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April 21, 1972

Introduction

This almanac page for Friday, April 21, 1972, 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: Thursday, April 20, 1972

Next Date: Saturday, April 22, 1972

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 Camp David, Maryland

  • 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.

  • The Congressional Record is the official daily record of the debates and proceedings of the U.S. Congress.

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. V, United Nations, 1969-1972

    UN Finances and Reduction of the U.S. Assessment

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

    Kissinger's Secret Trip to Moscow, April 19-25, 1972

    Vol. XXIX, Eastern Mediterranean, 1969-1972

    Greece

    Vol. XXXII, SALT I, 1969-1972

    Kissinger's Secret Trip to Moscow and Aftermath, April 19-May 17, 1972

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

    U.S. Policy Towards International Production and Trafficking in Illegal Drugs

    • 222. Memorandum From Richard R. Peterson to the Open Forum Panel, Washington, April 21, 1972

      Peterson recommended for debate a number of changes to strengthen narcotics control operations within the structure of the Department of State.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970-73, SOC 11-5. No classification marking.

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

    Uganda

    • 249. Telegram 1154 From the Embassy in Uganda to the Department of State, Kampala, April 21, 1972, 0657Z

      The Embassy stated that the major thrust of U.S. policy in Uganda was developmental and humanitarian. There was a risk this policy would be frustrated due to the chaotic state of the economy, which might last several years.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 1 AFR–US. Confidential; Priority.

    Vol. E-7, Documents on South Asia, 1969-1972

    U.S. Relations with India and Pakistan, 1972

    • 255. Telegram 69080 From the Department of State to the Embassy in India, Washington, April 21, 1972, 0126Z

      The Department agreed that Ambassador Keating should tone down his objection to Indian Foreign Minister Singh’s statement somewhat when he met with the Foreign Minister.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL INDIA-US. Secret; Immediate; Nodis. Drafted on April 20 by Schneider; cleared by Van Hollen, Davies, and Haig (White House); and approved by Rogers.

    • 256. Telegram 5044 From the Embassy in India to the Department of State, New Delhi, April 21, 1972, 1450Z

      Ambassador Keating registered with Indian Foreign Minister Singh an objection to his “unbalanced” statement about the U.S. bombing campaign in North Vietnam. Singh denied that his statement was biased and argued that it was an “objective judgment” on the situation as he saw it. He felt the issue should not prejudice progress toward improved relations.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL INDIA-US. Secret; Priority; Nodis.

    Bangladesh, December 1971-December 1972

    • 421. Memorandum From Harold Saunders of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), Washington, April 21, 1972

      Saunders took note of President Nixon’s intention to shift toward bilateral assistance to Bangladesh and recommended that Kissinger seek the President’s approval to indicate to the Bangladesh Government that such a change was contemplated.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 591, Country Files, Middle East, Bangladesh. Confidential. Sent for action. The attached draft memorandum from Kissinger to Nixon, which called for Nixon to respond to a recommendation that the AID officials in Bangladesh be authorized to indicate the U.S. intention to initiate a bilateral aid program, was not sent and is not published. Kissinger responded to Saunders’ memorandum in a handwritten note on the memorandum: “He intends to go into bilateral aid but to cut down on multilateral aid.” For a record of the SRG meeting on April 17, during which the question of economic assistance to Bangladesh was discussed, see Document 249.

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

    Cuba

  • 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-8944 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-8944-, Pat Price with a group of young people near the Diplomatic Entrance. 4/21/1972, Washington, D.C. Diplomatic Entrance, White House. Pat Price, young people.

    Roll WHPO-8945 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-8945-, William Marumoto standing with unidentified men. 4/21/1972, Washington, D.C. unknown. William Marumoto, unidentified men.

    Roll WHPO-8946 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-8946-, Vice President Agnew on the dais speaking during the National Publishers Convention. 4/21/1972, Washington, D.C. Shoreham Hotel. Agnew, officials, attendees.

    Roll WHPO-8947 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-8947-, Pat Nixon greeting members of the Lincoln Center Choral Festival participants with guests, and listening at a performance. 4/21/1972, Washington, D.C. Rose Garden, White House, South Lawn. Pat Nixon, choral members, officials.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8947-16, Pat Nixon standing for a photo with Lincoln Center Choral Festival participants. 4/21/1972, Washington, D.C. Rose Garden, White House, South Lawn. Pat Nixon, choral members, officials.

    Roll WHPO-8948 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-8948-, Pat Nixon greeting members of the Lincoln Center Choral Festival participants. The Lincoln Center Choral Festival participants performing. 4/21/1972, Washington, D.C. Rose Garden, White House, South Lawn. Pat Nixon, choral members, officials.

    Roll WHPO-8949 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-8949-, Vice President Agnew addressing the National Publishers Convention. 4/21/1972, Washington, D.C. Shoreham Hotel. Agnew, attendees.

  • 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-5297
      "Martin Agronsky: Evening Edition". Canada FTN: U.S. Senator John Tunney (D-CA) and Senator Edward Gurney (R-FL); "MTP": Governor Schaefer of Pennsylvania and U.S. Senator Hugh Scott (R-PA); "I&A": U.S. Senator J. William Fulbright (D-AR).
      CBS, NBC, ABC
      Runtime: 00:29:44

Context (External Sources)