1. Home
  2. Research
  3. Almanac

February 28, 1969

Introduction

This almanac page for Friday, February 28, 1969, 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: Thursday, February 27, 1969

Next Date: Saturday, March 1, 1969

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 Rome, Italy

  • 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.

    European Trip

    • Rome, Italy (5 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 345, February 28, 1969)
      Prepared Remarks of the President Upon Departure.
    • Rome, Italy (5 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 345, February 28, 1969)
      Remarks of President Nixon and President Saragat Upon President Nixon's Departure From Italy.
    • Paris, France (5 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 346, February 28, 1969)
      Prepared Remarks of the President Upon Arrival.
    • Paris, France (5 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 347, February 28, 1969)
      Remarks of President Nixon and President Charles de Gaulle Upon President Nixon's Arrival at Orly Airport.
    • Dinner With President de Gaulle (5 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 347, February 28, 1969)
      The President's Toast at the Elysée Palace in Paris.

    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.

    • CARL L. KLEIN, of Illinois, to be an Assistant Secretary of the Interior.
    • MITCHELL MELICH, of Utah, to be Solicitor of the Department of the Interior.
    • ROBERT L. KUNZIG, of Pennsylvania, to be Administrator of General Services.
    • PAUL W. EGGERS, of Texas, to be General Counsel for the Department of the Treasury.
    • BETTY HIGBY, of Colorado, to be Superintendent of the Mint of the United States at Denver.

  • 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

  • Selective document listing

    President's Office Files

    The President's Office Files consists of materials drawn together by the Special Files Unit from several administrative subdivisions within the White House Office. It is the handwriting and sensitive papers sent to the Staff Secretary that now comprise much of the President's Office Files. Visit the finding aid to learn more.

    • President's Handwriting, Box 1, President's Handwriting, February 1969
      • Memo; Lee A. DuBridge to The President re: Progress Report on the Cabinet Committee on the Environment. February 28, 1969. 2 pgs.

  • Selective document listing

    White House Press Office

    The White House Press Office during the Presidency of Richard Nixon was responsible for daily communication with the White House press corps. Ronald L. Ziegler was the Press Secretary to the President for Nixon's entire term in office from January 1969 to August 1974 and Gerald Warren served as the Deputy Press Secretary. The office held daily briefings for the press and produced the White House’s press releases. Visit the finding aid to learn more.

    • White House Press Conferences, Box 56
      • News Conference #70 at the White House (Paris, France) with Ron Ziegler, February 28, 1969, 7:15 P.M. 3 pgs.

  • 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. XXVIII, Southern Africa

    Portuguese Africa

    • 87. Memorandum of Conversation , Washington, February 28, 1969

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, POL 17 PORT–US. Confidential. Drafted by Gebelt (EUR/SPP) and approved in J on March 5.

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

    United Kingdom

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

    Eighteen-Nation Disarmament Committee; Seabed Arms Control Treaty

    • 66. Memorandum From the Director of the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency (Smith) to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) , Washington, February 28, 1969

      Smith forwarded the four issues paper that had been prepared in response to NSSM 20. These detailed papers provide extensive background information, multiple perspectives, and proposals for the possible upcoming topics—comprehensive test ban, cut-off fissionable material production for weapons purposes, and seabed arms control—at the ENDC meeting.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–34, Senior Review Group Meeting, 3/6/69. Top Secret; Restricted Data; Limdis. Copies were sent to Rogers, Laird, Wheeler, Helms, Seaborg, and Dubridge.

    Nuclear Test Ban Issues; Peaceful Nuclear Explosions

    • 285. Memorandum of Conversation , Washington, February 28, 1969

      In a meeting with Under Secretary of State Richardson, Soviet Ambassador Dobrynin delivered a verbal statement requesting a formal explanation how the U.S. joint nuclear cratering experiment with Australia would comply with the terms of the LTBT and the reason for the lack of U.S. response to the Soviet proposal to hold PNE technical talks.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 725, Country Files, Europe, USSR, Memcons, Dobrynin/Secretary, Mar 69. Confidential. Drafted by Dubs (EUR/SOV) on March 3, 1969.

