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April 17, 1974

Introduction

This almanac page for Wednesday, April 17, 1974, 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: Tuesday, April 16, 1974

Next Date: Thursday, April 18, 1974

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.

    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.

  • 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.

  • Argued

    Decided

Archival Holdings

Any selection of archival documents will necessarily be partial. You should use the documents and folders identified below as a starting place, but consult the linked collection finding aids and folder title lists and the collections themselves for context. Many documents to be found this way do not lend themselves to association with specific dates, but are essential to a complete understanding of the material.

  • Selective document listing

    President's Office Files

    The President's Office Files consists of materials drawn together by the Special Files Unit from several administrative subdivisions within the White House Office. It is the handwriting and sensitive papers sent to the Staff Secretary that now comprise much of the President's Office Files. Visit the finding aid to learn more.

    President's Personal File

    The President's Personal File is essentially a President's secretary's file, kept by Rose Mary Woods, personal secretary to the President, for two purposes: (1) preserving for posterity a collection of documents particularly close to the President, whether because he dictated or annotated them, or because of the importance of the correspondent or the event concerned and (2) giving appropriate attention–letters of gratitude, invitations to White House social events, and the like–to members and important friends and supporters of the Nixon administration. This generalization does not describe all the varied materials of a file group which is essentially a miscellany, but it does identify the reason for the existence of the file group's core. 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. XXVII, Iran; Iraq, 1973-1976

    Iraq, January 1973-December 1974

    Vol. E-6, Documents on Africa, 1973-1976

    Horn of Africa

    • 106. Telegram 4228 From the Embassy in Ethiopia to the Department of State, Addis Ababa, April 17, 1974, 1225Z

      Chargé d’Affaires Wyman informed the Department of the Ethiopian Prime Minister’s emergency request for military equipment far beyond current levels of assistance, and discussed how the U.S. response would affect bilateral relations.

      Source: National Archives, RG 84, Addis Ababa Embassy Files: Lot 77 F 121, MAP Level 1974. Secret; Immediate; Exdis. Repeated to Mogadiscio, Moscow, Sanaa, and USCINCEUR. Drafted and approved by Wyman; cleared by MAAG, POL, and DAO.

    Vol. E-11, Part 2, Documents on South America, 1973-1976

    Argentina

    • 15. Transcript of a Telephone Conversation Between President Nixon and Secretary of State Kissinger, Washington, April 17, 1974, 8:28 p.m.

      Summary: Nixon asked Kissinger to implement, in a low-key way, the licensing of U.S. firms in Argentina selling goods to Cuba.

      Source: Department of State, FOIA Electronic Reading Room, Kissinger Transcripts. Unclassified. Nixon’s decision to authorize sales to Cuba by U.S. firms in Argentina is recorded in Document 12. In a February 20 meeting with Vignes, Kissinger stated that U.S.-Cuban relations must be “kept apart” from overall hemispheric relations, “otherwise both problems would be more difficult to solve.” (Telegram 1632 from Mexico, February 22; National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, [no film number]) In a February 22 memorandum to the President, Scowcroft stated that Kissinger had reported from the Tlatelolco Conference of Foreign Ministers in Mexico City that “Argentina is moving in our direction on every issue but Cuba; on that one we will continue to have trouble.” (Memorandum from Scowcroft to Nixon, February 22; Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Scowcroft Daily Work Files, 1974–1977, Box 6, 2/19–28/74)

    Vol. E-15, Part 1, Documents on Eastern Europe, 1973-1976

    Yugoslavia

  • 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.

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-E2621 Photographer: Moore, Robert (Supervisor/Director, WHPO Photographic Laboratory) | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2621-04-07, President Nixon seated informally in the Oval Office, during a meeting with Mayor of Berlin Klaus Schuetz. 4/17/1974, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Klaus Schuetz.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2621-04A, President Nixon seated informally in the Oval Office, during a meeting with Mayor of Berlin Klaus Schuetz. 4/17/1974, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Klaus Schuetz.

