April 23, 1971

Introduction

This almanac page for Friday, April 23, 1971, 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 22, 1971

Next Date: Saturday, April 24, 1971

Schedule and Public Documents

The Daily Diary files represent a consolidated record of the President's activities. Visit the finding aid to learn more.
- Original typewritten diary (PDF)
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.
- Executive Order 11590—Applicability of Executive Order No. 11222 and Executive Order 11478 to the United States Postal Service and of Executive Order No. 11478 to the Postal Rate Commission
- Executive Order 11591—Amending Executive Order No. 11157 as it Relates to Basic Allowances for Quarters for Members with Dependents
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.
- Federal Register of Friday, April 23, 1971
The Congressional Record is the official daily record of the debates and proceedings of the U.S. Congress.
- Senate: April 23, 1971
- Extensions of Remarks: April 23, 1971

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.
- Annotated News Summaries, Box 30, News Summaries - April 1971 [During this period, the Staff Secretary only removed pages from the News Summaries which contained President Nixon's handwriting, often leaving the document with no date. Although there are no specific documents with this date, you should also consult the full folder for the month.]
- President's Daily Schedule, Box 101, [President's Daily Schedule, Mar.-May 1971] [2 of 3]
  - The President's Schedule, Friday - April 23, 1971
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.
- Transcript of diary entry (PDF)
- Original audio recording (MP3)
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
- Text search for April 23, 1971
- Date search for April 23, 1971
All National Archives Units
- Text search for April 23, 1971
- Date search for April 23, 1971

