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April 18, 1974

Introduction

This almanac page for Thursday, April 18, 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: Wednesday, April 17, 1974

Next Date: Friday, April 19, 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.

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. XXX, Greece; Cyprus; Turkey, 1973-1976

    Greece

    • 13. Interagency Intelligence Memorandum, Washington, April 18, 1974

      Source: Central Intelligence Agency, NIC Files, Job 79–R01012A. Secret; No Foreign Dissem. This memorandum was prepared under the auspices of the National Intelligence Officer for Western Europe. It was principally drafted by CIA with the participation of representatives of DIA, INR, and the intelligence components of the Departments of the Army, Navy, and Air Force.

    Vol. XXXVIII, Part 2, Organization and Management of Foreign Policy; Public Diplomacy, 1973-1976

    Managing the Department of State

    Vol. E-9, Documents on North Africa, 1973-1976

    Morocco, 1973-1976

    Vol. E-11, Part 1, Documents on Mexico; Central America; and the Caribbean, 1973-1976

    Costa Rica

    • 122. Memorandum of Conversation, San José, April 18, 1974

      Summary: During a lunch conversation, the president of the Costa Rican Legislative Assembly told Embassy officials that Oduber had agreed not to oppose the recently passed extradition law in exchange for Vesco-linked funding for his election campaign.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P740044–0780. Confidential. Drafted by Johnson. Sent as an enclosure to airgram A–58 from San José, May 1. The meeting was held at the Hotel Amstol Restaurant. In airgram A–52 from San José, April 19, the Embassy reported that efforts to tie demonstrations against the Extradition Bill to U.S. interests appeared to represent an effort by political allies of the Figueres administration to discredit the protests. (Ibid., P740037–0730) In a July 1 letter to Sullivan, Johnson stated his view that Oduber sought to create the appearance of non-involvement with Vesco while enjoying the benefits of his presence in Costa Rica. (Ibid., ARA/CEN/CR Files: Lot 76D290, Chron—Letters, Correspondence from Embassy, 1974)

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

    Chile

    • 165. Telegram 2046 From the Embassy in Chile to the Department of State, Santiago, April 18, 1974, 1638Z

      Summary: During a meeting with Pinochet, General William B. Rosson of the U.S. Southern Command noted that concerns about the junta’s human rights record affected the ability of the U.S. Government to provide it with military assistance.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D740090–1029. Secret; Exdis. On April 25, the Department informed the Embassy that it had approved the sale to Chile of 18 F–5E aircraft, 15 M–60 tanks, anti-personnel and anti-tank mines, and the light anti-tank weapon (LAW) system; and that it would continue to examine their other arms requests on a case-by-case basis. (Telegram 84285 to Santiago, April 25; ibid., D740098–0052) In telegram 86774 to Santiago, April 27, the Department reported that Kubisch had told Ambassador Heitmann that the arms sales had been authorized in order to deter aggression in the region. (Ibid., D740101–0067)

  • 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-E2632 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2632-03A-10A, President Nixon at Daughters of the American Revolution Convention to speak at the 83rd Continental Congress of the DAR. 4/18/1974, Washington, D. C. Constitution Hall.

    Roll WHPO-E2634 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2634-04-25, President Nixon at Daughters of the American Revolution Convention to speak at the 83rd Continental Congress of the DAR. 4/18/1974, Washington, D. C. Constitution Hall.

    Roll WHPO-E2636 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2636-02A-23A, President Nixon seated informally in the Oval Office during a meeting with Foreign Minister Ismail Fahmi of Egypt and Secretary of State Henry Kissinger. 4/18/1974, Washington, D. C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Henry Kissinger, Ismail Fahmy, Foreign Minister of the Arab Republic of Egypt, Maj. Gen. Brent G. Scowcroft, Deputy Assistant.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2636-08A, President Nixon seated informally in the Oval Office during a meeting with Foreign Minister Ismail Fahmi of Egypt and Secretary of State Henry Kissinger. 4/18/1974, Washington, D. C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Henry Kissinger, Ismail Fahmy, Foreign Minister of the Arab Republic of Egypt.