    Roll WHPO-E2622 Photographer: Moore, Robert (Supervisor/Director, WHPO Photographic Laboratory) | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2622-02-06, President Nixon meeting in the Oval Office with Mayor of Berlin Klaus Schuetz, Gunther Sgtruve, German Ambassador to the US Berndt Van Staden and Maj. Gen. Scowcroft. 4/17/1974, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Gunther Struve (Head of the Press Department Berlin Senate), Berndt Van Staden ( Ambassador from Germany to the U.S.) , Maj. Gen. Brent G. Scowcroft, Deputy Assistant.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2622-08-14, President Nixon meeting in the Oval Office with Mayor of Berlin Klaus Schuetz, Gunther Sgtruve, German Ambassador to the US Berndt Van Staden and Maj. Gen. Scowcroft. 4/17/1974, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Gunther Struve (Head of the Press Department Berlin Senate), Berndt Van Staden ( Ambassador from Germany to the U.S.) , Maj. Gen. Brent G. Scowcroft, Deputy Assistant.

    Roll WHPO-E2623 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2623-01A-07A, Bob Genader Groups. 4/17/1974, Washington, D.C. White House.

    Roll WHPO-E2628 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2628-02-17, President Nixon and Pat Nixon seated at a round table with six other people, during the Latin American and Caribbean Foreign Ministers Dinner. 4/17/1974, Washington, D.C. State Dining Room. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Latin American and Caribbean foreign ministers - see Presidential Daily Diary Appendix A for April 17 for a full list of attendees.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2628-14, President Nixon and Pat Nixon seated at a round table with six other people, during the Latin American and Caribbean Foreign Ministers Dinner. 4/17/1974, Washington, D.C. State Dining Room. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Latin American and Caribbean foreign ministers - see Presidential Daily Diary Appendix A for April 17 for a full list of attendees.

  • 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.

    B - Vice-Presidential (Agnew and Ford)

    • WHCA-SR-B-267
      Remarks concerning the outcome of the special congressioal election in Michigan. (4/17/1974)

      Runtime: 15:00

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

    P - Formal Presidential Remarks

    • WHCA-SR-P-740413
      Photo opportunity with Mayor Klaus Schuetz of West Berlin. (4/17/1974)

      Runtime: 1:45

      Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.
    • WHCA-SR-P-740414
      Remarks by President Nixon in toast to OAS Ambassadors, with Ambassadors Sapena, Pastor. (4/17/1974)

      Runtime: 23:15

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

    S - White House Press Office Briefings (continuation of the L-series)

    • WHCA-SR-S-557
      Press briefing by Gerald Warren. (4/17/1974, White House Press Lobby)

      Runtime: 47:11:00

      Keywords: Press conferences, news conferences, interviews, media

      Production credits: Audio feed supplied by WHCA; Recorded by __ (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-6891
      Weekly News Summary, Tape I.
      ALL NETWORKS
      Runtime: 01:31:58

      33. Reasoner/Reynolds: Michigan Congressional election. Time Code Start: 66:49. Keywords: House of Representatives, elections. Network: ABC.

      34. Reasoner/Jarriel: White House reaction to Michigan election with Burch. Time Code Start: 70:00. Keywords: Presidents, statements, reactions. Network: ABC.

      35. Reasoner: Vice President Gerald Ford's reaction to Michigan election. Time Code Start: 72:15. Keywords: Vice Presidents, speeches, statements, elections. Network: ABC.

      36. Smith/Donaldson: GOP (Republican) reaction to Michigan election. Time Code Start: 73:00. Keywords: Republicans, Republican Party, elections, campaigns. Network: ABC.

      37. Reasoner: Ehrlichman denies LA Times story. Time Code Start: 75:35. Keywords: advisors, counsels, attorneys, lawyers, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals. Network: ABC.