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.
- President's Daily Brief of 23 April 1971
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
Chinese Representation in the United Nations
- 349. Record of Conversation, Taipei, April 23, 1971
  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 828, Name Files, Murphy, Robert. Top Secret. Forwarded to Kissinger by Melvin H. Levine on May 3, along with a draft covering memorandum for the President and Murphy’s covering letter to Kissinger. (Ibid., Box 1031, Files for the President, China Materials, Exchanges Leading up to HAK’s Trip to China, December 1969–July 1971) The package was not forwarded to Nixon.
Vol. VII, Vietnam, July 1970-January 1972
The Consequences of Operation Lan Som 719 and the Search for a Settlement, April 8-October 6, 1971
- 189. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon, Washington, April 23, 1971
  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 92, Vietnam Subject Files, Sir Robert Thompson (71). Secret. Sent for information. A stamped notation on the memorandum reads, “The President has seen.” Holdridge forwarded it to Kissinger under an April 23 covering memorandum, indicating that it was a revised text of an April 16 memorandum from Smyser to Kissinger, which Kissinger had asked be prepared for the President. (Ibid.)
- 190. Conversation Between President Nixon and his Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), Washington, April 23, 1971
  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, White House Tapes, Oval Office, Conversation 487-7. No classification marking. The editors transcribed the portions of the tape recording printed here specifically for this volume. This exchange is part of a larger conversation, 11:56 a.m.-12:19 p.m.
Vol. XIII, Soviet Union, October 1970-October 1971
"One of Two Routes": Soviet-American Relations and Kissinger's Secret Trip to China, April 23-July 18, 1971
- 188. Conversation Between President Nixon and the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), Washington, April 23, 1971
  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, White House Tapes, Conversation 487–7. No classification marking. The editors transcribed the portion of the tape recording printed here specifically for this volume. According to the President’s Daily Diary, Nixon and Kissinger met in the Oval Office on April 23 from 11:56 a.m. to 12:19 p.m. (Ibid., White House Central Files)
- 189. Memorandum of Conversation, Washington, April 23, 1971, 1 p.m.
  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 491, President’s Trip Files, Dobrynin/Kissinger, 1971, Vol. 5 [part 1]. Top Secret; Sensitive; Eyes Only. All brackets are in the original. According to another copy, Kissinger and Young drafted the memorandum of conversation on April 26. (Ibid., Kissinger Office Files, Box 59, Country Files, Europe, Berlin, Vol. 3 [1 of 2]) Kissinger then forwarded it and a memorandum summarizing its “highlights” to the President on April 28. A note on the summary memorandum indicates that the President saw it. According to Kissinger’s Record of Schedule, the meeting lasted until 3:13 pm. (Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Kissinger Papers, Box 438, Miscellany, 1968–76) For their memoir accounts, see Kissinger, White House Years, pp. 817, 827–828, 834; and Dobrynin, In Confidence, pp. 220–221.
- 190. Conversation Between President Nixon and the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), Washington, April 23, 1971
  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, White House Tapes, Conversation 487–21. No classification marking. The editors transcribed the portion of the tape recording printed here specifically for this volume. According to the President’s Daily Diary, Nixon met Kissinger in the Oval Office from 3:20 to 3:36 p.m. (Ibid., White House Central Files)
Vol. XXIX, Eastern Mediterranean, 1969-1972
Greece
- 311. Telegram From the Embassy in Greece to the Department of State, Athens, April 23, 1971, 1635Z
  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 594, Country Files—Middle East, Greece, Vol. II 1 Nov 1970–31 Dec 1971. Secret; Nodis.
- 312. Backchannel Message From the Ambassador to Greece (Tasca) to the Presidentʼs Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), Athens, April 23, 1971
  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 423, Backchannel Files—Backchannel Messages, Europe, Middle East, and Latin America, 1971. Top Secret; Sensitive; Eyes Only. There is no time of transmission or receipt on the telegram.
Vol. XXXII, SALT I, 1969-1972
From Stalemate to Breakthrough, August 24, 1970-May 20, 1971
- 149. Memorandum of Conversation, Washington, April 23, 1971, 1 p.m.
  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 497, President’s Trip Files, Exchange of Notes Between Dobrynin and Kissinger, Vol. 1. Top Secret; Sensitive; Eyes Only. The conversation took place during lunch in the Map Room at the White House. The full text of the memorandum of conversation is printed in Foreign Relations, 1969–1976, volume XIII, Soviet Union, October 1970–September 1971, Document 189.
- 150. Conversation Among President Nixon, the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), and the Assistant to the President (Haldeman), Washington, April 23, 1971
  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, White House Tapes, Oval Office, Conversation No. 487–21. No classification marking. According to the President’s Daily Diary, Nixon met with Haldeman from 2:52 to 3:36 p.m.; Kissinger entered the Oval Office at 3:20 p.m. (Ibid., White House Central Files) The editor transcribed the portion of the conversation printed specifically for this volume.
Vol. XLI, Western Europe; NATO, 1969-1972
Western Europe Region and NATO
- 61. Minutes of a Verification Panel Meeting, Washington, April 23, 1971, 3:40-4:25 p.m.
  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–107, Verification Panel Minutes, Verification Panel Minutes Originals 1971. Top Secret; Sensitive. The meeting took place in the White House Situation Room. The participants considered yet another version of the NSSM 84 report dated April 12, a copy of which is ibid., Box H–168, National Security Study Memoranda, NSSM 84 (3 of 3).
Vol. E-1, Documents on Global Issues, 1969-1972
International Cooperation in Space, 1969-1972
- 263. Summary of Discussions, Washington, April 23, 1971, 6 p.m.
  Minutes of Kissinger’s meeting with officials from NASA, OST, NSC, and other White House staff on post-Apollo space cooperation with the Europeans.
  
  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 393, Subject Files, Space Programs, 1971. Confidential. The meeting took place in the White House Situation Room.Behr prepared talking points for Kissinger for this meeting. (Ibid.)
Vol. E-16, Documents on Chile, 1969-1973
Cool and Correct: The U.S. Response to the Allende Administration, November 5, 1970-December 31, 1972
- 63. Conversation Between President Nixon and the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), Washington, April 23, 1971
  Summary: Nixon and Kissinger discussed how to handle Korry.
  
