May 18, 1972

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 Camp David, Maryland

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.

• Special Message to the Congress Proposing the Allied Services Act of 1972
• Statement About Increased Attention to the Arts and Design in Enhancing Federal Buildings and Publications

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 Thursday, May 18, 1972

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

• Senate: May 18, 1972
• House of Representatives: May 18, 1972
• Extensions of Remarks: May 18, 1972

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.

• Transcript of diary entry (PDF)
• Original audio recording (MP3)

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 May 18, 1972
• Date search for May 18, 1972

All National Archives Units

• Text search for May 18, 1972
• Date search for May 18, 1972

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 18 May 1972

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

• 273. Memorandum From President Nixon to his Assistant (Haldeman), Washington, May 18, 1972

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, White House Special Files, President’s Personal Files, Box 4, Memoranda from the President, 1969–1974, Memos—May 1972. No classification marking. A copy was sent to Malek.

Managing the Department of State

• 344. Letter From Secretary of State Rogers to Secretary of Defense Laird, Washington, May 18, 1972

  Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, ORG 1. Confidential. Drafted by Thomas Pickering, Deputy Director of PM, on May 8 and redrafted by Johnson on May 15. Cleared by Springsteen, Moore, Green, Sisco, Meyer, and Nelson.

Vol. VIII, Vietnam, January-October 1972

The North Vietnamese Offensive Falters, Negotiations Resume, May 8-July 18, 1972

• 157. Message From the Commander, Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (Abrams) to the Commander in Chief, Pacific (McCain), Saigon, May 18, 1972, 0305Z

  Source: National Archives, RG 218, Records of the Chairman, Records of Thomas Moorer, Box 62, COMUSMACV General Service Messages, May 16–31, 1972. Top Secret; Immediate; Specat; Exclusive. Repeated to Moorer; Commander, Strategic Air Command, General John C. Meyer; and Commander, 8th Air Force, Lieutenant General Gerald W. Johnson.

• 158. Diary Entry by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (Moorer), Washington, May 18, 1972, 10:03 a.m.

  Source: National Archives, RG 218, Records of the Chairman, Moorer Diary, July 1970–July 1974. Top Secret.

• 159. Memorandum From President Nixon to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), Washington, May 18, 1972

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 341, Subject Files, HAK/President Memos, 1971. No classification marking.

• 160. Memorandum From President Nixon to the President’s Deputy Assistant for National Security Affairs (Haig), Washington, May 18, 1972

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 341, Subject Files, HAK/President Memos, 1971. Top Secret; Eyes Only.

• 161. Memorandum From the Special Assistant for Vietnamese Affairs, Central Intelligence Agency (Carver), to John H. Holdridge of the National Security Council Staff, Washington, May 18, 1972

  Source: Central Intelligence Agency, Files of the Deputy Director for Intelligence, Job 80–B01720R, Box 7, GAC [George A. Carver] Chronology, May–June 1972. Secret; Sensitive. Copies were sent to Sullivan, Lieutenant General Knowles, Rear Admiral Flanagan, Brigadier General Manor, and Mr. Crane.

• 162. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon, Washington, May 18, 1972

  Source: Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Kissinger Papers, Box TS 5, Chronological File, May 1972. Secret; Sensitive. Sent for information. Haig initialed for Kissinger. A stamped notation on the memorandum indicates the President saw it.

Vol. XIV, Soviet Union, October 1971-May 1972

Nixon at the Summit, May 13-May 31, 1972

• 241. Memorandum From Secretary of State Rogers to President Nixon, Washington, May 18, 1972

  Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL US–USSR. Secret; Nodis. Drafted by Matlock on May 17 and cleared by Davies.

• 242. Memorandum for the President’s File From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), Camp David, May 18, 1972, 8:30 a.m.

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 494, President’s Trip Files, Dobrynin/Kissinger, 1972, Vol. 12, Part 2. Top Secret; Sensitive; Exclusively Eyes Only. According to the President’s Daily Diary, this breakfast meeting took place from 8:44 to 9:50 a.m. (Ibid., White House Central Files)

• 243. Memorandum of Conversation, Camp David, May 18, 1972

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 494, President’s Trip Files, Dobrynin/Kissinger, 1972, Vol. 12, Part 2. Top Secret; Sensitive; Exclusively Eyes Only. According to the President’s Daily Diary, the President was present for the first 10 minutes of this meeting, from 9:50 to 10 a.m. (Ibid., White House Central Files)

• 244. Conversation Between President Nixon and his Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), Camp David, May 18, 1972

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, White House Tapes, Camp David, Conversation No. 191–18. No classification marking. According to his Daily Diary, Nixon met with Kissinger from 12:25 to 12:45 p.m. The editors transcribed the portion of the conversation printed here specifically for this volume.

