1. Home
  2. Research
  3. Almanac

April 4, 1973

Introduction

This almanac page for Wednesday, April 4, 1973, 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 3, 1973

Next Date: Thursday, April 5, 1973

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 San Clemente, California

  • 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

  • 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.

  • 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. XV, Soviet Union, June 1972-August 1974

    Summit Preparations; Jackson-Vanik Amendment; Non-Use of Nuclear Weapons, December 1972-April 1973

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

    Horn of Africa

    • 83. Memorandum of Conversation, Washington, April 4, 1973

      Assistant Secretary Newsom and Ethiopian Ambassador Kifle Wodajo discussed the status of the Emperor’s request for a meeting with President Nixon and limitations on U.S. military assistance for Ethiopia.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 13 ETH. Confidential. Drafted by Melone; cleared by Newsom.

  • 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-E0542 Photographer: ROYER | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E0542-, Vice President Agnew meeting with Vietnamese head of state Lee. 4/4/1973, unknown unknown. Spiro Agnew, Lee.

    Roll WHPO-E0555 Photographer: ROYER | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E0555-, Julie Eisenhower attending Rehabilitation International USA Seminar Reception. 4/4/1973, Washington, D.C. Department of State building. Julie Nixon Eisenhower, Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs John Richardson, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the U.S. Committee of Rehabilitation International Mrs. Helen Walsh, Chairman and CEO of Xerox Corporation and Member of the Board of Directors of Rehabilitation Internationa Rm. Peter McColough, guests.

    Roll WHPO-E0556 Photographer: ROYER | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E0556-, Julie Eisenhower attending Rehabilitation International USA Seminar Reception. 4/4/1973, Washington, D.C. Department of State building. Julie Nixon Eisenhower, Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs John Richardson, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the U.S. Committee of Rehabilitation International Mrs. Helen Walsh, Chairman and CEO of Xerox Corporation and Member of the Board of Directors of Rehabilitation Internationa Rm. Peter McColough, guests.

  • 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.

    D - First Family

    • WHCA-SR-D-043
      Remarks by Julie Nixon Eisenhower to the Seminar Rehabilitation International USA reception at the State Department. (4/4/1973, Diplomatic Reception Area, The State Department)

      Runtime: 1:49

      Production credits: Audio feed supplied by State Dept.; Recorded by LSB (initials of WHCA engineer)

      Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.
    • WHCA-SR-D-044
      Remarks by Julie Nixon Eisenhower to the Handicapped Federal Employee of the Year in the Department of Commerce Auditorium. (4/4/1973, Department of Commerce Auditorium)

      Runtime: 4:39

      Production credits: Audio feed supplied by Commerce Dept.; Recorded by JMM (initials of WHCA engineer)

      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-051
      Press briefing by Gerald Warren. (4/4/1973, Laguna Beach, P.C., California)

      Runtime: 18:00

      Keywords: Press conferences, news conferences, interviews, media

      Production credits: Audio feed supplied by WHCA; Recorded by MAN (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-6219
      Weekly News Summary, Tape III.
      ALL NETWORKS
      Runtime: 01:03:24

      15. Smith/Zimmerman: food prices with Patman. Time Code Start: 43:50. Keywords: food, meat, agriculture, animal products, dairy products, prices, costs, increases, shortages. Network: ABC.

      16. Smith/Kincaid/Kanestner/Brannigan: Meat boycott, prices. Time Code Start: 46:11. Keywords: food, meats, animal products, markets, retail stores, prices, costs, increases, shortages, protests, boycotts. Network: ABC.

      17. Smith/Donaldson: Watergate with Kleindienst. Time Code Start: 49:21. Keywords: Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals. Network: ABC.

      18. Smith/Koppel: Cambodia; South Vietnam's President Thieu wrap-up. Time Code Start: 52:04. Keywords: Cambodia, Vietnam War, South Vietnam, Presidents, travel, trips. Network: ABC.

      19. Smith/Bell: Vietnam war aftermath, film from Hanoi. Time Code Start: 54:40. Keywords: Vietnam War. Network: ABC.

      20. Smith: Commentary on Jane Fonda. Time Code Start: 57:26. Keywords: Actor, actors, celebrities, movies, actresses, activists, Vietnam War, activism, reports. Network: ABC.

      21. Chancellor/Dancy/Nessen: Food price forecast, meat boycott. Time Code Start: 59:20. Keywords: food, meats, animal products, markets, retail stores, prices, costs, increases, shortages, protests, boycotts. Network: NBC.
    • WHCA-6221
      Weekly News Summary, Tape IV.
      ALL NETWORKS
      Runtime: 01:00:10

      1. Chancellor/Brady/Duke: Serious fighting in Cambodia with Admiral Moorer, Secretary of Defense Richardson, Senator Ted Kennedy. Time Code Start: 00:00. Keywords: Cambodia, Vietnam War, cabinet, advisors, military leaders, Senators, interviews. Network: NBC.

      2. Chancellor: South Vietnam's President Thieu arrival at Andrews Air Force Base. Time Code Start: 05:18. Keywords: South Vietnam, Presidents, travel, trips, Armed Forces, military, air bases, airfields, airports. Network: NBC.

      3. Chancellor: Watergate. Time Code Start: 06:58. Keywords: Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals. Network: NBC.

      4. Chancellor/Jones/Brinkley: Fifth anniversary of Martin Luther King's death. Time Code Start: 07:43. Keywords: activists, civil rights, religion, leaders, ministers, African Americans, assassinations, shootings, death. Network: NBC.

      5. Cronkite/Schieffer: Phnom Penh, Cambodia in trouble with Admiral Moorer and Secretary of Defense Richardson; Senator Ted Kennedy. Time Code Start: 11:46. Keywords: Cambodia, Vietnam War, cities, military officials, Senators, cabinet, advisors. Network: CBS.

      6. Cronkite/Stahl: Watergate. Time Code Start: 14:30. Keywords: Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals. Network: CBS.

      7. Cronkite/Walker: Anniversary of Martin Luther King's death. Time Code Start: 16:20. Keywords: activists, civil rights, religion, leaders, ministers, African Americans, assassinations, shootings, death. Network: CBS.

      8. Cronkite/Sevareid: Price control speculation, boycott. Time Code Start: 20:30. Keywords: wage and price controls, freezes, prices, costs, increases, decreases, economy, economics, budgets, finances, recession, inflation, money, boycotts. Network: CBS.

      9. Cronkite/Morton: More on POW torture, first report on Vietnam veteran. Time Code Start: 24:23. Keywords: Vietnam War, Vietnam Prisoner of War, prisons, punishments, abuses, atrocity, atrocities, interviews. Network: CBS.

Context (External Sources)