  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, White House Tapes, Conversation 487–7. Secret. According to the President’s Daily Diary, Nixon and Kissinger met in the Oval Office from 11:56 a.m. to 12:19 p.m. (Ibid., White House Central Files) The editors transcribed the portion of the conversation printed here specifically for this volume.
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 Tapes are sound recordings of President Richard Nixon's telephone conversations and of meetings held in the Oval Office and the Cabinet Room in the White House, the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building (OEOB), the Lincoln Sitting Room in the residence section of the White House, and several locations at the Presidential retreat at Camp David, Maryland. These recordings document many of the major events and decisions of the Nixon Administration from February 16, 1971 to July 18, 1973. Visit the White House Tapes finding aid to learn about the taping system's operation and archival processing.
Oval Office
White House Telephone
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-6133 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W
- Frame(s): WHPO-6133-03-24, 26-29, President Nixon seated with Michael Newton, the Better Hearing and Speech Month Campaign's poster child. 4/23/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Michael Newton.
- Frame(s): WHPO-6133-13, President Nixon sitting on the Oval Office desk holding and talking to young Michael Newton, the Better Hearing and Speech Month Campaign poster child. 4/23/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Michael Newton.
- Frame(s): WHPO-6133-24, President Nixon sitting on the Oval Office desk holding young Michael Newton, the Better Hearing and Speech Month Campaign poster child, while Michael pets Pasha, the Nixon family's Yorkshire Terrier dog. 4/23/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Michael Newton, Pasha.
- Frame(s): WHPO-6133-25, President Nixon sitting on the Oval Office desk holding young Michael Newton, the Better Hearing and Speech Month Campaign poster child, while Michael pets Pasha the Nixon family's Yorkshire Terrier dog. 4/23/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Michael Newton, Pasha.
- Frame(s): WHPO-6133-30-37, President Nixon standing with the Better Hearing and Speech Month Campaign poster child, Michael Newton, his parents, and unidentified persons. 4/23/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Michael Newton, Richard Newton, Mrs. Richard Newton, unidentified persons.
Roll WHPO-6134 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W
- Frame(s): WHPO-6134-02-06, President Nixon standing with enry Cashen, Ray Cashen, Mrs. Ray Cashen, Arnold Sax, and Mrs. Arnold Sax. 4/23/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Henry Cashen, Ray Cashen, Mrs. Ray Cashen, Arnold Sax, Mrs. Arnold Sax.
Roll WHPO-6135 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W
- Frame(s): WHPO-6135-02-04, President Nixon sittingy with Arthur Flemming, John Martin, Elliot Richardson, and Leonard Garment. 4/23/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Arthur Flemming, John Martin, Elliot Richardson, Leonard Garment.
- Frame(s): WHPO-6135-07-21, President Nixon sitting on the Oval Office desk holding young Michael Newton, the Better Hearing and Speech Month Campaign poster child, while Newton family members, and officials of hearing and speech organizations stand nearby. 4/23/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Michael Newton, Lt. & Mrs. Richard Newton, Edward Merrill, Jr., Edgar Porter, Bradley Dunn, Susan Segrest, Mary Haimbach, Karen Luzak, Mary Switzer, Manolo Sanchez, Pasha.
- Frame(s): WHPO-6135-15A, President Nixon sitting on the Oval Office desk holding young Michael Newton, the Better Hearing and Speech Month Campaign poster child, while Michael pets Pasha the Nixon family's Yorkshire Terrier dog. 4/23/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Michael Newton, Pasha.
- Frame(s): WHPO-6135-23-32, President Nixon standing with Sen. James Allen, Rep. John Buchanan, and representatives of various Alabama organizations. 4/23/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, James Allen, John Buchanan, Norman Pless, Elton Stevens, George Siebels.
Roll WHPO-6136 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W
- Frame(s): WHPO-6136-02A-05A, John Nidecker with a group of students. 4/23/1971, Washington, D.C. unknown. John Nidecker, students.
Roll WHPO-6137 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W
- Frame(s): WHPO-6137-01A-28A, Judy Agnew attending a birthday party given by women in her honor. 4/23/1971, Washington, D.C. unknown. Judy Agnew, unidentified women.
Roll WHPO-6138 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: Color
- Frame(s): WHPO-6138-01-04, Portraits of Vice President Agnew and Judy Agnew outdoors. 4/23/1971, Washington, D.C. unknown. Spiro Agnew, Judy Agnew.
- Frame(s): WHPO-6138-03, Standing portrait of Vice President Agnew and Judy Agnew outdoors. 4/23/1971, Washington, D.C. unknown. Spiro Agnew, Judy Agnew.
- Frame(s): WHPO-6138-05-21, Portrait of Judy Agnew outdoors. 4/23/1971, Washington, D.C. unknown. Judy Agnew.
- Frame(s): WHPO-6138-22-23, Unidentified young girl outdoors. 4/23/1971, Washington, D.C. unknown. unidentified girl.
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.
F - Secretary of State Briefings
- WHCA-SR-F-015
  Press conference by Sec. Rogers. (4/23/1971, State Department)
  