Vol. XX, Southeast Asia, 1969-1972

Thailand

• 165. Telegram From Vice President Agnew to the Department of State, Bangkok, May 18, 1972

  Source: National Archives, RG 59, Conference Files, 1971–1972: Lot 73 D 323, Visit of Agnew to Asia. Secret; Immediate; Priority. Repeated to Bangkok and Saigon. Printed from a copy with no transmittal time; a handwritten notation at the top of page 1 reads “CINCPAC # 1822212 May 72,” and later telegrams reference this number. However, no copy of CINCPAC 1822212 has been found.

Vol. XXIII, Arab-Israeli Dispute, 1969-1972

Proximity Talks and the Backchannel: Separate Department of State and White House Negotiating Tricks

• 288. Memorandum From Director of Central Intelligence Helms to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), Washington, May 18, 1972

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Kissinger Office Files, Box 131, Country Files, Middle East. Secret; Sensitive. All brackets are in the original except those indicating text that remains classified.

Vol. XXIV, Middle East Region and Arabian Peninsula, 1969-1972; Jordan, September 1970

Saudi Arabia

• 158. Briefing Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs (Sisco) to Secretary of State Rogers, Washington, May 18, 1972

  Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 7 SAUD. Confidential. Drafted by Wrampelmeier and Dickman and concurred in by Atherton.

Vol. E-1, Documents on Global Issues, 1969-1972

International Cooperation in Space, 1969-1972

• 280. Memorandum From the President’s Science Adviser (David) to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) and the President’s Assistant (Flanigan), Washington, May 18, 1972

  David commented on points made by Rogers in his April 29 memorandum to the President. He suggested that the U.S. Government could accept the Europeans if their role was limited to RAM and Sortie payload modules; eaving open the possibility of participation in the Space Tug would only create “false hopes.”
  
  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 393, Subject Files, Space Programs, 1972. No classification marking. Rogers’ memorandum is Document 279.

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

Iran 1972

• 195. Memorandum From the Deputy Secretary of Defense (Rush) to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), Washington, May 18, 1972

  Rush provided Kissinger with talking papers on the Defense Department position on the Shah’s military requests.
  
  Source: Washington National Records Center, OASD Files, (C) (A), FRC 330–77–0094, Iran 1972, Iran 452. Confidential.

• 196. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon, Washington, May 18, 1972

  Kissinger gave the President a briefing packet on his upcoming talks with the Shah.
  
  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 481, Presidential Trip Files, Iran Visit. Secret; Sensitive. Sent for Action. Tab B is published as Document 185. Tabs C and D were not published. A stamp on the document indicated “the President has seen.” In the margin of page 3, tab A, next to a paragraph on the U.S. naval force in the Persian Gulf, the President wrote, “K—increase it.”

Iraq 1972

• 308. Briefing Paper Prepared for President Nixon, Washington, May 18, 1972

  The briefing paper provided a summary of Iraqi history and current politics prior to the President’s trip to the region.
  
  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 479, Presidential Trip Files, Briefing Book, Visit of Nixon to Iran, May 1972. Secret.

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

Ecuador

• 314. Memorandum From the Executive Secretary of the Department of State (Eliot) to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), Washington, May 18, 1972., Washington, May 18, 1972

  Executive Secretary Eliot outlined the Department of State’s strategy to get Ecuador to compromise on its 200-mile territorial sea limit. The Department of State would release development assistance loans which had been held under review, and begin “quiet, informal” talks.
  
  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 784, Country Files, Ecuador, Vol. 1, 1969–1970. Confidential. RH Miller signed for Eliot above Eliot’s typeset signature. Attached but not published is a May 22 covering memorandum to Kissinger, in which Hewitt stated, “Essentially the strategy is to use the fisheries agreement recently concluded with Brazil as a lever to pry Ecuador loose from its hardline position on 200-mile territorial limits while at the same time dangling a carrot in terms of potential economic development and military assistance.”

