May 20, 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 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.

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.

• Statement About Signing the Black Lung Benefits Act of 1972
• Statement About the Cost of Living Council's Quarterly Report on the Economic Stabilization Program
• Chronology of Visit to Austria, the Soviet Union, Iran, and Poland
• Remarks on Departure From Andrews Air Force Base for Austria, the Soviet Union, Iran, and Poland.
• Executive Order 11670—Providing for the Return of Certain Lands to the Yakima Indian Reservation
• Statement on Signing Executive Order Providing for Return of Certain Lands to the Yakima Indian Reservation.

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 Saturday, May 20, 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 20, 1972
• Date search for May 20, 1972

All National Archives Units

• Text search for May 20, 1972
• Date search for May 20, 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 20 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. VIII, Vietnam, January-October 1972

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

• 172. Memorandum From President Nixon to the President’s Deputy Assistant for National Security Affairs (Haig), Washington, May 20, 1972

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 341, Subject Files, HAK/President Memos, 1971. Top Secret; Sensitive; Eyes Only. An information copy was sent to Kissinger.

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

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

• 250. Memorandum From President Nixon to His Deputy Assistant for National Security Affairs (Haig), Washington, May 20, 1972

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, White House Special Files, President’s Personal Files, Box 3, Memoranda From the President. Top Secret; Sensitive; Eyes Only. The memorandum is unsigned. A copy was sent to Kissinger for information.

Vol. XXXII, SALT I, 1969-1972

The Summit and Congressional Approval of the SALT Agreements, May 19-October 4, 1972

• 286. Memorandum From President Nixon to the President’s Deputy Assistant for National Security Affairs (Haig), Washington, May 20, 1972

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 1006, Haig Special File, Presidential Memos to Haig. Top Secret; Sensitive; Eyes Only. The memorandum was sent to Kissinger as an “Information Copy.” The full text of the memorandum is printed in Foreign Relations, 1969–1976, volume XIV, Soviet Union, October 1971–May 1972, Document 250.

• 287. Backchannel Message From the Chief of the Delegation to the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (Smith) to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), Helsinki, May 20, 1972, 1612Z

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 427, Backchannel Files, Backchannel Messages, 1972 SALT. Top Secret; Sensitive; Eyes Only. A copy was sent to Haig.

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

International Environmental Policy

• 321. Memorandum From the Chairman of the Under Secretaries Committee (Irwin) to President Nixon, Washington, May 20, 1972

  Irwin submitted a report of the Under Secretaries Committee on the status of international environmental negotiations as requested by the President.
  Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970-73, SCI 41-3 UN. Confidential. There is no indication that the President approved or disapproved any of the recommendations.

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

Bolivia

• 113. Memorandum From William J. Jorden of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Deputy Assistant for National Security Affairs (Haig), Washington, May 20, 1972., Washington, May 20, 1972

  National Security Council staff member Jorden thought financial support for President Bánzer was important, but feared that direct financial support for the Government of Bolivia might get lost in the bureaucracy, and would not be immediately channeled into productive enterprises. Jorden informed President’s Deputy Assistant for National Security Affairs Haig that he would ask National Security Council staff member Hewitt to come up with options for financial help for Bolivia if the U.S. Government decided to increase its assistance to the nation.
  
  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 770, Country Files, Latin America, Bolivia, Vol. 2, 1970–1974. Secret; Sensitive; Eyes Only. Sent for information; Outside the System. Haig wrote on the bottom of the memorandum, “Let’s get into regular channels—too much for black bag—see Kennedy and CIA Staff Liaison [illegible] Ratliff to see how we can move it.” Attached but not published at Tab A is a May 19 memorandum from Helms to Kissinger. On May 31, Haig informed Helms that Bánzer needed to make his request for assistance to the Embassy. (Ibid.)

Haiti

• 407. Telegram 615 From the Embassy in Haiti to the Department of State, May 20, 1972, 1530Z., May 20, 1972, 1530Z

  Ambassador Knox reported that he met with President Duvalier and cabinet members Luckner J. Cambronne and Adrien Raymond, and they discussed bilateral assistance, given the new administration’s first year record.
  
  Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 15–1 HAI. Confidential; Limdis. Repeated to Bogotá.

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.

White House Telephone

• 24-164; Unknown between 12:00 a.m. & 8:27 a.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); White House operator
• 24-165; 8:27 a.m. - 8:33 a.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Colson, Charles W.
• 24-166; Unknown between 8:33 a.m. & 8:35 a.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); White House operator
• 24-167; 8:35 a.m. - 8:36 a.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Acker, Marjorie P.