    Roll WHPO-E2637 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2637-02-21, President Nixon presents Vivian Tom, social studies teacher at Lincoln High School in Yonkers, New York, with the 1974 National Teacher of the Year Award. 4/18/1974, Washington, D. C. Oval Office. President Nixon, Vivian Tom.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2637-23, President Nixon meeting with Health, Education and Welfare Dept (HEW) Presidential appointees and HEW Secretary Caspar Weinberger. 4/18/1974, Washington, D. C. Oval Office. President Nixon, Caspar Weinberger, Virginia Y. Trotter, Assistant Secretary-designate for Education, Terrell H. Bell, Commissioner-designate of Education, James H. Cavanaugh, Associate Director of the Domestic Council.

    Roll WHPO-E2638 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2638-01A-02A, President Nixon, Foreign Minister Ismail Fahmy of Egypt, Henry Kissinger and Maj. Gen. Brent G. Scowcroft are seated in the Oval Office during a meeting. 4/18/1974, Washington, D. C. Oval Office. President Nixon, Henry Kissinger, Ismail Fahmy, Foreign Minister of the Arab Republic of Egypt, Maj. Gen. Brent G. Scowcroft, Deputy Assistant.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2638-03A-05A, President Nixon and Foreign Minister Ismail Fahmy of Egypt are seated in the Oval Office during a meeting. 4/18/1974, Washington, D. C. Oval Office. President Nixon, Henry Kissinger, Ismail Fahmy, Foreign Minister of the Arab Republic of Egypt, Maj. Gen. Brent G. Scowcroft, Deputy Assistant.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2638-07A-18A, President Nixon with Vivian Tom, social studies teacher at Lincoln High School in Yonkers, New York, the 1974 National Teacher of the Year Award and her guests. 4/18/1974, Washington, D. C. Oval Office. President Nixon, Vivian Tom, Caspar Weinberger, unidentified guests.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2638-12A-14A, President Nixon presents Vivian Tom, social studies teacher at Lincoln High School in Yonkers, New York, with the 1974 National Teacher of the Year Award and her guests. 4/18/1974, Washington, D. C. Oval Office. President Nixon, Vivian Tom, Caspar Weinberger.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2638-19A-26A, President Nixon meeting with Health, Education and Welfare Dept (HEW) Presidential appointees and HEW Secretary Caspar Weinberger. 4/18/1974, Washington, D. C. Oval Office. President Nixon, Caspar Weinberger, Virginia Y. Trotter, Assistant Secretary-designate for Education, Terrell H. Bell, Commissioner-designate of Education, James H. Cavanaugh, Associate Director of the Domestic Council.

    Roll WHPO-E2639 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2639-03-04, President Nixon shaking hands with actor William Gargan, recipient of the American Cancer Society's Courage Award.,. 4/18/1974, Washington, D. C. Oval Office. President Nixon, William Gargan.

    Roll WHPO-E2640 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2640-03-19, John R. Ottina and members of the Department of Health, Education and Welfare [HEW] giving a news briefing. 4/18/1974, Washington, D. C. White House Press Room. John Ottina, U.S. commissioner of education and the assistant secretary of administration, Department of Health, Education and Welfare [HEW].

    Roll WHPO-E2641 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2641-04-14, Pat Nixon presenting American Cancer Society's Courage Award to actor William Gargan. 4/18/1974, Washington, D. C. White House Library. Pat Nixon, William Gargan.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2641-15-20, Pat Nixon and actor William Gargan, American Cancer Society's Courage Award recipient with guests standing for a group portrait. 4/18/1974, Washington, D. C. White House Library. Pat Nixon, William Gargan, American Cancer Society President Dr. and Mrs. Justin Stein, ACS Chairman of the Board W. Armin Willig, Executive Vice President Mr. and Mrs. Lane W. Adams, VP Governmental Relations and Science Editor Frank Davis, VP Public Information Irving Rimer, John Yost.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2641-21-23, President Nixon and Pat Nixon with actor William Gargan, recipient of the American Cancer Society's Courage Award in the Oval Office. 4/18/1974, Washington, D. C. Oval Office. President Nixon, William Gargan.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2641-24-35, Pat Nixon greeting women leaders of the Association for Childhood Education International at a White House reception in the State Dining Room. 4/18/1974, Washington, D. C. White House, State Dining Room. Pat Nixon, President Dr. Annie L. Butler, Executive Secretary Alberta L. Meyer, Pat President Esther Morgan.

  • 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.