Vol. E-16, Documents on Chile, 1969-1973

Cool and Correct: The U.S. Response to the Allende Administration, November 5, 1970-December 31, 1972

• 112. Memorandum From William J. Jorden of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), Washington, May 18, 1972

  Summary: In this memorandum, Jorden informed Kissinger of an assassination threat against Allende and examined the potential political crisis looming on the horizon.
  
  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 776, Country Files, Latin America, Chile, Vol. VII. Secret; Sensitive. Sent for information.

• 113. Memorandum From William J. Jorden and Richard T. Kennedy of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), Washington, May 18, 1972

  Summary: In this memorandum, Jorden and Kennedy discussed the level of foreign military sales for Chile in fiscal year 1972. They noted that the SRG members agreed that $10 million was an adequate sum for FY 1972.
  
  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 776, Country Files, Latin America, Chile, Vol. VII. Secret. Sent for action. Haig signed the memorandum for Kissinger. Tab A, a May 19 memorandum from Kissinger to the Secretaries of Defense and State informing them that President Nixon reviewed the recommendations of the SRG at its April 11 meeting and approved “up to $10 million” of FMS for Chile, is attached but not published. For the minutes of the SRG meeting, see Foreign Relations, 1969–1976, vol. XXI, Chile, 1969–1973, Document 298.

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.

Visit the White House Tapes finding aid to learn about the taping system's operation and archival processing.

Camp David Hard Wire

• 188-1; Unknown between 5:20 p.m. & 5:30 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Camp David Operator
• 188-2; 5:30 p.m. - 5:34 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Haldeman, H. R. ("Bob")
• 188-3; Unknown between 5:34 p.m. & 5:44 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Butterfield, Alexander P.
• 188-4; Unknown between 5:34 p.m. & 5:44 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Kaye, Beverly J.
• 188-5; Unknown between 5:34 p.m. & 5:44 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Camp David Operator
• 188-6; 5:44 p.m. - 5:45 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Haldeman, H. R. ("Bob")
• 188-7; Unknown between 5:45 p.m. & 5:55 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Camp David Operator
• 188-8; 5:55 p.m. - 5:56 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Haldeman, H. R. ("Bob")
• 188-9; Unknown between 5:56 p.m. & 8:22 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Haldeman, H. R. ("Bob"); Kissinger, Henry A.
• 188-10; Unknown between 5:56 p.m. & 8:22 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Ehrlichman, John D.
• 188-11; Unknown between 5:56 p.m. & 8:22 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Colson, Charles W.
• 188-12; Unknown between 5:56 p.m. & 8:22 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Haldeman, H. R. ("Bob")
• 188-13; Unknown between 5:56 p.m., 5/18 & 11:59 p.m., 11/21; [Unknown person(s)]
• 188-14; Unknown between 5:56 p.m., 5/18 & 11:59 p.m., 11/21; [Unknown person(s)]; Camp David Operator; McLenden, Kenneth T.
• 191-1; Unknown between 10:05 a.m. & 10:10 a.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); [Unknown person(s)]
• 191-2; Unknown between 10:05 a.m. & 10:10 a.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Camp David Operator
• 191-3; 10:10 a.m. - 10:33 a.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Colson, Charles W.
• 191-4; Unknown between 10:33 a.m. & 10:58 a.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Camp David Operator
• 191-5; 10:58 a.m. - 11:08 a.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Haldeman, H. R. ("Bob")
• 191-6; Unknown between 11:08 a.m. & 11:22 a.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); [Unknown person(s)]
• 191-7; Unknown between 11:08 a.m. & 11:22 a.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Camp David Operator
• 191-8; 11:22 a.m. - 11:23 a.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Haldeman, H. R. ("Bob")
• 191-9; Unknown between 11:23 a.m. & 11:24 a.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Camp David Operator
• 191-10; 11:24 a.m. - 11:26 a.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Haldeman, H. R. ("Bob")
• 191-11; 11:34 a.m. - 11:37 a.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Shultz, George P.
• 191-12; Unknown between 11:37 a.m. & 11:38 a.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Camp David Operator
• 191-13; 11:38 a.m. - 11:42 a.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Woods, Rose Mary
• 191-14; Unknown between 11:42 a.m. & 11:44 a.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Camp David Operator
• 191-15; 11:44 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Haldeman, H. R. ("Bob")
• 191-16; Unknown between 11:45 a.m. & 11:48 a.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Camp David Operator
• 191-17; 11:48 a.m. - 11:50 a.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Nixon, Thelma C. ("Pat") (Ryan)
• 191-18; 12:25 p.m. - 12:45 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Kissinger, Henry A.; Camp David Operator; Haldeman, H. R. ("Bob")

