April 7, 1972

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 Key Biscayne, Florida

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.

• Proclamation 4121—National Defense Transportation Day and National Transportation Week, 1972

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 7, 1972

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

• Senate: April 7, 1972
• Extensions of Remarks: April 7, 1972

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 and Unmarked News Summaries [Note: Although there was no News Summary on this date, due to the way News Summary products were compiled, you should also consult nearby days for potentially relevant materials.]

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)
  Friday, April 7.
  
  The President had me over at the house for three hours today during a beautiful sunshiny morning. His principal point of discussion was the problem of our response and activity on domestic issues. He made the point that Ehrlichman has let down the busing hearings thing, he's got to understand that this is his responsibility, that all that matters is the story, not the messages and all that. The problem here is that we've lost the ball. He said he's going to write a memo to Ehrlichman laying out his dissatisfaction with the domestic PR situation and is going to spell it out very clearly that he expects Ehrlichman to drop the substantive activity and move to the more important thing of what word we get out. I strongly encourage this and think that it would be a very constructive move if he does it, because I think we've got a problem now in Ehrlichman getting bogged down and to a great degree losing interest.
  
  On ITT, we still tried to determine strategy. The President felt that I should call Mitchell and make the point that what's important here is not confirming the Attorney General, it's ending the hearings. That I should level with him and make the point that there's too much in the record to risk having it come out. The President believes the Republicans should boycott the hearings. He went back to our meeting with Kleindienst in the library and pointed out that Kleindienst was wrong, MacGregor and Colson were right in their view on that.
  
  He had some other ideas for sort of PR follow-up on ITT, such as getting the story out of the number of people that we see at the White House who have special interests and that there's nothing wrong with doing that, that it's a part of our job.
  
  The other thing we got into in depth was the San Diego Convention question. The President feeling that the move just won't wash, that people will say it's because ITT didn't come through with the money. He suggested a compromise, in inviting all the campaign leaders to San Clemente for a meeting after the Convention, like the Gettysburg farm deal. This is if we move the convention to Miami, make it a campaign planning session with all the governors, candidates and so on, with big TV coverage. He's concerned about Reagan's attitude, if we were to move out of San Diego, and feels that we need a very real reason to move, that we can't fake a move like this. He thinks we ought to get some other PR judgment on it, and I talked to Mitchell later in the day. He said we're progressing on the planning for the move, although it's not irreversible, that we do have a good record on a real reason for moving in the convention hall problem. He feels the problems are: first, the money; second, the potential of the-- not being able to get the hall built; third, the labor bind we may be in on June 2; fourth, the demonstrators; and fifth, the ITT-Sheraton question. His assessment of the San Diego people is that it'd be 50-50 if we moved out. He think we can make a documented-- he thinks we can make a documented case to Reagan that'll wash all right. He thinks that we've got to get someone to talk to Miami and get that worked out. He is still very much in favor, apparently, of moving the Convention.
  
  End of April 7.
• 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 7, 1972
• Date search for April 7, 1972

All National Archives Units

• Text search for April 7, 1972
• Date search for April 7, 1972

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 07 April 1972

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. VIII, Vietnam, January-October 1972

The Easter Offensive, March 30-May 7, 1972

• 69. Diary Entry by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (Moorer), Washington, April 7, 1972, 8:17 a.m.

  Source: National Archives, RG 218, Records of the Chairman, Moorer Diary, July 1970–July 1974.

Vol. XIX, Part 2, Japan, 1969-1972

November 1971-December 1972: Toward a New Equilibrium

• 117. Memorandum From Helmut Sonnenfeldt and William Hyland of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), Washington, April 7, 1972

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Kissinger Office Files, Box 21, HAK Trip Files, HAK’s Japan Visit Jun 1972 [2 of 3]. Confidential. Sent under an April 7 covering information memorandum from Sonnenfeldt and Hyland to Kissinger, in which they stated that the attached memorandum “is largely a reminder of how things [especially Kissinger’s upcoming trip to Japan] may appear in Moscow.” Kissinger initialed his receipt on the covering memorandum.

Vol. XXXII, SALT I, 1969-1972

Narrowing the Issues, October 19, 1971-April 18, 1972

• 253. Memorandum From Philip Odeen and Helmut Sonnenfeldt of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), Washington, April 7, 1972

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 882, SALT, SALT talks (Helenski) [sic], Vol. 17, January–April 1972. Top Secret. Sent for urgent information. Sonnenfeldt did not initial the memorandum.

Vol. E-5, Part 2, Documents on North Africa, 1969-1972

Libya

• 88. Action Memorandum From the Director of the Bureau of Politico-Military Affairs (Spiers) to Secretary of State Rogers, Washington, April 7, 1972

  Since Rogers had decided again to hold the F–5 question in abeyance, Spiers prompted the Secretary to notify Laird and the Spanish Foreign Minister, who had requested approval of the sales to Libya.
  
  Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, DEF 12–5 LIBYA. Secret. Drafted by Chris C. Pappas, Jr. (PM/MAS); and cleared by PM/MAS, AF/N, NEA/PA, EUR/SPP, and AF. The attachments are not printed, but Rogers sent the letters to Laird and Minister of Foreign Affairs Gregorio Lopez Bravo on April 13. (Ibid.)

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.

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-8844 Photographer: Grove, Andrew | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-8844-, Mike Farrell standing with the Tournament of Roses Queen and an unidentified man. 4/7/1972, Washington, D.C. Rose Garden portico, White House. Mike Farrell, Margo Lynn Johnson, unidentified man.

