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October 23, 1969

Introduction

This almanac page for Thursday, October 23, 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: Wednesday, October 22, 1969

Next Date: Friday, October 24, 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.

    Addresses and Remarks

    • Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs (5 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 1458, October 23, 1969)
      Remarks of the President; John E. Ingersoll, Director of the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs; Robert H. Finch, Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare; Art Linkletter; and Other Participants in a Bipartisan Leadership Meeting at the White House.

    Appointments and Nominations

    Congress, Communications to

    • United States Merchant Marine (5 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 1480, October 23, 1969)
      The President's Message to the Congress Announcing a New Maritime Program for the Nation.

    Meetings With Foreign Leaders

    • Visit of the Shah of Iran (5 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 1479, October 23, 1969)
      Exchange of Remarks Between the President and His Imperial Majesty at Departure Ceremonies at the White House.

    News Conferences

    • Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs (5 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 1474, October 23, 1969)
      News Briefing by John E. Ingersoll, Director of the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs, Senator Roman L. Hruska, and Art Linkletter Following the Bipartisan Leadership Meeting at the White House.

    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.

    • Announcement of message to Congress on the United States Merchant Marine.
    • Press conference of Rocco C. Siciliano, Under Secretary of Commerce, and Andrew E. Gibson, Federal Maritime Administrator, on the message to Congress concerning the U.S. Merchant Marine.

    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.

    • The President met with a delegation from the Atlantic Treaty Association.
    • The President met with Rogers C. B. Morton, Mrs. Elly Peterson, and James Allison of the Republican National Committee.

    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.

    • PHILIP C. WILKINS, of California, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of California, vice Sherrill Halbert, retired.

  • 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.

  • Argued

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. IV, Foreign Assistance, International Development, Trade Policies, 1969-1972

    Trade and Commerce, 1969-1972

    Vol. XIX, Part 1, Korea, 1969-1972

    North Korean Shootdown of a U.S. Reconnaissance Flight and Contingency Planning, January-November 1969

    Vol. XXI, Chile, 1969-1973

    A "Noisy Democracy": The Decline of Eduardo Frei, January-December 1969

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

    Iran 1969

    • 37. Memorandum From the Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon, Washington, October 23, 1969

      Kissinger recommended that Nixon encourage the Shah to aid in U.S. efforts to reduce the global heroin supply.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 601, Country Files, Middle East, Iran, Vol. I, 1/20/69–5/31/70. Confidential. According to the President’s Daily Diary, he met with the Shah from 10:55 to 11:17 a.m. on October 23, along with Kissinger, and later, briefly Rogers. No other record of the farewell talk was found. (Ibid., White House Central Files) In Telegram 203729 to Tehran, December 8, the Department requested background information in order to devise a proper approach on Iranian opium production. (Ibid., RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, SOC 11–5 IRAN.) In Airgram A–5 to the Department, January 7, 1970, the Embassy reported that the Iranian Council of Ministers had allocated 6200 hectares for poppy planting. (Ibid., INCO DRUGS IRAN.) In telegram 211 from Geneva, January 20, 1970, the U.S. delegation to the UN recommended that the Department refrain from open criticism of Iran’s opium production, hoping that in return Iran might agree not to export its crops. (Ibid.)

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

    Bolivia

    • 82. Telegram 7658 From the Embassy in Bolivia to the Department of State, October 23, 1969, 1605Z. , October 23, 1969, 1605Z

      As instructed in State telegram 178650, Ambassador Siracusa expressed concern to General Ovando about the deterioration of United States-Bolivian relations. The Ambassador told the President the U.S. Government was reviewing its assistance programs toward Bolivia.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, POL 15–1 BOL. Confidential; Limdis. Repeated to Lima, USCINCSO, and AMCONSUL Cochabamba.