Camp David Study Desk

• 170-1; Unknown between 12:01 a.m., 5/18 & 11:49 p.m., 11/14; [Unknown person(s)]
• 170-2; Unknown between 12:01 a.m., 5/18 & 11:49 p.m., 11/14; [Unknown person(s)]; Camp David Operator

Camp David Study Table

• 130-1; Unknown between 5:20 p.m. & 5:30 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Camp David Operator
• 130-2; 5:30 p.m. - 5:34 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Haldeman, H. R. ("Bob")
• 130-3; Unknown between 5:34 p.m. & 5:44 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Camp David Operator
• 130-4; 5:44 p.m. - 5:45 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Haldeman, H. R. ("Bob")
• 130-5; Unknown between 5:45 p.m. & 5:55 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Camp David Operator
• 130-6; 5:55 p.m. - 5:56 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Haldeman, H. R. ("Bob")
• 130-7; Unknown between 5:56 p.m., 5/18 & 11:59 p.m., 12/22; [Unknown person(s)]; Camp David Operator
• 130-8; Unknown between 5:56 p.m., 5/18 & 11:59 p.m., 1/3; [Unknown person(s)]; Camp David Operator; McLenden, Kenneth T.; Mahaffey, Robert
• 130-9; Unknown between 12:01 a.m. & 5:30 p.m.; [Unknown person(s)]
• 131-23; 7:59 a.m. - 8:05 a.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Haldeman, H. R. ("Bob")
• 131-24; Unknown between 10:05 a.m. & 10:10 a.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Camp David Operator
• 131-25; 10:10 a.m. - 10:33 a.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Colson, Charles W.
• 131-26; Unknown between 10:33 a.m. & 10:58 a.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Camp David Operator
• 131-27; 10:58 a.m. - 11:08 a.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Haldeman, H. R. ("Bob")
• 131-28; Unknown between 11:08 a.m. & 11:22 a.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Camp David Operator
• 131-29; 11:22 a.m. - 11:23 a.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Haldeman, H. R. ("Bob")
• 131-30; Unknown between 11:23 a.m. & 11:24 a.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Camp David Operator
• 131-31; 11:24 a.m. - 11:26 a.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Haldeman, H. R. ("Bob")
• 131-32; 11:34 a.m. - 11:37 a.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Camp David Operator; Shultz, George P.
• 131-33; Unknown between 11:37 a.m. & 11:38 a.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Camp David Operator
• 131-34; 11:38 a.m. - 11:42 a.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Woods, Rose Mary
• 131-35; Unknown between 11:42 a.m. & 11:42 a.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Camp David Operator
• 131-36; 11:44 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Haldeman, H. R. ("Bob")
• 131-37; Unknown between 11:45 a.m. & 11:48 a.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Camp David Operator
• 131-38; 11:48 a.m. - 11:50 a.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Nixon, Thelma C. ("Pat") (Ryan)
• 131-39; Unknown between 12:25 p.m. & 12:33 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Camp David Operator; Kissinger, Henry A.
• 131-40; 12:33 p.m. - 12:34 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Haldeman, H. R. ("Bob")
• 132-1; Unknown between 12:00 a.m., 5/18 & 11:49 p.m., 4/20; Beckman, Bill; [Unknown person(s)]
• 132-2; Unknown between 12:00 a.m., 5/18 & 11:49 p.m., 4/20; Beckman, Bill; Camp David Operator
• 132-3; Unknown between 12:00 a.m., 5/18 & 11:49 p.m., 4/20; Beckman, Bill; Camp David Operator
• 132-4; Unknown between 12:00 a.m., 5/18 & 11:49 p.m., 4/20; [Unknown person(s)]
• 132-5; Unknown between 12:00 a.m., 5/18 & 11:49 p.m., 5/1; Beckman, Bill; [Unknown person(s)]
• 132-6; Unknown between 12:00 a.m., 5/18 & 11:49 p.m., 5/3; Beckman, Bill; Camp David Operator
• 132-7; Unknown between 12:00 a.m., 5/18 & 11:49 p.m., 4/20; Beckman, Bill; Camp David Operator
• 132-8; Unknown between 12:00 a.m., 5/18 & 11:49 p.m., 5/5; Beckman, Bill; [Unknown person(s)]
• 132-9; Unknown between 12:00 a.m., 5/18 & 11:49 p.m., 5/8; Beckman, Bill; Camp David Operator
• 132-10; Unknown between 12:00 a.m., 5/18 & 11:49 p.m., 5/8; Beckman, Bill; Roche, Donald
• 132-11; Unknown between 12:00 a.m., 5/18 & 11:49 p.m., 5/8; Beckman, Bill; Camp David Operator
• 132-12; Unknown between 12:00 a.m., 5/18 & 11:49 p.m., 5/8; Beckman, Bill; Roche, Donald
• 132-13; Unknown between 12:00 a.m., 5/18 & 11:49 p.m., 5/8; Beckman, Bill; [Unknown person(s)]
• 132-14; Unknown between 12:00 a.m., 5/18 & 11:49 p.m., 5/8; [Unknown person(s)]
• 132-15; Unknown between 12:00 a.m., 5/18 & 11:49 p.m., 5/8; [Unknown person(s)]; Camp David Operator
• 132-16; Unknown between 12:00 a.m., 5/18 & 11:49 p.m., 5/8; [Unknown person(s)]; Camp David Operator
• 132-17; Unknown between 12:00 a.m., 5/18 & 11:49 p.m., 5/8; Beckman, Bill; Camp David Operator
• 132-18; Unknown between 12:00 a.m., 5/18 & 11:49 p.m., 5/8; Beckman, Bill; [Unknown person(s)]
• 132-19; Unknown between 12:00 a.m., 5/18 & 11:49 p.m., 5/8; Beckman, Bill; Camp David Operator
• 132-20; Unknown between 12:00 a.m., 5/18 & 11:49 p.m., 5/8; Beckman, Bill; [Unknown person(s)]
• 132-21; Unknown between 12:00 a.m., 5/18 & 11:49 p.m., 5/8; [Unknown person(s)]; Camp David Operator
• 132-22; Unknown between 12:00 a.m., 5/18 & 11:49 p.m., 5/8; [Unknown person(s)]
• 132-23; Unknown between 12:00 a.m., 5/18 & 11:49 p.m., 5/8; [Unknown person(s)]; Camp David Operator
• 132-24; Unknown between 12:00 a.m., 5/18 & 11:49 p.m., 5/8; [Unknown person(s)]
• 132-25; Unknown between 12:00 a.m., 5/18 & 11:49 p.m., 5/8; [Unknown person(s)]; Camp David Operator
• 132-26; Unknown between 12:00 a.m., 5/18 & 11:49 p.m., 5/8; Beckman, Bill; Camp David Operator
• 132-27; Unknown between 12:00 a.m., 5/18 & 11:49 p.m., 5/16; Beckman, Bill; [Unknown person(s)]

