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October 28, 1969

Introduction

This almanac page for Tuesday, October 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: Monday, October 27, 1969

Next Date: Wednesday, October 29, 1969

Schedule and Public Documents

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 NSC System

    • 84. Memorandum by Secretary of Defense Laird, Washington, October 28, 1969

      Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 330, Accession 74–0045, Signer’s Copies October 1969. Secret. Marked “Revised by Col RE Pursley 25 Oct 69.”

    Foreign Economic Policy

    Vol. V, United Nations, 1969-1972

    UN Finances and Reduction of the U.S. Assessment

    Vol. VI, Vietnam, January 1969-July 1970

    Vietnam, January 1969-July 1970

    • 141. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon, Washington, October 28, 1969

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 1320, Unfiled Material, 1969, 6 of 19. Top Secret; Eyes Only. At the bottom of the first page are the following handwritten notes by Nixon: “1. Mel should increase the V. Nam weapons & training program. I still think the military is foot dragging. 2. Ask Bunker to pass a sanitized version of this assessment through channels to State.”

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

    The Rogers Plan

    Vol. XXXIV, National Security Policy, 1969-1972

    The Joint Chiefs of Staff Readiness Test

    • 90. Telegram From the Joint Chiefs of Staff to All Commanders of Unified and Specified Commands, Washington, October 28, 1969, 2313Z

      Source: National Archives, RG 218, Records of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Records of the Chairman, General Wheeler, Box 111, 381, World-Wide Increased Readiness Posture (Oct. 69). Top Secret; Noforn; Immediate. Drafted by Lieutenant Colonel R. W. Sennewalt, Operations Directorate, Joint Staff, JCS. Copies were sent to Westmoreland, Moorer, Ryan, and Chapman. A handwritten note on the original indicates that Deputy Secretary of Defense Packard concurred.

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

    Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty; Implementation of Safeguard System

    • 28. Telegram 14146 From the Embassy in Germany to the Department of State, Bonn, October 28, 1969, 1145Z

      The telegram transmitted the text of the talking points that the German NPT delegation intended to use in its upcoming talks in Washington. The points indicated a positive FRG appraisal of the NPT, even in light of the less than satisfactory German-Soviet discussions the previous March. The FRG then listed several requirements before it would consent to sign the NPT. Among those were requests to the U.S. Government to issue a statement denying the Soviet alleged “right of intervention” as noted in Articles 53 and 107 of the UN Charter, for its continued support of NATO and the subsequent safeguards agreements, and its willingness to publicize its position in support of these requests to “avoid any subsequent disagreement” concerning the interpretation.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1967–1969, DEF 18–6. Confidential. It was repeated to Moscow, US Mission Geneva, and USNATO.

    • 29. Telegram 14209 From the Embassy in Germany to the Department of State, Bonn, October 28, 1969, 1145Z

      The telegram reported on Chancellor Brandt’s decision to “push ahead” on the NPT. Brandt intended to approach the Soviets and requested Soviet Foreign Minister Gromyko’s assurances of the expansion of peaceful atomic energy use in writing, so that Brandt could distribute it to the German Bundestag.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1967–1969, DEF 18–6. Confidential. It was repeated to London, Paris, Moscow, Brussels, The Hague, Luxembourg, Rome, Berlin, USNATO, USMission Geneva, and USUN.

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

    The Horn

    • 282. Memorandum From the Presidentʼs Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon, Washington, October 28, 1969

      Kissinger informed the President, who had expressed concern over former Prime Minister Egalʼs welfare, that Egal was under house arrest. Kissinger also noted that that little was known about the new government or its intentions.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 743, Country Files, Africa, Somalia Republic, Vol. I. Secret. Sent for information. At the bottom Nixon wrote, “Maybe (hopefully) they are like the Greek Colonels.” Next to his note is stamped, “Nov 6 1969.”

  • 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-2275 Photographer: Hodge | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2275-04-11, Swearing-in ceremony for Connie Stuart as the Staff Director and Press Secretary to Pat Nixon. 10/28/1969, Washington, D.C. White House. Connie Stuart, Charles Stuart, unidentified man.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2275-05, Swearing-in ceremony for Connie Stuart as the Staff Director and Press Secretary to Pat Nixon. 10/28/1969, Washington, D.C. White House. Connie Stuart, Charles Stuart, unidentified man.

    Roll WHPO-2276 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2276-02-07, Gerald Ford conducting a press briefing. 10/28/1969, Washington, D.C. Roosevelt Room. Gerald Ford, Ron Ziegler.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2276-08-22, Reporters and Photographers of the White House press corps. 10/28/1969, Washington, D.C. White House.

    Roll WHPO-2277 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2277-03-11, Gerald Ford conducting a press briefing. 10/28/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, press room. Gerald Ford, Hugh Scott, Ronald Ziegler, press corps members.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2277-12-17, Reporters and Photographers of the White House press corps. 10/28/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, press room.

    Roll WHPO-2278 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2278-, Vice President Agnew conducting an NASC meeting,. 10/28/1969, Washington, D.C. Spiro Agnew.

    Roll WHPO-2279 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2279-03-23, President Nixon campaigning for Linwood Holton (Gubernatorial candidate for Virginia). 10/28/1969, Salem, Roanoke, Virginia Salem-Roanoke Valley Civic Center, Woodrum Airport. President Nixon, Linwood Holton, Mrs. Linwood Holton.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2279-10, President Nixon onstage with Linwood Holton (Gubernatorial candidate for Virginia) during a campaign trip. 10/28/1969, Salem, Roanoke, Virginia Salem-Roanoke Valley Civic Center. President Nixon, Linwood Holton, Mrs. Linwood Holton, unidentified officials.

    Roll WHPO-2280 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2280-00-17, President Nixon campaigning for Linwood Holton (Gubernatorial candidate for Virginia). 10/28/1969, Salem, Roanoke, Virginia Salem-Roanoke Valley Civic Center, Woodrum Airport. President Nixon, Linwood Holton.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2280-03, President Nixon standing on stage with Linwood Holton, the Republican Gubernatorial candidate for Virginia, while on a campaign trip. 10/28/1969, Salem, Roanoke, Virginia Salem-Roanoke Valley Civic Center. President Nixon, Linwood Holton.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2280-11, President Nixon on stage with arms up while campaigning for Linwood Holton, the Republican Gubernatorial candidate for Virginia. 10/28/1969, Salem, Virginia Salem-Roanoke Valley Civic Center. President Nixon.

  • 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-691016
      Remarks by President Nixon on arrival in Roanoke, Va. (10/28/1969)

      Runtime: 2:14

      Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.
    • WHCA-SR-P-691017
      Remarks by President Nixon at rally in Roanoke in support of Linwood Holton with Holton, Richard Poff. (10/28/1969)

      Runtime: 18:12

      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-3476
      Johnny Carson ["The Tonight Show"] with Herb Klein. George Romney, Secretary of Transportation.
      NET (National Educational Television, PBS)
      Runtime: 00:27:49
    • WHCA-3479
      Weekly News Summary.
      All networks
      Runtime: 00:24:32

      1. Cronkite: Vice President Agnew blows punch line at ceremony for Defense Department workers who saved money, says no public figure has ever said, Give me liberty, or give me economy. Time Code Start: 00:04. Keywords: economy, economics, humor, mistakes. Network: CBS.

      2. Senator Scott and Representative Gerald Ford on Congress Congress being slow in passing appropriations bills. Time Code Start: 00:31. Keywords: House of Representatives, Congressmen, leaders, criticisms, bills, laws, voting. Network: NBC.

Context (External Sources)