  • 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-2235 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2235-01-14, Cabinet Room meeting of the Bi-Partisan Leadership on Narcotics (drugs) TV personality Art Linkletter as a special guest. Press Cameramen and photographers crowd in record the event. 10/23/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Cabinet Room. President Nixon, Mike Mansfield, Carl Albert, Robert Griffin, Gerald Ford, John McCormack, John Ehrlichman, Daniel Patrick Moynihan, Charles B. Wilkinson, Bryce N. Harlow, Kenneth E. BeLieu, Egil Krogh, Art Linkletter, Thomas J. Dodd, Ralph Yarborough, Harold E. Hughes, Wilbur Mills, William H. Ayres, Emanuel Celler, Richard H. Poff, William E. Timmons, Lamar Alexander, Leonard Garment, Ronald L. Ziegler, John Campbell, Jeb McGruder, Robert Griffin, Roman L. Hruska, Jacob K. Javits, Carl Albert, Harley O. Staggers, William L. Springer, John Jarman, Ancher Nelsen, John N. Mitchell, Attorney General. John E. Ingersoll, Dir, Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs. Michael R. Sonnenreich, Dep Chief Counsel, Justice Dept. Robert H. Finch, Sec of HEW.

    Roll WHPO-2236 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2236-02-05, President Nixon seated at his Oval Office desk during a meeting with television show host Art Linkletter and John Ehrlichman. 10/23/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Art Linkletter, John Ehrlichman.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2236-06-19, Cabinet Room meeting of the Bi-Partisan Leadership on Narcotics (drugs) TV personality Art Linkletter as a special guest. Press Cameramen and photographers crowd in record the event. 10/23/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Cabinet Room. President Nixon, Mike Mansfield, Carl Albert, Robert Griffin, Gerald Ford, John McCormack, John Ehrlichman, Daniel Patrick Moynihan, Charles B. Wilkinson, Bryce N. Harlow, Kenneth E. BeLieu, Egil Krogh, Art Linkletter, Thomas J. Dodd, Ralph Yarborough, Harold E. Hughes, Wilbur Mills, William H. Ayres, Emanuel Celler, Richard H. Poff, William E. Timmons, Lamar Alexander, Leonard Garment, Ronald L. Ziegler, John Campbell, Jeb McGruder, Robert Griffin, Roman L. Hruska, Jacob K. Javits, Carl Albert, Harley O. Staggers, William L. Springer, John Jarman, Ancher Nelsen, John N. Mitchell, Attorney General. John E. Ingersoll, Dir, Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs. Michael R. Sonnenreich, Dep Chief Counsel, Justice Dept. Robert H. Finch, Sec of HEW.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2236-18, Cabinet Room meeting of the Bi-Partisan Leadership on Narcotics (drugs) with TV personality Art Linkletter as a special guest. Press Cameramen and photographers crowd in to record the event. 10/23/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Cabinet Room. President Nixon, Mike Mansfield, Carl Albert, Robert Griffin, Gerald Ford, John McCormack, John Ehrlichman, Daniel Patrick Moynihan, Charles B. Wilkinson, Bryce N. Harlow, Kenneth E. BeLieu, Egil Krogh, Art Linkletter, Thomas J. Dodd, Ralph Yarborough, Harold E. Hughes, Wilbur Mills, William H. Ayres, Emanuel Celler, Richard H. Poff, William E. Timmons, Lamar Alexander, Leonard Garment, Ronald L. Ziegler, John Campbell, Jeb McGruder, Robert Griffin, Roman L. Hruska, Jacob K. Javits, Carl Albert, Harley O. Staggers, William L. Springer, John Jarman, Ancher Nelsen, John N. Mitchell, Attorney General. John E. Ingersoll, Dir, Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs. Michael R. Sonnenreich, Dep Chief Counsel, Justice Dept. Robert H. Finch, Sec of HEW.