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-9084 Photographer: Schumaker, Byron | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-9084-, Harry Dent standing with a group of Russian Americans. 5/18/1972, Washington, D.C. unknown. Harry Dent, Russian American men and woman.

Roll WHPO-9101 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-9101-, Vice President Agnew shaking hands with officials and waving before leaving. 5/18/1972, Bangkok, Thailand airport. Agnew, 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.

G - Cabinet Officer Briefings

• WHCA-SR-G-168
  Press briefing by Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare Elliot Richardson. (5/18/1972, Press Center)
  
  Runtime: 47:55:00
  
  Production credits: Audio feed supplied by WHCA; Recorded by CEW (initials of WHCA engineer)
  
  Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.

H - White House Staff Member Recordings

• WHCA-SR-H-573
  Briefing by Mr. Meade. (5/18/1972, Family Theater, White House)
  
  Runtime: 30:50:00
  
  Keywords: Briefings, public briefings, statements to the press (see also Press conferences, news conferences, interviews, media)
  
  Production credits: Audio feed supplied by WHCA; Recorded by JMM (initials of WHCA engineer)
  
  Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.
• WHCA-SR-H-574
  Briefing by Herb Stein. (5/18/1972, Room 160, Executive Office Building)
  
  Runtime: 25:00:00
  
  Keywords: Briefings, public briefings, statements to the press (see also Press conferences, news conferences, interviews, media)
  
  Production credits: Audio feed supplied by WHCA; Recorded by GET (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-5385
  Weekly News Summary, Tape III.
  ALL NETWORKS
  Runtime: 01:23:02
  
  28. Reasoner/Bell: Report on Governor George Wallace's condition (Mrs. Wallace, Billy Joe Camp). Time Code Start: 64:08. Keywords: Governors, Presidential elections, campaigns, primaries, candidates, reports, assassinations, shootings. Network: ABC.
  