  Runtime: 30:00:00
  
  Production credits: Audio feed supplied by State Department; Recorded by LRR (initials of WHCA engineer)
  
  Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.
G - Cabinet Officer Briefings
- WHCA-SR-G-103
  Press briefing by Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare Elliot Richardson. (4/23/1971, Press Center)
  
  Runtime: 13:00
  
  Production credits: Audio feed supplied by WHCA; Recorded by LRR (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-4299
  "The David Frost Show". Steiger on Waterloo; Fonda on GI show at Fort Bragg Show: "Fuck the Army Show," discusses soldiers protesting the war; soldiers on Cambodian soil
  PBS
  Runtime: 01:28:00
- WHCA-4302
  Weekly News Summary, Tape III. Vietnam Veterans, Cronkite, McGee, Gill, Harry Reasoner, Shultz.
  ALL NETWORKS
  Runtime: 00:34:33
  
  1. Smith/Windsor/Geer: Demonstrators and violence potential (Mitchell). Time Code Start: 00:00. Keywords: demonstrations, rally, protesters, demonstraters, Vietnam War, anti-war, violence. Network: ABC.
  
  2. Smith/Gill: Secretary of State Rogers trip to Middle East. Time Code Start: 03:46. Keywords: Middle East, Mideast, war, cabinet, advisors, travel, trips. Network: ABC.
  
  3. Reasoner: Commentary on veterans demonstration. Time Code Start: 05:56. Keywords: demonstrations, rally, protests, protesters, demonstraters, demonstrators, Vietnam War, anti-war. Network: ABC.
  
  4. Brinkley/McGee: Film shows Vietnam Vets Against the War throw away medals; Mansfield believes vets. demonstrations have impact on ending war; 100-200,000 anti-war protesters expected in Washington, D.C. in next 2 weeks; troops on alert. Time Code Start: 07:39. Keywords: Vietnam War, veterans, demonstrations, rallys, protests, protesters, demonstraters, demonstrators, anti-war, awards. Network: NBC.
  
  5. McGee: Vietnam. Time Code Start: 12:02. Keywords: Vietnam War. Network: NBC.
  
  6. McGee/Valeriani: Middle East (Secretary of State Rogers). Time Code Start: 12:50. Keywords: Middle East, Mideast, war, cabinet, advisors. Network: NBC.
  
  7. McGee/DonNorth: Urbanization in South Vietnam. Time Code Start: 15:24. Keywords: Vietnam War, cities, growth, populations, relocations. Network: NBC.
  
  8. Cronkite/Morton/Schieffer: Vietnam veterans; demonstration potential (Attn. Gen. Mitchell). Time Code Start: 18:40. Keywords: demonstrations, rally, protests, protesters, demonstraters, demonstrators, Vietnam War, anti-war. Network: CBS.
  
  9. Cronkite/Rabel: War and reporting it; Representative McCloskey on Laos. Time Code Start: 24:14. Keywords: Laos, Vietnam War, media, reporters, investigations. Network: CBS.

Context (External Sources)

- LIFE magazine of April 23, 1971
- New York Times of April 23, 1971
- AP Images photos from April 23, 1971
- Getty Images photos from April 23, 1971
The Vanderbilt Television News Archive is the world's most extensive and complete archive of television news. They have been recording, preserving and providing access to television news broadcasts of the national networks since August 5, 1968.
- April 1971 Broadcast Index
Wikipedia is a free encyclopedia that anyone can edit.
- April 23, 1971

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