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February 19, 1970

Introduction

This almanac page for Thursday, February 19, 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: Wednesday, February 18, 1970

Next Date: Friday, February 20, 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

    • Dinner Honoring Andrew Wyeth (6 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 246, February 19, 1970)
      Exchange of Toasts Between the President and Mr. Wyeth at a Dinner Inaugurating the Display of the Wyeth Paintings at the White House.

    Announcements

    Appointments and Nominations

    Congress, Communications to

    Checklist of White House Press Releases

    The releases listed below, made public by the Office of the White House Press Secretary during the period covered by this issue, are not included in the issue.

    • Press conferenc of Warren E. Hewitt, Chief, Human Rights Division, Office of International Economic and Social Affairs, Department of State, and Ronald L. Ziegler, Press Secretary to the President, on message transmitting Genocide Convention for Senate ratification.

    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 E. ABAHAMS, of Maryland, to be an Assistant Director of the Office of Economic Opportunity, vice Genevieve Blatt, resigned.
    • VICE ADM. JOHN MARSHALL LEE, United States Navy, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Director of the United States Arms Control and Disarmament Agency, vice Lieutenant General John J. Davis.
    • HOWARD B. TURRENTINE, of California, to be a United States District Judge for the Southern District of California, vice Fred Kunzel, deceased.

  • 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

  • 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. II, Organization and Management of U.S. Foreign Policy, 1969-1972

    The Intelligence Community and the White House

    Vol. XII, Soviet Union, January 1969-October 1970

    Expansion of the Kissinger-Dobrynin Channel and Further Discussions on the Middle East, December 11, 1969-July 28, 1970

    • 137. Special National Intelligence Estimate , Washington, February 19, 1970

      Source: Central Intelligence Agency, NIC Files, Job 79–R1012A, NIEs and SNIEs. Top Secret; Sensitive; Limited Distribution. According to a prefatory note, the Central Intelligence Agency and the intelligence organizations of the Department of State, Defense, Atomic Energy Commission, and the National Security Agency participated in the preparation of this estimate, which was submitted by the Director of Central Intelligence and concurred by all members of the USIB. This SNIE superseded SNIE 11–16–68, November 7, 1968, “The Soviet Approach to Arms Control,” which “dealt with the attitudes the Soviets might be expected to bring to talks on limiting strategic weapons (SALT). It discussed how such factors as the USSR’s economic position and its view of the strategic relationship with the US might be thought to bear on the Soviet approach to SALT.” It is printed in Foreign Relations, 1964–1968, volume XI, Arms Control and Disarmament, Document 291.

    Vol. XXXII, SALT I, 1969-1972

    Opening Round at Helsinki and Preparations for Vienna, November 17, 1969-April 15, 1970

    • 53. Special National Intelligence Estimate , Washington, February 19, 1970

      Source: Central Intelligence Agency, NIC Files, Job 79–R01012A. Top Secret; Sensitive; Limited Distribution. The Central Intelligence Agency and the intelligence organizations of the Departments of State and Defense, the Atomic Energy Commission, and the National Security Agency participated in the preparation of this estimate, which was submitted by the Director of Central Intelligence and concurred in by all members of the USIB. This SNIE superseded SNIE 11–16–68, November 7, 1968, “The Soviet Approach to Arms Control,” which “dealt with the attitudes the Soviets might be expected to bring to talks on limiting strategic weapons (SALT). It discussed how such factors as the USSR’s economic position and its view of the strategic relationship with the US might be thought to bear on the Soviet approach to SALT.” For text of SNIE 11–16–68, see Foreign Relations, 1964–1968, volume XI, Arms Control and Disarmament, Document 291. On January 26 Kissinger reminded Helms that at the January 21 Verification Panel meeting they agreed that an SNIE would help prepare for the Vienna round of negotiations. Kissinger asked Helms to forward an estimate by February 20. (National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 876, SALT, Volume VII, January 1970)

    Vol. XXXVI, Energy Crisis, 1969-1974

    February 20, 1969-February 19, 1970

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

    Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty; Implementation of Safeguard System

    • 45. Telegram 864 From the Embassy in Austria to the Department of State, Vienna, February 19, 1970, 1559Z

      The telegram provided an update on the IAEA negotiations over establishing a committee to implement the NPT’s safeguards provisions. It includes text outlining a set of eight responsibilities mandated by the NPT; encouraged all member states to engage in discussions concerning those tasks with the Director General; and ensured the prompt dissemination of those viewpoints to all member states for consideration. It closed with a discussion of the use of specific terms in facilitating the terms of the agreement.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–1973, AE 13 IAEA. Limited Official Use; Priority. It was repeated to AEC, Bonn, USEC Brussels, London, Paris, Rome, and The Hague.