  29. Reasoner/Matney/Donaldson: McGovern and Humphrey in California. Time Code Start: 67:10. Keywords: Presidential elections, campaigns, campaigning, primaries, candidates, voting, speeches. Network: ABC.
  
  30. Reasoner/Brannigan: Vietnam war; Kontum. Time Code Start: 70:35. Keywords: Vietnam War. Network: ABC.
  
  31. Reasoner/Clark: Former Secretary of Defense Clark Clifford testifies before House committee. Time Code Start: 73:44. Keywords: cabinet, advisors, military, Vietnam War, testimony, consulations. Network: ABC.
  
  32. Reasoner/Wordham: Film of captured American POWs. Time Code Start: 76:15. Keywords: Vietnam War, Vietnam Prisoner of War. Network: ABC.
  
  33. Reasoner/Koppel: More on Moscow summit. Time Code Start: 78:09. Keywords: SALT, S.A.L.T., Strategic Arms Limitation Talks, Russia, Soviet Union, USSR, Cold War, détente, summits, meetings. Network: ABC.
  
  34. Reasoner: Commentary on the not-so-good old days. Time Code Start: 79:50. Keywords: American, history, retrospectives, reports. Network: ABC.
• WHCA-5386
  Weekly News Summary, Tape IIII.
  ALL NETWORKS
  Runtime: 00:34:49
  
  1. Chancellor/Russel: South Vietnamese near An Loc; Film of POWs (Lt. Comm. David Hoffman). Time Code Start: 00:00. Keywords: Vietnam War, Vietnam Prisoner of War. Network: NBC.
  
  2. Chancellor/Clark: Former Secretary of Defense Clark Clifford tells Senate Committee how to end war. Time Code Start: 03:44. Keywords: cabinet, advisors, military, Vietnam War, testimony, consulations. Network: NBC.
  
  3. Chancellor/Mackin: Governor George Wallace undergoes physical therapy; James Galbraith, Mrs. Wallace. Time Code Start: 05:56. Keywords: Governors, Presidential elections, campaigns, primaries, candidates, reports, assassinations, shootings. Network: NBC.
  
  4. Chancellor/Utley/Perkins: Hubert Humphrey and McGovern in California with Mrs. Coretta Scott King (Mrs. Martin Luther King, Jr.); House cuts United Nations (U.N.) budget by 30 million. Time Code Start: 08:50. Keywords: Presidential elections, campaigns, campaigning, African Americans, activists, civil rights, leaders, organization of nations, intergovernmental alliance, budgets, decreases. Network: NBC.
  
  5. Chancellor/Hager: President Nixon meets with Russian ambassador to discuss trade. Time Code Start: 13:42. Keywords: Soviet Union, Russia, USSR. Network: NBC.
  
  6. Cronkite/Dick: Mrs. Wallace (George Wallace) greets newsmen and says campaign is on. Time Code Start: 16:47. Keywords: Governors, families, wives, media, the press, newspapers, editors, reporters, journalists, press conferences, interviews, Presidential elections, campaigns, candidates, assassinations, shootings. Network: CBS.
  
  7. Cronkite/Williams: Mr. Bremer talks about son. Time Code Start: 19:50. Keywords: Governors, Presidential elections, campaigns, primaries, candidates, reports, assassinations, shootings. Network: CBS.
  
  8. Cronkite: Vietnam; film of American POWs. Time Code Start: 22:39. Keywords: Vietnam War, Vietnam Prisoner of War. Network: CBS.
  
  9. Cronkite/Shaw: Secretary of State Rogers and Russians sign seabed treaty. Time Code Start: 27:40. Keywords: Soviet Union, Russia, USSR. Network: CBS.
  
  10. Cronkite/Sevareid: Fortune telling for campaign '72. Time Code Start: 29:35. Keywords: Presidential elections, campaigns, campaigning, candidates. Network: CBS.

• New York Times of May 18, 1972

• AP Images photos from May 18, 1972
• Getty Images photos from May 18, 1972

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• May 1972 Broadcast Index

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• May 18, 1972