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April 3, 1974

Introduction

This almanac page for Wednesday, April 3, 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 2, 1974

Next Date: Thursday, April 4, 1974

Schedule and Public 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. XXVI, Arab-Israeli Dispute, 1974-1976

    Syrian-Israeli Disengagement Agreement, January-May 1974

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

    International Information Policy, Public Diplomacy, and Cultural Affairs

    • 97. Address by the Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs (Richardson), Denver, April 3, 1974

      Source: Department of State Bulletin, May 6, 1974, pp. 489–496. Richardson delivered his address to the Institute of International Education. Richardson’s address evidently stemmed from his September 27, 1973, memorandum in which he urged Kissinger to consider “an early initiative in the area of cross-cultural communication.” Richardson continued, “The goals would be to increase support here and abroad for purposeful efforts of official and unofficial agencies to reduce culture, ideological and other barriers to human communication, to build habits and mechanisms of intercultural cooperation, [and] to strengthen trends toward world community.” Among Richardson’s specific proposals was the cultivation of “a new focus in this country on intercultural education.” On October 3, Kissinger approved the further development of Richardson’s ideas. (Washington National Records Center, RG 59, Records of the Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs, Subject Files, 1960–1976: Lot 78 D 184, International Cultural Planning Group (ICPG), 1973)

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

    Nicaragua

    • 243. Memorandum From the Executive Secretary of the Department of State (Springsteen) to the President’s Deputy Assistant for National Security Affairs (Scowcroft), Washington, April 3, 1974

      Summary: The Department of State recommended that President Nixon politely refuse Somoza’s request for an appointment during a private visit to Washington, noting that such a meeting could be misinterpreted in Nicaragua and elsewhere in Latin America as a U.S. endorsement of Somoza and his candidacy for the Nicaraguan Presidency.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P740043–1517. Confidential. Drafted by Lippe and cleared by Bowdler and Lazar. A notation on the memorandum reads: “Request for appointment denied per Davis memo of 4/11/74 (S/S–7407273).” In an April 11 memorandum to Springsteen, Davis informed the Department that Scowcroft had called Somoza on August 10 to inform him that Nixon’s schedule was such that a meeting would be impossible. (Ibid., P740043–1522)

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

    Chile

    • 164. Telegram 1687 From the Embassy in Chile to the Embassy in Panama and the Department of State, Santiago, April 3, 1974, 1800Z

      Summary: In Santiago for a meeting of the IDB Board of Governors, Shultz discussed economic and human rights issues with Pinochet.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D740074–0992. Confidential; Immediate; Exdis. Sent to Panama for Shultz and Hennessy. In telegram 1726 from Santiago, April 4, the Embassy concluded that Shultz seemed to convince Pinochet of the harmful potential of criticism Chilean human rights abuses. (Ibid., D740076–0934) In telegram 1731 from Santiago, April 4, Popper reported that he had spoken to Huerta about human rights along similar lines, drawing upon the instructions he had received in telegram 64524 to Santiago, published as Document 163. (Ibid., D74077–0016)

  • 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-E2548 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2548-03-32, Robert Miller closeups and portraits taken while standing by a framed painting or poster of "The Spirit of '76", originally called "Yankee Doodle", by A.M. Willard, circa 1875. Showing wounded Revolutionery War drummers and piper marching through a war field. 4/3/1974, unknown office.

    Roll WHPO-E2553 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2553-03-21, Pat Nixon attends a ceremony designating the Old Patent Office, which houses the National Portrait Gallery and the Smithsonian American Art Museum, as a National Historic Landmark. 4/3/1974, Washington, D.C. Old Patent Office. Pat Nixon, unidentified persons.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2553-17, Pat Nixon attends a ceremony designating the Old Patent Office, which houses the National Portrait Gallery and the Smithsonian American Art Museum, as a National Historic Landmark. 4/3/1974, Washington, D.C. Old Patent Office. Pat Nixon, unidentified persons.