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-9109 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-9109-, President Nixon and Pat Nixon arriving at Andrews AFB. Nixon shaking hands with Vice President Agnew and others prior to their departure for Salzburg, Austria the first stop on their trip to Eastern Europe countries and Russia. 5/20/1972, Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland tarmac. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Spiro Agnew, Judy Agnew, members of Congress, Cabinet members, officials, guests.
• Frame(s): WHPO-9109-24, President Nixon and Pat Nixon waving and smiling from the door of Air Force One, prior to their departure from Andrews Air Force Base for Salzburg, Austria, the first stop on their trip to Eastern Europe countries and Russia. 5/20/1972, Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland tarmac. President Nixon, Pat Nixon.

Roll WHPO-9114 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-9114-, President Nixon and Pat Nixon leaving a helicopter and boarding a plane. Nixon shaking hands with officials. 5/20/1972, Andrews AFB, Maryland tarmac. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, officials.

Roll WHPO-9124 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-9124-, Welcoming arrival ceremony for President Nixon and Pat Nixon in Salzburg, Austria. Chancellor and Mrs. Bruno Kreisky and others shaking hands with Nixon. 5/20/1972, Salzburg, Austria airport. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Bruno Kreisky, Mrs. Kreisky, officials, honor guard, crowd.

Roll WHPO-9125 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-9125-, Aerial views of President Nixon's arrival ceremony at the airport in Salzburg, Austria. 5/20/1972, Salzburg, Austria Salzburg airport. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Bruno Kreisky, Mrs. Kreisky, Rudolph Kirchschlaeger, Mrs. Kirchschlaeger, Hans Lechner, Mrs. Lechner, Heinrich Salfenauer, Mrs. Heinrich Salfenauer, John Humes, Mrs. Humes, other unidentified officials, honor guard, crowd.
• Frame(s): WHPO-9125-07, Aerial views of President Nixon's arrival ceremony at the airport in Salzburg, Austria. 5/20/1972, Salzburg, Austria Salzburg airport. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Bruno Kreisky, Mrs. Kreisky, Rudolph Kirchschlaeger, Mrs. Kirchschlaeger, Hans Lechner, Mrs. Lechner, Heinrich Salfenauer, other unidentified officials, honor guard, crowd.
• Frame(s): WHPO-9125-25, Aerial views of President Nixon's arrival ceremony at the airport in Salzburg, Austria. A young boy shakes Mrs. Nixon's hand. 5/20/1972, Salzburg, Austria Salzburg airport. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Bruno Kreisky, Mrs. Kreisky, Rudolph Kirchschlaeger, Mrs. Kirchschlaeger, Hans Lechner, Mrs. Lechner, Heinrich Salfenauer, other unidentified officials, honor guard, children, crowd.

Roll WHPO-9126 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-9126-, President Nixon's arrival ceremony at the airport in Salzburg, Austria. 5/20/1972, Salzburg, Austria Salzburg airport. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Bruno Kreisky, Mrs. Kreisky, officials, honor guard, crowd.
• Frame(s): WHPO-9126-07, Aerial view of President Nixon's arrival ceremony at the airport in Salzburg, Austria. 5/20/1972, Salzburg, Austria Salzburg airport. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Bruno Kreisky, Mrs. Kreisky, Rudolph Kirchschlaeger, Mrs. Kirchschlaeger, Hans Lechner, Mrs. Lechner, Heinrich Salfenauer, other unidentified officials, honor guard, crowd.

Roll WHPO-9127 Photographer: Schumaker, Byron | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-9127-02, President Nixon's arrival ceremony at the airport in Salzburg, Austria. 5/20/1972, Salzburg, Austria airport. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Bruno Kreisky, Mrs. Kreisky, officials, honor guard.

Roll WHPO-9128 Photographer: Schumaker, Byron | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-9128-02-21, President Nixon and Pat Nixon leave Air Force One in Salzburg, Austria. Arrival ceremony greeting by Bruno Kreisky, unidentified officials and two young children. 5/20/1972, Salzburg, Austria Salzburg airport. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Bruno Kreisky, Mrs. Kreisky, Christl Schmidhuber, Matthias Schmidhuber, honor guard, officials, crowd.
• Frame(s): WHPO-9128-15, President Nixon and Pat pictured holding flowers during arrival ceremony. Nixons greeted by Bruno Kreisky, Mrs. Kreisky, unidentified officials and Christl and Matthias Schmidhuber--the children of Mr. Schmidhuber, Chairman of the Folkloristic Dance Group. 5/20/1972, Salzburg, Austria Salzburg airport. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Bruno Kreisky, Mrs. Kreisky, Christl Schmidhuber, Matthias Schmidhuber, honor guard, unidentified officials, crowd.