      38. Smith/Schoumacher: Patty Hearst case. Time Code Start: 76:35. Keywords: Symbionese Liberation Army, SLA, Militants, terrorism, organizations, kidnapping, victims, robbery, banks, crime, crimes, offences, infractions, criminals, criminality, law breaking, law and order. Network: ABC.

      39. Smith/Jackson: Mitchell, Stans conspiracy trial. Time Code Start: 80:10. Keywords: cabinet, advisors, trials, obstruction of justice, perjury, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals. Network: ABC.

      40. Smith: Commentary on William Simon and his new job as new Secretary of the Treasury. Time Code Start: 82:20. Keywords: cabinet, advisors, appointments. Network: ABC.

      41. Chancellor/Paxton: Election in Michigan. Time Code Start: 83:55. Keywords: elections, campaigns, campaigning, candidates. Network: NBC.

      42. Chancellor/Brokaw: White House reaction to Michigan election. Time Code Start: 86:40. Keywords: Presidents, statements, reactions. Network: NBC.

      43. Chancellor/Nessen: Vice Gerald President Ford on Michigan election. Time Code Start: 88:09. Keywords: Vice Presidents, speeches, statements, elections. Network: NBC.

      44. Brinkey's Journal: Election in Michigan. Time Code Start: 89:44. Keywords: elections, campaigns, campaigning, candidates. Network: NBC.
    • WHCA-6892
      Weekly News Summary, Tape II.
      ALL NETWORKS
      Runtime: 01:34:00

      1. Chancellor/Christian: Attorney General Saxbe says Patty Hearst guilty. Time Code Start: 00:00. Keywords: Symbionese Liberation Army, SLA, Militants, terrorism, organizations, kidnapping, victims, robbery, banks, crime, crimes, offences, infractions, criminals, criminality, law breaking, law and order. Network: NBC.

      2. Chancellor/Hager: Mitchell, Stans conspiracy trial with Stans testifying. Time Code Start: 02:10. Keywords: cabinet, advisors, trials, obstruction of justice, perjury, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals. Network: NBC.

      3. Chancellor: Ehrlichman and New York Times story; Colson wants White House tapes for his trial. Time Code Start: 04:21. Keywords: trials, bugging, bugs, wiretapping, wire taps, surveillance, spying, recordings, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, scandals. Network: NBC.

      4. Chancellor/Levine: William Simon to be new Secretary of Treasury; power struggle in cabinet. Time Code Start: 05:21. Keywords: Presidents, cabinet, advisors, appointments. Network: NBC.

      5. Cronkite/Plante: Congressional election in Michigan with film of President Nixon and poll of the Nixon visit. Time Code Start: 07:55. Keywords: public opinions, polls, approval ratings, Gallup poll, Harris poll, President Nixon, elections, campaigns, campaigning, candidates. Network: CBS.

      6. Cronkite/Mudd: GOP (Republican) reaction to Michigan election with Burch, Vice President Gerald Ford, and Strauss. Time Code Start: 11:00. Keywords: Republicans, Republican Party, elections, campaigns. Network: CBS.

      7. Cronkite: William Simon to be Secretary of the Treasury. Time Code Start: 13:55. Keywords: cabinet, advisors. Network: CBS.

      8. Cronkite/Schakne: Mitchell, Stans conspiracy trial. Time Code Start: 15:10. Keywords: cabinet, advisors, trials, obstruction of justice, perjury, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals. Network: CBS.

      9. Cronkite: Ehrlichman denies LA Times charges. Time Code Start: 15:55. Keywords: advisors, counsels, attorneys, lawyers, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals. Network: CBS.

      10. Cronkite/Schorr: Connally and the Dairy Association. Time Code Start: 18:25. Keywords: Presidential elections, campaigns, campaigning, candidates, financial aid, funding, donations, contributions, lobbyists. Network: CBS.

      11. Sevareid: Analysis of election in Michigan. Time Code Start: 19:06. Keywords: elections, campaigns, campaigning, candidates. Network: CBS.

Context (External Sources)