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July 15, 1969

Introduction

This almanac page for Tuesday, July 15, 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: Monday, July 14, 1969

Next Date: Wednesday, July 16, 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 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.

    Announcements

    • Disaster Assistance for Kansas (5 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 996, July 15, 1969)
      Announcement of Allocation of Funds for Repair of Tornado and Flood Damage.
    • Disaster Assistance for Ohio (5 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 996, July 15, 1969)
      Announcement of Allocation of Funds for Repair of Tornado and Flood Damage.

    Letters, Memorandums, Etc.

    • Apollo 11 (5 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 997, July 15, 1969)
      The President's Telegram to the Astronauts on the Eve of the Launch.

    News Conferences

    • Meeting With the Minority Leadership (5 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 994, July 15, 1969)
      News Briefing by Senator Everett M. Dirksen and Representative Gerald R. Ford Following a Meeting With the President.

    Digest of Other White House Announcements

    Following is a listing of items of general interest which were announced in the press but not made public as formal White House press releases during the period covered by this issue. Appointments requiring Senate approval are not included since they appear in the list of nominations submitted to the Senate, below.

    • Al Kaline, Mickey Stanley, and Tom Tresh of the Detroit Tigers met with the President at the White House. They were accompanied by Senator Robert P. Griffin and Representative Gerald R. Ford of Michigan.
    • The President intends to nominate Lt. Gen. Richard G. Stilwell, USA, for appointment as the Senior United States Army Member of the Military Staff Committee of the United Nations, replacing Lt. Gen. Harry J. Lemley, Jr., who is being reassigned as Chief of Staff of Allied Forces in Southern Europe. General Stilwell also has been designated Deputy Chief of Staff for Military Operations, United States Army, effective August 1, 1969.
    • Members of the Washington-Lee High School crew of Arlington, Va., who won the Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup at Henley-on-Thames on July 5, 1969, visited with the President at the White House.
    • The President today declared a major disaster for Kentucky and made an initial allocation of $200,000 for assistance to the State, including repair or replacement of damaged or destroyed public property following heavy rains and flash flooding in June.

  • 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

    Managing the Department of State

    Vol. XXIX, Eastern Europe, 1969-1972

    Romania

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

    Iran 1969

    • 19. Telegram 116791 From the Department of State to the Embassy in Iran , Washington, July 15, 1969, 2048Z

      In discussions with Secretary Rogers, Ambassador Ansary requested an increase in pilot training slots, and also conveyed the Shah’s displeasure that U.S. technicians had not been allowed to go to western Iranian airfields during the recent Shatt al-Arab crisis with Iraq.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, POL 7 IRAN. Secret; Limdis. Repeated to CINCSTRIKE. Drafted by McClelland and approved by Eliot.

    Vol. E-5, Part 1, Documents on Sub-Saharan Africa, 1969-1972

    Nigerian Civil War

    • 87. Telegram 116458 From the Department of State to the Embassy in Nigeria, Washington, July 15, 1969, 0317Z

      Under Secretary of State Richardson instructed Ambassador Mathews to inform Major General Gowon, Chairman of the Supreme Military Council of Nigeria, when delivering the letter transmitted in telegram 116460, that the United States Government was disturbed at his incitement of public opinion against the United States. Further, if the relief impasse continued much longer, the question of possible new U.S. approaches to the problem would undoubtedly arise.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, POL 27–9 Biafra-Nigeria. Secret; Exdis; Immediate. Drafted by Sherry (AF/W) and Melbourne; cleared in the White House, U, S/S, and by Ferguson and Moore AF; and approved by Richardson.

    • 88. Telegram 116460 From the Department of State to the Embassy in Nigeria, Washington, July 15, 1969, 0321Z

      In a letter to Major General Gowon, Chairman of the Supreme Military Council of Nigeria, President Nixon urged the Federal Military Government (FMG) leader to permit an immediate resumption of relief flights by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and religious voluntary agencies and implementation of the Cross River relief corridor.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, POL 27–9 Biafra-Nigeria. Secret; Exdis; Immediate. Drafted by Faville (AF/W); cleared in S/S, the White House, U, U/CF and by Moore; and approved by Richardson.

    • 89. Telegram 116456 From the Department of State to the Embassy in France and the U.S. Mission in Geneva, Washington, July 15, 1969, 0313Z

      The Department transmitted a letter in which President Nixon urged Ivory Coast President Houphouet-Boigny to encourage Biafran authorities to agree to a prompt resumption of relief flights and realization of the Cross River corridor.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, POL 27–9 Biafra-Nigeria. Secret; Exdis; Immediate. Drafted by Sherry (AF/W); cleared in S/S, AF, the White House, AF/CW, EUR/FBX, U/CF and U; and approved by Richardson.