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-0398 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-0398-07, President Nixon standing with his hand over his heart next to Giuseppe Saragat in the area of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. 2/28/1969, Rome, Italy Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. President Nixon, Giuseppe Saragat.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-0398-07-10, President Nixon in the area of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. 2/28/1969, Rome, Italy Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. President Nixon, unidentified official, military band, crowd.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-0398-11-17, President Nixon departing Italy, reviewing the troops and saying goodbye to Giuseppe Saragat. 2/28/1969, Rome, Italy Ciampino Military Airport. President Nixon, Giuseppe Saragat, military personnel, officials.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-0398-16, President Nixon departing Italy, reviewing the troops and saying goodbye to Giuseppe Saragat. 2/28/1969, Rome, Italy Ciampino Military Airport. President Nixon, Giuseppe Saragat, military personnel, officials.

    Roll WHPO-0399 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-0399-20/20A-28/28A, President Nixon leaving the Quirinale Palace and arriving at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. 2/28/1969, Rome, Italy Quirinal Palace and Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. President Nixon, unidentified officials, military guard.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-0399-29A-37A, Standing shots of President Nixon and Prime Minister Mariano Rumor in an informal setting. Meeting with President Nixon, Rumor, and American and Italian officials. Departure by helicopter for the airport and departure from the airport. 2/28/1969, Rome, Italy Chigi Palace and Ciampino Military Airport. President Nixon, Mariano Rumor, Kissinger, other officials.

    Roll WHPO-0400 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-0400-, President Nixon standing in front of wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. 2/28/1969, Rome, Italy Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. President Nixon, military guard.

    Roll WHPO-0401 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-0401-, The motorcade to Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and of the assembled military personnel. President Nixon and officials. 2/28/1969, Rome, Italy Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. President Nixon, officials, military personnel.

    Roll WHPO-0402 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-0402-, Exterior view of the Elysee Palace. Guests at the black tie dinner hosted by President Charles de Gaulle and Madame de Gaulle. 2/28/1969, Paris, France Elysee Palace. President Nixon, Charles de Gaulle, William Rogers, unidentified officials and guests.

    Roll WHPO-0403 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-0403-02A-19A, The Elysee palace dinner table, set with tableware, before the arrival of Charles de Gaulle and President Nixon with other guests. Head of state dinner guests seated at guests at the dinner table hosted by Charles de Gaulle. 2/28/1969, Paris, France Elysee Palace. President Nixon, Charles de Gaulle, unidentified officials and guests.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-0403-20/20A-37/37A, Unidentified man brushing his hair at a bathroom mirror. 2/28/1969, Paris, France Unidentified man.

    Roll WHPO-0404 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-0404-02/02A-22/22A, Crowd of well wishers waiting for President Nixon's arrival at the Arc de Triomphe. President Nixon walking among the crowd after the ceremony. 2/28/1969, Paris, France Arc de Triomphe. President Nixon, Ziegler, unidentified officials and press corps.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-0404-24/24A-33/33A, Unidentified men in their hotel(?) room. 2/28/1969, Paris, France Unidentified man.

    Roll WHPO-0405 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-0405-, The Arc de Triomphe. A spectator holding a Stars and Stripes umbrella. 2/28/1969, Paris, France Arc de Triomphe. unidentified persons.

    Roll WHPO-0406 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-0406-02A-17A, President Nixon arrives at Orly Field. President Nixon walking with President Charles de Gaulle and other officials. 2/28/1969, Paris, France Orly Field. President Nixon, Charles de Gaulle, unidentified military and civilian officials, military band.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-0406-18A-36A, Government officials and the crowd at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. President Nixon greets people in the crowd. 2/28/1969, Paris, France Arc de Triomphe. President Nixon, crowd.

    Roll WHPO-0407 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-0407-03-26, President Nixon at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. President Nixon laying a wreath and standing at attention in front of the monument. 2/28/1969, Rome, Italy Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. President Nixon, military honor guard, unidentified officials.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-0407-27-34, press corps and officials watching the approach on the runway of Air Force One (AF1) as it taxis in. President Nixon walking with Charles de Gaulle. 2/28/1969, Paris, France Orly Field. President Nixon, Charles de Gaulle, press corps, military band.