    Vol. E-4, Documents on Iran and Iraq, 1969-1972

    Iran 1970

    • 47. Memorandum of Conversation , Washington, February 19, 1970

      Since Congress was delaying Foreign Military Sales (FMS) legislation, Iranian Plan Organization Managing Director Mehdi Samii asked Assistant Secretary Sisco to estimate the Iranian Government’s prospects for U.S. foreign military sales credit in FY 1970.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, DEF 19–8 US-IRAN. Secret; Exdis. Drafted by McClelland. The conversation took place at the Department of State.

    Vol. E-10, Documents on American Republics, 1969-1972

    Panama

    • 531. Memorandum From Viron P. Vaky of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), Washington, February 19, 1970. , Washington, February 19, 1970

      National Security Council staff member Vaky reported to President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs Kissinger that a Department of Defense report found that, even though the 470th Military Intelligence Group in the Canal Zone had been collecting intelligence information between December 14 and 16, 1969, there was no evidence of Military Intelligence Group participation in the coup attempt in Panama on December 15.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 790, Country Files, Latin America, Panama, Vol. 1, January 1969–28 February 1970. Secret; Sensitive; Eyes Only. Sent for information. A stamped notation on the memorandum indicated that Kissinger saw it. The February 14 memorandum from Froehlke to Kissinger has not been found. In a February 3 memorandum from Undersecretary of the Army, Thaddeus R. Beal, to Laird, Beal confirmed that the U.S. military was not involved in the December 15, 1969 coup attempt. However, Sayre and Mather “believe that there was a failure of times dissemination of intelligence gather by the 470th and that the way in which it has operated with agents in the GN has to be changed.” Mather stated that because the GN was so closely involved in Panama’s political affairs, intelligence gathering would have to be more circumspect. (Washington National Records Center, OSD Files: FRC 330–76–067, 81, Panama 1970)

  • 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-2983 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2983-02-36, President Nixon in his office (head and shoulders). 2/19/1970, Washington, D.C. White House Oval Office. President Nixon.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2983-03, Head and shoulders portrait of President Nixon sitting at his desk, sipping coffee in the Oval Office. 2/19/1970, Washington, D.C. White House Oval Office. President Nixon.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2983-05, Profile of President Nixon sitting at his desk in the Oval Office with head resting on hand. 2/19/1970, Washington, D.C. White House Oval Office. President Nixon.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2983-21, Head and shoulders portrait of President Nixon sitting at his desk in the Oval Office with head resting on hand. 2/19/1970, Washington, D.C. White House Oval Office. President Nixon.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2983-32, Head and shoulders portrait of President Nixon sitting at his desk in the Oval Office with finger on forehead. 2/19/1970, Washington, D.C. White House Oval Office. President Nixon.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2983-36, Head and shoulders portrait of President Nixon sitting at his desk in the Oval Office with finger on forehead. 2/19/1970, Washington, D.C. White House Oval Office. President Nixon.

    Roll WHPO-2984 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2984-02-11, President Nixon participating in the Easter Seal Child Ceremony with Lorie Jean Bowen. 2/19/1970, Washington, D.C. White House Oval Office. President Nixon, Lorie Jean Bowen.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2984-13-16, President Nixon standing with Rep. William Dickinson with support petition from the University of Alabama. 2/19/1970, Washington, D.C. White House Oval Office. President Nixon, Rep. Dickinson.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2984-18-25, President Nixon receiving the gift of a gavel from Rep. Robert Denney. 2/19/1970, Washington, D.C. White House: Oval Office. President Nixon, Rep. Denney.

    Roll WHPO-2985 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2985-03-27, Close-up portrait study of Margita White. 2/19/1970, Washington, D.C. White House. Margita White.