    K - Informal Presidential Remarks

    • WHCA-SR-K-182
      Photo opportunity with Ismail Fahmy, For. Min. Egypt-Oval Office. (4/18/1974)

      Runtime: 1:53

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

    P - Formal Presidential Remarks

    • WHCA-SR-P-740415
      Remarks by President Nixon to Congress of the DAR in Constitution Hall. (4/18/1974)

      Runtime: 24:23:00

      Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.
    • WHCA-SR-P-740416
      Photo opportunity with Vivian Tom, 1974 Teacher of the Year. (4/18/1974)

      Runtime: 1:15

      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-558
      Press briefing by Gerald Warren. (4/18/1974, White House Press Lobby)

      Runtime: 35:00:00

      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.
    • WHCA-SR-S-559
      Press pool report on the President's photo opportunity with the Teacher of the Year. (4/18/1974, White House Press Lobby)

      Runtime: 2:20

      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.
    • WHCA-SR-S-560
      Federal Focus on Education Conference with Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare Caspar Weinberger, Kenneth Cole, Messrs. Holland, Helm, Mathis, Saunders, Glennan, Homes, Thomas, Robinson, and Vaughn, and Doctors Bell, Trotter and Ottins. (4/18/1974, EOB Conference Room (450))

      Runtime: 5:10:00

      Keywords: health care, health insurance

      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-6887
      "The Dick Cavett Show". Senate Watergate Hearing Committee Senator Hugh Scott (R-PA).
      CBS
      Runtime: 0:30
    • WHCA-6892
      Weekly News Summary, Tape II.
      ALL NETWORKS
      Runtime: 01:34:00

      12. Smith/Jarriel: Egyptian ambassador visits with President Nixon, Secretary of State Kissinger. Time Code Start: 21:31. Keywords: Presidents, meetings, Ambassadors, Egyptian, Middle East, Mideast, cabinet, advisors. Network: ABC.

      13. Smith/Landay: President Nixon's speech (President Nixon). Time Code Start: 23:40. Keywords: Presidents, speeches. Network: ABC.

      14. Reasoner/Jackson: Mitchell, Stans conspiracy trial. Time Code Start: 25:21. 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.

      15. Chancellor/Levine: The economy. Time Code Start: 27:34. Keywords: economy, economics, budgets, finances, recession, inflation, money, wages, costs, unemployment, prices. Network: NBC.

      16. Chancellor/Goralski: Offshore oil drilling. Time Code Start: 30:05. Keywords: energy, petroleum, drilling, oil supply, oil supplies, imports, shortages, sales, costs, increases. Network: NBC.

      17. Chancellor/Brokaw: White House tapes turned over with Vice President Gerald Ford statement. Time Code Start: 32:32. Keywords: Vice Presidents, interviews, bugging, bugs, wiretapping, wire taps, surveillance, spying, recordings, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, scandals. Network: NBC.

      18. Chancellor: President Nixon's speech. Time Code Start: 35:45. Keywords: Presidents, speeches. Network: NBC.

      19. Chancellor/Christian: Zebra killings in California. Time Code Start: 37:00. Keywords: Muslims, terrorism, death, shootings, snipers. Network: NBC.

      20. Chancellor: Patty Hearst case. Time Code Start: 39:45. 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.

      21. Chancellor/Hager: Mitchell, Stans conspiracy trial. Time Code Start: 40:50. 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.

      22. Cronkite/Herman: The economy. Time Code Start: 42:53. Keywords: economy, economics, budgets, finances, recession, inflation, money, wages, costs, unemployment, prices. Network: CBS.

      23. Cronkite/Rather: Middle East fighting. Time Code Start: 45:05. Keywords: Middle East, Mideast, war, travel, trips, truces, treaty, treaties, negotiations. Network: CBS.

      24. Cronkite: President Nixon's speech. Time Code Start: 46:34. Keywords: Presidents, speeches. Network: CBS.

      25. Cronkite/Schakne: Mitchell, Stans conspiracy trial. Time Code Start: 46:55. 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.

      26. Sevareid: Analysis of Patty Hearst case. Time Code Start: 48:21. Keywords: Symbionese Liberation Army, SLA, Militants, terrorism, organizations, kidnapping, victims, robbery, banks, crime, crimes, offences, infractions, criminals, criminality, law breaking, law and order. Network: CBS.

Context (External Sources)