    Roll WHPO-0408 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-0408-, President Nixon walking with Charles de Gaulle on the airport tarmac after his arrival. Military band, honor guard, officials are also on the field. 2/28/1969, Paris, France Orly Field. President Nixon, Charles de Gaulle, unidentified military and civilian officials.

    Roll WHPO-0409 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-0409-, Mr. & Mrs. J. B. West and White House chefs at a small table in a small kitchen. 2/28/1969, Washington, D.C. White House. Mr. J. B. West, Mrs. J. B. West, chefs.

    Roll WHPO-0410 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-0410-, Unidentified man, chefs, talking to Mr. & Mrs. J. B. West in a small kitchen. 2/28/1969, Washington, D.C. White House. Mr. J. B. West, Mrs. J. B. West, chefs, unidentified man.

    Roll WHPO-0411 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-0411-, Portrait of Martin Anderson, taken on White House grounds. 2/28/1969, Washington, D.C. White House Grounds. Martin Anderson.

    Roll WHPO-0412 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-0412-00-04, President Nixon and President Charles de Gaulle stand at attention during his arrival ceremony in Paris while the national anthems are played. (President Nixons has hand over his heart). 2/28/1969, Paris, France Orly Field. President Nixon, President Charles de Gaulle, unidentified officials.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-0412-04A, President Nixon standing at attention, with his hand over his heart, during Charles de Gaulle's arrival ceremony. Charles de Gaulle is at his side. 2/28/1969, Paris, France Orly Field. President Nixon, President Charles de Gaulle, unidentified officials.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-0412-05-06, President Nixon's motorcade arriving at the Quai d'Orsay. 2/28/1969, Paris, France Quai d'Orsay. press corps, unidentified officials.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-0412-07-08, President Nixon laying a wreath at the Arc de Triomphe. 2/28/1969, Paris, France Arc de Triomphe. President Nixon, military and civilian officials, crowd.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-0412-09-15, President Nixon walking among a street crowd. President Nixon standing in his car and waving to the crowd along a street. 2/28/1969, Paris, France various streets. President Nixon, crowd.

    Roll WHPO-0413 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-0413-00-04, President Nixon, Kissinger, and American and Italian officials around a conference table. 2/28/1969, Rome, Italy Chigi Palace. President Nixon, Henry Kissinger, unidentified officials.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-0413-05-06, President Nixon and party ascending stairs outside the Grand Salon. 2/28/1969, Paris, France Orly Field. President Nixon, American and French officials.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-0413-07-21, President Nixon walking among crowds surrounding the Arc de Triomphe and along streets. 2/28/1969, Paris, France streets. President Nixon, press corps, crowd.

    Roll WHPO-0414 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-0414-00A-12A, President Nixon's arrival ceremony on the airport tarmac. President Nixon and Charles de Gaulle standing at a microphone inside the Grand Salon. President Nixon and de Gaulle shaking hands. 2/28/1969, Paris, France Orly Field. President Nixon, Charles de Gaulle, Henry Kissinger, other officials.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-0414-13A-16A, President Nixon leaving the Quay d'Orsay. 2/28/1969, Paris, France Quai d'Orsay. President Nixon, honor guard, officials.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-0414-17A-23A, President Nixon's motorcade driving to the Arc de Triomphe and of the wreath-laying ceremony there. President Nixon pointing while walking. 2/28/1969, Paris, France Arc de Triomphe. President Nixon, unidentified officials, crowd.

    Roll WHPO-0415 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-0415-01A-03A, Quai d'Orsay, exterior view. 2/28/1969, Paris, France Quai d'Orsay. unidentified staff members.

  • 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-690241
      Remarks by President Nixon on Arrival at the Airport in Paris, with President Charles DeGaulle. (2/28/1969, Orly Airport in Paris)

      Runtime: 3:00

      Keywords: 1969 trip to Europe

      Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.
    • WHCA-SR-P-690242
      Exchange of toasts by President DeGaulle and President Nixon at Elysee Palace. (2/28/1969, Elysee Palace, Paris)

      Runtime: 4:11

      Keywords: 1969 trip to Europe

      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-3235
      President Nixon's Arrival in Paris.
      NBC
      Runtime: 0:15
    • WHCA-3236
      Huntley-Brinkley Coverage of the President's Trip.
      NBC
      Runtime: 1:00

Context (External Sources)