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

    Panama

    • 521. Memorandum From Secretary of State Rogers to President Nixon, Washington, July 15, 1969. , Washington, July 15, 1969

      Secretary of State Rogers reviewed the Panama Review Group’s terms for initiating Panama Canal negotiations. The most important topics included the issue of negotiating with the unconstitutional government in Panama City, the findings of the Atlantic-Pacific Interoceanic Canal Study Commission, and the expiration of U.S. rights to the Rio Hato Military Training Area.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 790, Country Files, Latin America, Panama, Vol. 1, January 1969–February 28, 1970. Secret. Rogers’ signed WPR above his typeset signature. Neither approval nor disapproval was checked, but the President indicated his approval in Document 524. Attached but not published is the enclosed memorandum.

    Soccer War

    • 644. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon, Washington, July 15, 1969. , Washington, July 15, 1969

      President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs Kissinger reported that El Salvador had initiated air attacks against Honduras. Indicating that the United States had supported mediation throughout the crisis, Kissinger recommended continued support for OAS efforts to achieve a ceasefire and negotiate an end to the dispute.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 786, Country Files, Latin America, Honduras–El Salvador Dispute. Confidential. Sent for information. A stamped notation on the memorandum indicates the President saw it. Attached but not published at Tab A is factual data on El Salvador and Honduras and at Tab B is a map of the two countries. In an undated and un-initialed memorandum to Nixon, Kissinger reported that on July 15 the OAS Council passed a resolution calling for the immediate cessation of hostilities and “the restoration of the situation to what it was before hostilities broke out.” (Ibid.)

  • 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-1551 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-1551-02-14, President Nixon standing with Rep. Gerald Ford and Detroit Tigers players Al Kaline, Tom Tresh, and Mickey Stanley. 7/15/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Gerald Ford, Al Kaline, Tom Tresh, Mickey Stanley.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1551-09, President Nixon standing with Rep. Gerald Ford and Detroit Tigers players Al Kaline, Tom Tresh, and Mickey Stanley. 7/15/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Gerald Ford, Al Kaline, Tom Tresh, Mickey Stanley.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1551-15-26, President Nixon standing with members of the Washington-Lee High School rowing crew of Arlington, Virginia. Winners of the Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup rowing event at Henley-on-Thames July 5 defeating the Emanuel School of London. 7/15/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Rose Garden. President Nixon, Coach Charles Butt. Torn Chisnell. Dirk Ringers. Bill Volkart. Chris Gordon. Martin Buettner. Larry Davis. Bill Wilber. Kevin Smith. Jim Storie.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1551-17, President Nixon standing with members of the Washington-Lee High School rowing crew of Arlington, Virginia. Winners of the Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup rowing event at Henley-on-Thames July 5 defeating the Emanuel School of London. 7/15/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Rose Garden. President Nixon, Coach Charles Butt. Torn Chisnell. Dirk Ringers. Bill Volkart. Chris Gordon. Martin Buettner. Larry Davis. Bill Wilber. Kevin Smith. Jim Storie.

    Roll WHPO-1552 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-1552-02A-17A, President Nixon standing with Rep. Gerald Ford and Detroit Tigers players Al Kaline, Tom Tresh, and Mickey Stanley. 7/15/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Gerald Ford, Al Kaline, Tom Tresh, Mickey Stanley (baseball).

    Roll WHPO-1553 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-1553-02-29, President Nixon with the Washington-Lee High School crew. 7/15/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Rose Garden. Charles Butt, President Nixon, Jim Storie, Tom Chisnell, Martin Buettner, Kevin Smith, Bill Wilber, Chris Gordon, Bill Volkart, Larry Davis, Dirk Ringers.

    Roll WHPO-1556 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-1556-, Julie Eisenhower on the White House grounds with children from the "Summer in the Park" program. 7/15/1969, Washington, D.C. White House grounds. Julie Eisenhower, children, aides.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1556-30A, Julie Eisenhower on the White House grounds walking and speaking with children from the "Summer in the Park" program. 7/15/1969, Washington, D.C. White House grounds. Julie Eisenhower, "Summer in the Park" children.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1556-34A, Group shot of Julie Eisenhower on the White House grounds with children from the "Summer in the Park" program. 7/15/1969, Washington, D.C. White House grounds. Julie Eisenhower, "Summer in the Park" children, aides.

    Roll WHPO-1557 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-1557-, Julie Eisenhower at the White House with children from the "Summer in the Park" program. 7/15/1969, Washington, D.C. White House grounds and various rooms. Julie Eisenhower, children, aides.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1557-05A, Julie Eisenhower inside the White House with children from the "Summer in the Park" program, looking at flowering plants. 7/15/1969, Washington, D.C. White House grounds and various rooms. Julie Eisenhower, children, aides.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1557-20A, Julie Eisenhower inside the White House with children from the "Summer in the Park" program. 7/15/1969, Washington, D.C. White House grounds and various rooms. Julie Eisenhower, children, aides.

  • 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-690709
      President Nixon's telephone call to Apollo 11 astronauts Armstrong, Collins, and Aldrin at Cape Kennedy. (7/15/1969, Oval Office, the White House)

      Runtime: 0:06:05

      Keywords: NASA, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, space program, astronauts

      Production credits: Audio feed supplied by WHCA; Recorded by WHCA

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

Context (External Sources)