    Roll WHPO-2243 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2243-04-13, President Nixon meeting in the Oval office with the Shah of Iran. 10/23/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon; Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the Shah of Iran;.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2243-14-27, President Nixon standing with the Shah of Iran and Secretary of State William Rogers. 10/23/1969, Washington, D.C. White House Grounds. President Nixon; Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the Shah of Iran; William Rogers.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2243-19, President Nixon standing with the Shah of Iran Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. 10/23/1969, Washington, D.C. White House Grounds. President Nixon; Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the Shah of Iran; William Rogers.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2243-25, President Nixon shaking hands with the Shah of Iran upon his departure from the White House. Secretary of State William Rogers and other officals stand nearby. 10/23/1969, Washington, D.C. White House Grounds. President Nixon; Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the Shah of Iran; William Rogers, officials, news reporters and photographers.

    Roll WHPO-2244 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2244-02-07, President Nixon with Art Linkletter and photographers. 10/23/1969, Washington, D.C. White House Grounds. President Nixon, Art Linkletter, John Ehrlichman, Ronald Ziegler, Henry Kissinger.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2244-07A, President Nixon with Art Linkletter and photographers. 10/23/1969, Washington, D.C. White House Grounds.

    Roll WHPO-2245 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2245-03-08, President Nixon during a meeting in the Oval office with Elly Peterson (Asst. Chairman of the RNC). 10/23/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Rogers Morton, Elly Peterson, Jim Allison, Harry Dent, Jeremiah Milbank.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2245-05, President Nixon during a meeting in the Oval office with Elly Peterson (Asst. Chairman of the RNC). 10/23/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Elly Peterson.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2245-09, President Nixon seated during a meeting in the Oval office with Rogers Morton (RNC Chairman) and Elly Peterson (Asst. Chairman of the RNC). 10/23/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Rogers Morton, Elly Peterson, Jim Allison, Harry Dent, Jeremiah Milbank.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2245-09-19, President Nixon seated during a meeting in the Oval office with Rogers Morton (RNC Chairman) and Elly Peterson (Asst. Chairman of the RNC). 10/23/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Rogers Morton, Elly Peterson, Jim Allison, Harry Dent, Jeremiah Milbank.

    Roll WHPO-2246 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2246-02-04, President Nixon and Pat Nixon receiving a gift from Elko, Nevada Mayor Frank Weinrauch and his family. 10/23/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Frank Weinrauch, Frank Weinrauch Jr.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2246-06-08, President Nixon receiving a plaque from Rep. Jackson Betts. 10/23/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Jackson Betts, Charles Jones, Harry Dalton.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2246-10-13, President Nixon receiving a fan from Rep. Charles Jones and Harry Dalton. 10/23/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Charles Jones, Harry Dalton.

    Roll WHPO-2247 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2247-04A-27A, Art Linkletter speaking from a podium. 10/23/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Roosevelt Room. Art Linkletter, Ziegler.

    Roll WHPO-2248 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2248-05-09, Art Linkletter speaking from a podium. 10/23/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Roosevelt Room. Art Linkletter, Ziegler.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2248-10-19, Bud Wilkinson alongside youth. 10/23/1969, Washington, D.C. Bud Wilkinson, youths.

    Roll WHPO-2249 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2249-03-13, Connie Stuart conducting a press conference. 10/23/1969, Washington, D.C. Connie Stuart.

    Roll WHPO-2250 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2250-02, Unknown. 10/23/1969, Washington, D.C. White House.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2250-02-07, Unknown. 10/23/1969, Washington, D.C. White House.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2250-02-07, Connie Stuart conducting a press conference. 10/23/1969, Washington, D.C. White House. Connie Stuart.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2250-03-04, Pat Nixon. 10/23/1969, Washington, D.C. White House. Pat Nixon.

    Roll WHPO-2253 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2253-03-04, Vice President Agnew with John Danforth. 10/23/1969, Washington, D.C. Executive Office Building, (EOB), Agnew's office. Spiro Agnew, John Danforth.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2253-05-10, Jim Ketchem standing with Mrs. Aaron Tilton. 10/23/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, China Room. Jim Ketchem, Mrs. Aaron Tilton.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2253-11-20, Rep. Bill Kramer with representatives from the Future Businessmen of America. 10/23/1969, Washington, D.C. Bill Kramer.