Roll WHPO-9130 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-9130-03, The Nixons deplaning upon arrival. 5/20/1972, Salzburg, Austria Salzburg airport. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, officials.

The White House Communications Agency Sound Recordings Collection contains public statements that took place between 1969 and 1974. Visit the finding aid to learn more.

P - Formal Presidential Remarks

• WHCA-SR-P-720509
  Remarks by President Nixon at Andrews AFB prior to departure for Salzburg, Austria. (5/20/1972)
  
  Runtime: 4:14
  
  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-5388
  "Agronsky & Company".
  Eastern Educational Network
  Runtime: 00:30:42
• WHCA-5389
  "Total News 7". Nixon's arrival in Salzburg, Austria Secretary of Labor James D. Hodgson.
  WMAL-TV
  Runtime: 01:32:55
• WHCA-5401
  Summary of News Coverage of Nixon's Trip to Russia - Tape 1 [News Summary].
  ALL NETWORKS
  Runtime: 1:30
  
  6. Utley/Rosenfeld: President Nixon leaves Washington to visit USSR. Time Code Start: 10:55. Keywords: Presidents, travel, trips, Nixon trips, international, SALT, S.A.L.T., Strategic Arms Limitation Talks, Russia, Soviet Union, USSR, Cold War, détente. Network: NBC.
  
  7. Utley/: Demonstrations in Salzburg, Germany. Time Code Start: 13:30. Keywords: West Germany, German Student Movement, demonstrations, rally, protesters, demonstraters, demonstrators. Network: NBC.
  
  8. Chancellor: Commentary on President Nixon's trip to Russia. Time Code Start: 15:30. Keywords: Presidents, travel, trips, Nixon trips, international, Moscow, SALT, S.A.L.T., Strategic Arms Limitation Talks, Russia, Soviet Union, USSR, Cold War, détente. Network: NBC.
  
  9. Utley/Valeriani: President Nixon's arrival in Salzburg, Germany. Time Code Start: 16:35. Keywords: Presidents, travel, trips, Nixon trips, international, international, Europe, West Germany. Network: NBC.
  
  10. Dean: President Nixons' arrival in Salzburg, Germany. Time Code Start: 19:00. Keywords: Presidents, travel, trips, Nixon trips, international, international, Europe, West Germany. Network: CBS.
  
  11. Dean/Rather: More on President Nixon in Austria. Time Code Start: 20:00. Keywords: Presidents, travel, trips, Nixon trips, international, international, Europe. Network: CBS.
• WHCA-5403
  Weekly News Summary, Tape I.
  ALL NETWORKS
  Runtime: 1:30
  
  16. Utley/Duke: Demonstration in Washington, D.C. against Russia trip. Time Code Start: 36:20. Keywords: Presidents, travel, trips, Soviet Union, Russia, USSR, demonstrations, rally, protesters, demonstraters, demonstrators. Network: NBC.
  
  17. Utley/Delaney: McGovern in Oregon. Time Code Start: 37:25. Keywords: Presidential elections, campaigns, campaigning, candidates. Network: NBC.
  
  18. Utley/Kiker: Muskie campaigning again. Time Code Start: 39:52. Keywords: Presidential elections, campaigns, campaigning, candidates. Network: NBC.
  
  19. Dean/Webster: Vietnam. Time Code Start: 42:42. Keywords: Vietnam War. Network: CBS.
  
  20. Dean/Serafin: Trici and Vice President; Political bash in Baltimore, Maryland. Time Code Start: 46:37. Keywords: Presidential elections, campaigns, campaigning, candidates. Network: CBS.

• New York Times of May 20, 1972

• AP Images photos from May 20, 1972
• Getty Images photos from May 20, 1972

The Vanderbilt Television News Archive is the world's most extensive and complete archive of television news. They have been recording, preserving and providing access to television news broadcasts of the national networks since August 5, 1968.

• May 1972 Broadcast Index

Wikipedia is a free encyclopedia that anyone can edit.

• May 20, 1972