    Roll WHPO-2986 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2986-03A-23A, Rose Mary Woods, Henry Kissinger and Ron Ziegler with a group of Boy Scouts. 2/19/1970, Washington, D.C. White House. Rose Mary Woods, Henry Kissinger, Ron Ziegler.

    Roll WHPO-2987 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2987-02A-17A, Rose Mary Woods, Ron Ziegler and Henry Kissinger with a group of Boy Scouts. 2/19/1970, Washington, D.C. White House. Rose Mary Woods, Henry Kissinger, Ron Ziegler.

    Roll WHPO-2988 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2988-01A-09A, President Nixon with Lorie Jean Bowen, the Easter Seal Child. 2/19/1970, Washington, D.C. White House Oval Office. President Nixon.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2988-10, President Nixon with Lorie Jean Bowen, the Easter Seal Child. 2/19/1970, Washington, D.C. White House Oval Office. President Nixon, Lorie Jean Bowen, unidentified persons.

    Roll WHPO-2989 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2989-03-13, 16-29, Pat Nixon standing with artist Andrew Wyeth at an exhibition of his paintings in the White House. 2/19/1970, Washington, D.C. White House. Pat Nixon, Andrew Wyeth.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2989-14-15, Pat Nixon sitting with artist Andrew Wyeth. 2/19/1970, Washington, D.C. Washington, D.C. Pat Nixon, Andrew Wyeth.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2989-18A, Pat Nixon standing with artist Andrew Wyeth at an exhibition of his paintings in the White House. 2/19/1970, Washington, D.C. Washington, D.C. Pat Nixon, Andrew Wyeth, Helen Thomas, Denny McCarthy, Connie Stuart, Kandy Stroud.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2989-21, Pat Nixon standing with artist Andrew Wyeth at an exhibition of his paintings in the White House. 2/19/1970, Washington, D.C. White House. Pat Nixon, Andrew Wyeth.

    Roll WHPO-2992 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2992-01A-12A, President Nixon meeting with former Secretary of the Treasury Robert Anderson. 2/19/1970, Washington, D.C. White House. President Nixon, Robert Anderson.

    Roll WHPO-2993 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2993-03A-11A, The art exhibit of Andrew Wyeth's paintings hung in the East Room. The first ever art exhibit by an American artist in the White House. 2/19/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, East Room.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2993-12A-17A, Guests attending the Art exhibit opening of paintings (on display) by Andrew Wyeth hung in the East Room. The first ever art exhibit by an American artist in the White House. 2/19/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, East Room. unidentified guests.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2993-19A-29A, President Nixon, Pat Nixon, artist Andrew Wyeth and Mrs. Betsy James Wyeth greet guests and pose for photos in a receiving line at the Andrew Wyeth art exhibit and dinner. 2/19/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, East Room. President Nixon, Pat Nixon,Andrew Wyeth, Mrs. Betsy James Wyeth, unidentified guests.

    Roll WHPO-2994 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2994-02-06, President Nixon, Pat Nixon, artist Andrew Wyeth and Mrs. Mrs. Betsy James Wyeth pose for a formal portrait at the Grand Staircase before Wyeth's White House dinner. 2/19/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Grand Staircase. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Andrew Wyeth, Mrs. Betsy James Wyeth.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2994-03, President Nixon, Pat Nixon, artist Andrew Wyeth, and Mrs. Mrs. Betsy James Wyeth pose for a formal portrait at the Grand Staircase before Wyeth's White House dinner. 2/19/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Grand Staircase. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Andrew Wyeth, Mrs. Betsy James Wyeth.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2994-07-08, President Nixon, Pat Nixon, artist Andrew Wyeth and Mrs. Mrs. Betsy James Wyeth walk the Grand Hall red carpet on their way Wyeth's White House dinner. 2/19/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Grand Hallway. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Andrew Wyeth, Mrs. Betsy James Wyeth.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2994-09-25, Chefs and staff arranging food on serving trays in the kitchen during the White House dinner in honoring artist Andrew Wyeth. 2/19/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, kitchen. President and Pat Nixon, Mr. And Mrs. Andrew Wyeth.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2994-26-30, Artist Andrew Wyeth standing next to his various paintings in a display exhibit at the White House East Room. 2/19/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, East Room. Andrew Wyeth.