  • 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-018
      First Lady's announcement of Connie Stuart as Staff Director at the Family Theatre. (10/23/1969, Family Theatre [city unknown])

      Runtime: 1:15

      Production credits: Audio feed supplied by "WHCA Only"; No WHCA engineer initials listed

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

    G - Cabinet Officer Briefings

    • WHCA-SR-G-033
      Press briefing regarding U.S. maritime trade with speakers Gerald Warren, Rocco Siciliano, and A. Gibson. (10/23/1969, Roosevelt Room, The White House)

      Runtime: 30:00:00

      Production credits: Audio feed supplied by "mutual"; Recorded by RHD (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-083
      Press briefing with Ronald Ziegler, John Ingersoll, Art Linkletter, and Roman Hruska re anti-narcotics measures. (10/23/1969, Roosevelt Room, White House)

      Runtime: 30:00:00

      Keywords: drugs, drug abuse, narcotics, heroin, marijuana, addicts, addiction, prevention, programs, Press conferences, news conferences, interviews, media, press secretary

      Production credits: Audio feed supplied by "Mutual"; Recorded by RHD (initials of WHCA engineer)

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

    P - Formal Presidential Remarks

    • WHCA-SR-P-691015
      Formal remarks by President Nixon at the departure of the Shah of Iran, with remarks by the Shah. (10/23/1969)

      Runtime: 1:50

      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-3471
      "The President's Men", Pt. II: Dr. Arthur Burns. Pat Nixon.
      Undetermined
      Runtime: 00:32:30
    • WHCA-3474
      Weekly News Summary.
      All networks
      Runtime: 0:30

      12. Entertainer Art Linkletter speaking about drug problems in schools, need for drug safety education for students 5th grade and up. Time Code Start: 03:87. Keywords: celebrities, television, drugs, drug abuse, hallucinogens, psychedelics, drop acid, marijuana, prevention. Network: CBS.

      13. Pierpoint: Congressional leaders and entertainer Art Linkletter meet to discuss drug abuse prevention and issues; says music recordings tell children to take a (drug) trip, LSD given as jokes at UCLA,. Time Code Start: 04:20. Keywords: House of Representatives, meetings, celebrities, television, drugs, drug abuse, hallucinogens, psychedelics, drop acid, marijuana, prevention. Network: CBS.

      14. President Nixon and Shah of Iran give farewell speeches in White House Rose Garden. Time Code Start: 04:55. Keywords: Presidents, Middle East, Mideast, Iranian, royalty, leaders, meetings. Network: NBC.

      15. Kaplow: Entertainer Art Linkletter speaks at the White House on drug abuse problems in youth today, and his daughter's suicide prompted by LSD flashbacks. Time Code Start: 04:75. Keywords: celebrities, television, drugs, drug abuse, hallucinogens, psychedelics, drop acid, marijuana, prevention. Network: NBC.

      16. Smith: Entertainer Art Linkletter speaks at the White House on drug abuse problems in youth today, and his daughter's suicide prompted by LSD flashbacks. Time Code Start: 05:01. Keywords: celebrities, television, drugs, drug abuse, hallucinogens, psychedelics, drop acid, marijuana, prevention. Network: ABC.

      17. Jarriel: Entertainer Art Linkletter speaks at the White House on drug abuse problems in youth today, and his daughter's suicide prompted by LSD flashbacks; President Nixon and congressional leaders meeting to discuss on drug abuse problems,. Time Code Start: 05:15. Keywords: Presidents, meetings, celebrities, television, drugs, drug abuse, hallucinogens, psychedelics, drop acid, marijuana, prevention. Network: ABC.

Context (External Sources)