Intelligence Board, except the representative of the FBI who abstained on the grounds that it was outside his jurisdiction.

    • 373. Letter From the Secretary of State Kissinger’s Executive Assistant (Eagleburger) to the Soviet Ambassador (Dobrynin), Washington, December 5, 1973

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Kissinger Office Files, Box 70, Country Files, Europe, Exchange of Notes Between Dobrynin and Kissinger, Vol. 8. No classification marking.

    Vol. XXXVI, Energy Crisis, 1969-1974

    October 6, 1973-March 22, 1974

    • 262. National Intelligence Estimate, Washington, December 5, 1973

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 362, Subject Files, National Intelligence Estimates. Secret. A title page and table of contents are not printed.

    • 263. Memorandum of Conversation, Washington, December 5, 1973, 2:30 p.m.

      Source: Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Kissinger Papers, Department of State 1968–1977, Box CL 342, MemCons External, Sep 73–Feb 74. Secret; Nodis. Drafted by Dickman. The meeting was held in the Secretary’s office. Yamani and Abdesselam also met with Secretary of Commerce Dent on December 6. (Memorandum from Dent to Rush, December 11; National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL SAUD–US) In his December 8 meeting with Clements, Yamani promised an additional 100,000 barrels per day for the Sixth Fleet. (Telegram 240916 to Jidda, December 8; ibid., Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 630, Country Files, Middle East, Saudi Arabia, Vol. IV)

    Vol. XXXIX, European Security

    U.S.-Soviet Bilaterals, September 1973-May 1974

    • 180. Memorandum of Conversation, Washington, December 5, 1973, 11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m.

      Source: Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Kissinger Papers, Box CL 279, Presidential File, Memoranda of Conversation. Secret; Nodis. According to the President’s Daily Diary, the meeting took place in the Oval Office. (National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, White House Central Files, President’s Daily Diary) In telegram 243762 to Geneva, the Department summarized Nixon’s conversation with Ceausescu. It reads in part: “Addressee posts [Geneva and the U.S. Delegation to MBFR] should have in mind statement made during discussions here December 4 and 5 with President Ceausescu on CSCE and MBFR.” It noted that “the President asked the Secretary to see that the closest consultations take place with Romania on both subjects.” (Ibid., NSC Files, Box 708, Country Files, Europe, Switzerland, Vol. II)

  • 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-E1910 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E1910-02A-09A, An empty East Room stage set the Lesson Scene of the Barber of Seville after a state dinner for President Ceausescu. 12/5/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, East Room.

    Roll WHPO-E1914 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E1914-02-14, Pat Nixon and Julie Eisenhower with visiting a Children's Hospital group. 12/5/1973, Washington, D.C. White House. Pat Nixon, Julie Nixon Eisenhower.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E1914-05, Pat Nixon and Julie Nixon Eisenhower reading to two young children while seated on a couch during a Children's Hospital group visit to the White House. 12/5/1973, Washington, D.C. White House. Pat Nixon, Julie Nixon Eisenhower, unidentified children.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E1914-15, Julie Eisenhower with a Bethseda Womens Club Antique Show delegation. (possibly Bethesda not Bethseda?). 12/5/1973, Washington, D.C. White House. Pat Nixon, Julie Nixon Eisenhower.

    Roll WHPO-E1915 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E1915-03A-09A, President Nixon and Pat Nixon at the Romanian Embassy. 12/5/1973, Washington, D.C Romanian Embassy. President Nixon, Gerald Ford, Nicolae Ceausecu.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E1915-05A, President Nixon and Vice President Gerald Ford sitting with President Nicolae Ceausescu, Secretary General of the Romanian Communist Party, at the Romanian Embassy. 12/5/1973, Washington, D.C Romanian Embassy. President Nixon, Gerald Ford, Nicolae Ceausecu.

    Roll WHPO-E1917 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E1917-02A, Pat Nixon accepting a Susan B. Anthony portrait bust from unidentified representatives of the International Conference on The Role of Women in the Economy. 12/5/1973, Washington, D.C. White House. Pat Nixon, officials.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E1917-02A-11A, Presentation of Susan B. Anthony portrait bust to Pat Nixon, from unidentified representatives of the International Conference on The Role of Women in the Economy. 12/5/1973, Washington, D.C. White House. Pat Nixon, officials.

  • 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-124
      Photo opportunity/Ceausescu-Romanian Embassy, Washington, D.C. [no remarks]. (12/5/1973)

      Runtime: 12:00

      Keywords: Romania

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

    P - Formal Presidential Remarks

    • WHCA-SR-P-731206
      Remarks by President Nixon at signing of US-Romanian Agreement with President Ceausescu. (12/5/1973)

      Runtime: 2:42

      Keywords: 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-397
      Press briefing by Gerald Warren. (12/5/1973, White House Press Lobby)

      Runtime: 1:02:25

      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.