    Roll WHPO-2995 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2995-02A-08A, President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Andrew Wyeth, and Mrs. Betsy James Wyeth talk and pose for group portraits with pianist Rudolph Serkin in the East Room after a performance. 2/19/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, East Room. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Andrew Wyeth, Mrs. Betsy James Wyeth.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2995-04A, President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Andrew Wyeth, and Mrs. Betsy James Wyeth pose for a group portrait with pianist Rudolph Serkin in the East Room after a performance. 2/19/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, East Room. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Andrew Wyeth, Mrs. Betsy James Wyeth, Rudolph Serkin.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2995-09A-10A, President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Andrew Wyeth, and Mrs. Betsy James Wyeth and pianist Rudolph Serkin mingle with audience members after and East Room performance. 2/19/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, East Room. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Andrew Wyeth, Mrs. Betsy James Wyeth, Rudolph Serkin.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2995-11A, President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Andrew Wyeth, and Mrs. Betsy James Wyeth walk the Grand Hall red carpet on the Wyeth dinner evening. 2/19/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Grand Hall. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Andrew Wyeth, Mrs. Betsy James Wyeth.

    Roll WHPO-2996 Photographer: Moore, Robert (Supervisor/Director, WHPO Photographic Laboratory) | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2996-01A-15A, Andrew Wyeth's paintings and the models who posed for them, standing next to their portraits. 2/19/1970, unknown unknown. unidentified men and women.

  • 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.

    C - First Lady

    • WHCA-SR-C-027
      Remarks by Pat Nixon in a press conference regarding the opening of the Andrew Wyeth exhibit, with remarks by Wyeth. (2/19/1970, East Room, White House)

      Runtime: 0:13:29

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

      Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.
    • WHCA-SR-C-028
      Interview with Pat Nixon for the "Today" show, with Barbara Walters and Andrew Wyeth in the East Room (NBC broadcast). (2/19/1970, East Room, White House)

      Runtime: 0:30:10

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

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

    J - Entertainment at the White House

    • WHCA-SR-J-118
      Rudolf Serkin [see P-700217]. (2/19/1970)

      Runtime: 35:40:00

      Keywords: Musician, musicians, music, celebrities, performance, classical music

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

    P - Formal Presidential Remarks

    • WHCA-SR-P-700217
      Remarks by President Nixon following dinner in honor of Andrew Wyeth with Wyeth [see J-118]. (2/19/1970)

      Runtime: 6:35

      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-3637
      "Today" Show with Mrs. Finch, Mrs. Laird, Mrs. Romney and Mrs. Blount; "Today" Show with Mrs. Nixon and artist Andrew Wyeth.
      NBC
      Runtime: 00:29:40
    • WHCA-3638
      Weekly News Summary.
      All networks
      Runtime: 0:30

      5. Cronkite: First Lady Pat Nixon says Andrew Wyeth's art exhibit is first White House one man show of paintings by an American artist. Time Code Start: 09:07. Keywords: Presidents, familes, wife, speeches, art, exhibitions, exhibits, shows, paintings, celebrities. Network: CBS.

      6. Cronkite/Rather/Walker: White House redesigned guard's dress uniforms and hats by designer Jim MUSCATELO; returns former police uniforms, Fashion designer Bill BLASS says seen better uniforms on doormen. Time Code Start: 10:30. Keywords: Executive Protective Service, security guards, police officers, fashion, clothing, uniforms, costumes. Network: CBS.

      7. Smith: Vice President Agnew says President Nixon responsible for enforcing any court orders stopping illegal segregation, Brown decision right. Time Code Start: 13:37. Keywords: Vice Presidents, television, TV, interviews, desegregation, racism, racial profiling, civil rights, racial discrimination, African Americans, schools, students. Network: ABC.

      8. Smith/Jarriel: Artist Andrew Wyeth honored at White House dinner before an art exhibition of his paintings opens there; Wyeth says is emotional thing to paint. Time Code Start: 16:51. Keywords: art, exhibits, exhibitions, shows, paintings, celebrities, dinners, statements. Network: ABC.

Context (External Sources)