  • 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-265
      Remarks to Farm Leaders-Rm. 450, O.E.O.B. (4/3/1974)

      Runtime: 31:00:00

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

    P - Formal Presidential Remarks

    • WHCA-SR-P-740401
      Remarks by President Nixon on signing the Cancer Proclamation. (4/3/1974)

      Runtime: 9:40

      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-538
      Briefing of the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce wives by Pamela Powell. (4/3/1974, Family Theater)

      Runtime: 44:00:00

      Keywords: Briefings, private briefings

      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-539
      Briefing of members of the Agricultural Education Foundation by Max Friedersdorf. (4/3/1974, Family Theater)

      Runtime: 35:00:00

      Keywords: Briefings, private briefings

      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-540
      Press briefing by Gerald Warren. (4/3/1974, White House Press Lobby)

      Runtime: 38:00:00

      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-541
      Press briefing by the President's Cancer Council following a meeting with him. (4/3/1974, White House Press Lobby)

      Runtime: 12:10

      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-6862
      "Panorama". Reps. Sandman and Flowers.
      Metromedia
      Runtime: 01:29:08
    • WHCA-6863
      "A Question of Impeachment", Tape I. Movie Cast: Henry Fonda, Robert Shaw, Robert Ryan, Dana Andrews, George Montgomery, Ty Hardin, Charles Bronson, Pier Angeli, Barbara Werle, Telly Savalas, James MacArthur, Werner Peters, Hans Christian Blech.
      ALL NETWORKS
      Runtime: 1:30
    • WHCA-6864
      "A Question of Impeachment", Tape II.
      CBS
      Runtime: 1:30
    • WHCA-6874
      Weekly News Summary, Tape I.
      ALL NETWORKS

      34. Smith/Clark: President Nixon owes $476,000 in back taxes with Representative Mills and Senator Long. Time Code Start: 76:39. Keywords: Presidents, Internal Revenue Service, taxes, taxation, revenue, audits, investigations, state taxes. Network: ABC.

      35. Smith/Schoumacher: Chapin trial, John Dean testimony. Time Code Start: 80:00. Keywords: Dirty Tricks, political sabotage, trials, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, Presidential elections, campaigns. Network: ABC.

      36. Reasoner/Tucker: Boston, Massachusetts busing. Time Code Start: 82:08. Keywords: bills, laws, legislation, desegregation, racism, racial discrimination, African Americans, schools, students, transportation, reports. Network: ABC.

      37. Chancellor/Mackin: President Nixon owes back taxes, his deductions not allowed. Time Code Start: 84:57. Keywords: Presidents, Internal Revenue Service, taxes, taxation, revenue, audits, investigations, state taxes. Network: NBC.

      38. Chancellor: More on President Nixon's taxes. Time Code Start: 88:50. Keywords: Presidents, Internal Revenue Service, taxes, taxation, revenue, audits, investigations, state taxes. Network: NBC.

      39. Chancellor: Lieutenant Governor Reinecke of California indicted in International Telephone & Telegraph (ITT Corporation) case. Time Code Start: 89:52. Keywords: Watergate, International Telephone & Telegraph, communications, world, corporations, conglomerates, campaign funding, investigations, hearings. Network: NBC.

      40. Chancellor/Stern: The Chapin trial, jury to bring in verdict. Time Code Start: 91:21. Keywords: Dirty Tricks, political sabotage, trials, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, Presidential elections, campaigns. Network: NBC.
    • WHCA-6875
      Weekly News Summary, Tape II.
      ALL NETWORKS

      1. Chancellor/Jamieson: Drug raid in Alton, Illinois. Time Code Start: 00:00. Keywords: police, arrests, drugs, offences, infractions, criminals, criminality, law breaking. Network: NBC.

      2. Chancellor/Pettit: Secretary of State Kissinger's honeymoon. Time Code Start: 01:55. Keywords: marriages, weddings, cabinet, advisors. Network: NBC.

      3. Cronkite/Rather/Schorr: President Nixon says he will pay back taxes, investigating committee discloses deductions they felt were illegal. Time Code Start: 04:07. Keywords: Presidents, Internal Revenue Service, taxes, taxation, revenue, audits, investigations, state taxes. Network: NBC.

      4. Cronkite/Threlkeld/Drinkwater: Patty Hearst kidnapping and developments. Time Code Start: 09:01. Keywords: Symbionese Liberation Army, SLA, militants, organizations, plots, conspiracy, conspiracies, kidnappings, terrorism, victims, crime, crimes, offences, infractions, criminals, criminality, law breaking, law and order. Network: NBC.

      5. Cronkite/Graham: Chapin trial, jury decision soon. Time Code Start: 13:07. Keywords: Dirty Tricks, political sabotage, trials, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, Presidential elections, campaigns. Network: NBC.

      6. Sevareid: Commentary on the leak of confidential information controversy over confidential cable on American policy in Indochina. Time Code Start: 14:40. Keywords: Indochina war, Vietnam war, Henry Kissinger, South Vietnam Ambassador Graham Martin, investigations. Network: CBS.

Context (External Sources)