  • 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-6695
      Weekly News Summary, Tape II.
      ALL NETWORKS
      Runtime: 1:30

      1. Smith/Clark: Gerald Ford to be confirmed tomorrow as Vice President; Senator Jarvis and Dole commentary of the possibility of President Nixon's resignation. Time Code Start: 00:00. Keywords: Vice Presidents, appointments, confirmations, Presidents, resignations, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals, impeachment. Network: ABC.

      2. Jarriel: More comments on President Nixon's resignation and President Nixon's meeting with Romanian President Ceausescu. Time Code Start: 02:15. Keywords: Presidents, Europe, meetings. Network: ABC.

      3. Smith/Schoumacher: White House tapes with Rose Mary Woods and General Haig. Time Code Start: 03:42. 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: ABC.

      4. Peterson: Cost of living council looks into oil and truckers problems. Time Code Start: 06:34. Keywords: petroleum, oil, gasoline, fuel, shortages, rationing, laws, protests, speed limitations, trucks, truckers, truck drivers, cargo transportation, hauling, costs, transportation. Network: ABC.

      5. Smith/Kaplow: Arab and Egyptian oil; meeting in Washington, D.C. with Secretary of State Kissinger. Time Code Start: 08:30. Keywords: Arabian, Arabs, Middle East, Mideast, meetings, Egyptian, energy, petroleum, drilling, oil supply, oil supplies, cabinet, advisors. Network: ABC.

      6. Smith: Commentary on the press. Time Code Start: 10:31. Keywords: Freedom of the Press, media, newspapers, magazines, publications, constitutional rights. Network: ABC.

      7. Chancellor/Levine: Cost of living council okays an increase in heating oil prices and says gasoline. Time Code Start: 12:22. Keywords: energy, petroleum, oil, gasoline, fuel, oil supply, oil supplies, imports, shortages, sales, costs, increases, rationing, natural resources. Network: NBC.

      8. Chancellor/Valeriani: Egyptian and Arab oil, Secretary of State Kissinger's meeting. Time Code Start: 14:03. Keywords: Arabian, Arabs, Middle East, Mideast, meetings, Egyptian, energy, petroleum, drilling, oil supply, oil supplies, cabinet, advisors. Network: NBC.

      9. Chancellor/Stern: Watergate tapes, testimony by Rose Mary Woods and General Haig. Time Code Start: 16:20. Keywords: bugging, bugs, wiretapping, wire taps, surveillance, spying, recordings, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, scandals. Network: NBC.

      10. Chancellor/Delaney: President Nixon bank add in Florida linked with Watergate conspiracy. Time Code Start: 19:36 19:36. Keywords: Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals, impeachment, resignations. Network: CBS.

      11. Brinkley: Commentary on President Nixon's tax deductions. Time Code Start: 22:12. Keywords: Presidents, Internal Revenue Service, taxes, taxation, revenue, audits, investigations, state taxes. Network: NBC.

      12. Cronkite/Benton: Cost of living council okays increase in heating oil prices and says gasoline. Time Code Start: 23:42. Keywords: energy, petroleum, oil, gasoline, fuel, oil supply, oil supplies, imports, shortages, sales, costs, increases, rationing, natural resources. Network: CBS.

      13. Cronkite/Culhane/Roth: Truckers blockades in Ohio and New Jersey. Time Code Start: 25:43. Keywords: strikes, petroleum, oil, gasoline, fuel, shortages, rationing, laws, protests, speed limitations, trucks, truckers, truck drivers, cargo transportation, hauling, costs, transportation. Network: CBS.

      14. Cronkite/Threlkeld/Dow: More on the truckers plight with interviews. Time Code Start: 28:37. Keywords: strikes, petroleum, oil, gasoline, fuel, shortages, rationing, laws, protests, speed limitations, trucks, truckers, truck drivers, cargo transportation, hauling, costs, transportation, media, press conferences. Network: CBS.

      15. Cronkite/Kalb: Egyptian and Arab oil; meeting in Washington, D.C. with Secretary of State Kissinger. Time Code Start: 31:21. Keywords: Arabian, Arabs, Middle East, Mideast, meetings, Egyptian, energy, petroleum, drilling, oil supply, oil supplies, cabinet, advisors. Network: CBS.

      16. Cronkite: Romanian President Ceausescu says he cannot help much with oil. Time Code Start: 33:13. Keywords: Presidents, Europe, energy, petroleum, drilling, oil supply, oil supplies, imports. Network: CBS.

      17. Cronkite/Graham: Watergate tapes with Rose Mary Woods and General Haig testimony; General Haig told court he told President Nixon about missing 18 minutes before Nixon meeting with governors. Time Code Start: 33:46. 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.

      18. Sevareid: Commentary on the energy crisis. Time Code Start: 36:00. Keywords: petroleum, oil, gasoline, fuel, shortages, rationing, natural resources. Network: CBS.

Context (External Sources)