Roll WHPO-8848 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-8848-01A-05A, Vice President Agnew and Judy Agnew, and others, leaving a helicopter. 4/7/1972, Phoenix, Arizona arts and crafts center, Gila River Indian Reservation; school, Blackwater. Spiro Agnew, Judy Agnew, Gov. Alexander Lewis, Lt. Gov. Donald Antone, John Artichoker, Kendall Cummings, officials, teachers, students.
• Frame(s): WHPO-8848-06A-30A, Judy Agnew meeting with school children and officials at an arts and crafts center and at a school. 4/7/1972, Phoenix, Arizona arts and crafts center, Gila River Indian Reservation; school, Blackwater. Spiro Agnew, Judy Agnew, Gov. Alexander Lewis, Lt. Gov. Donald Antone, John Artichoker, Kendall Cummings, officials, teachers, students.

Roll WHPO-8849 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-8849-, Judy Agnew at a social in her honor and photographed alone in a desert landscape. 4/7/1972, Phoenix, Arizona school grounds, landscape, Blackwater. Judy Agnew, children, adults, officials.

Roll WHPO-8850 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-8850-, Judy Agnew in an office and at a social in her honor. 4/7/1972, Phoenix, Arizona office, school grounds, Blackwater. Judy Agnew, children, adults, officials.

Roll WHPO-8856 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-8856-, Pat Nixon leaving a building and at the airport. 4/7/1972, Phoenix, Arizona unknown, airport. Pat Nixon, unidentified men and women.

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.

C - First Lady

• WHCA-SR-C-114
  Remarks by Pat Nixon at a bronze bust ceremony in Plaza Park, San Clemente, California. (4/7/1972, Plaza Park, San Clemente, California)
  
  Runtime: 2:07
  
  Production credits: Audio feed supplied by WHCA; Recorded by SC, CCT (initials of WHCA engineer)
  
  Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.
• WHCA-SR-C-115
  Remarks by the First L at dedication of the John C. Fremont home in Tucson, with Simon Monacke, Gov. Williams, Sidney Brickerhoff, Rev. Francis Green, Mrs. Emory Johson, William Johnson, Harry Montgomery, Rev. Keith Creitner, and Mayor Lou Murphy. (4/7/1972, John C. Fremont Home, Tucson, Arizona)
  
  Runtime: 1:41
  
  Production credits: Audio feed supplied by WHCA; Recorded by LDH (initials of WHCA engineer)
  
  Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.
• WHCA-SR-C-116
  Remarks by Pat Nixon on arrival at Phoenix Airport in Arizona. (4/7/1972, Phoenix, Arizona)
  
  Runtime: 0:38
  
  Production credits: Audio feed supplied by WHCA; Recorded by RSM (initials of WHCA engineer)
  
  Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.
• WHCA-SR-C-117
  First Lady attends the Republican Women's Regional Convention at Del Webb's Town House in Phoenix, Arizona with George Romney. (4/7/1972, Phoenix, Arizona)
  
  Runtime: 2:14
  
  Production credits: Audio feed supplied by WHCA; Recorded by RSM (initials of WHCA engineer)
  
  Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.

E - Secretary of Defense Briefings

• WHCA-SR-E-026
  Press conference by Sec. Def. Melvin Laird. (4/7/1972, Pentagon)
  
  Runtime: 44:43:00
  
  Production credits: Audio feed supplied by OPI; Recorded by REE (initials of WHCA engineer)
  
  Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.

H - White House Staff Member Recordings

• WHCA-SR-H-549
  Press briefing by Robert Finch. (4/7/1972, Family Theater, White House)
  
  Runtime: 55:39:00
  
  Keywords: Press conferences, news conferences, interviews, media
  
  Production credits: Audio feed supplied by WHCA; Recorded by ACH (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-5266
  "Martin Agronsky: Evening Edition". Dennis Walsh.
  Metromedia
  Runtime: 00:29:38
• WHCA-5272
  Weekly News Summary, Tape I.
  ALL NETWORKS
  Runtime: 1:30
  
  1. North Vietnamese offensive escalates in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) , Mekong Delta, central highlands, Cambodian border. Time Code Start: 00:00. Keywords: Cambodia, Vietnam War. Network: ABC.
  
  2. Film report from Bin Long in Vietnam on the communist offensive. Time Code Start: 01:09. Keywords: Vietnam War. Network: ABC.
  
  3. Film report of the fighting in the DMZ and Highway 1 in Vietnam, film of medics treating wounded in the field. Time Code Start: 02:38. Keywords: Vietnam War. Network: ABC.
  
  4. Secretary of Defense Laird criticizes Soviet aid to North Vietnam, accuse Hanoi of disregarding the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), says U.S. bombing will continue until the North pulls back. Time Code Start: 06:05. Keywords: cabinet, advisors, accusations, Soviet Union, Russia, USSR, military, speeches, statements, Vietnam War, Cambodia, bombs. Network: ABC.
  
  5. Aircraft carrier U.S.S. Midway to be sent to Vietnam. Time Code Start: 08:14. Keywords: Vietnam War, Navy, Naval, ships,. Network: ABC.
  
  6. Film interview with U.S. pilot describing the North Vietnamese offensive. Time Code Start: 08:26. Keywords: North Vietnamese Army, Vietnam War. Network: ABC.
  
  7. U.S. government releases economic statistics showing unemployment up to 5.9%, food prices up to 0.1% in March. Time Code Start: 10:13. Keywords: food, meat, agriculture, plants, animal products, dairy products, prices, costs, increases, shortages, economy, economics, budgets, finances, recession, inflation, money, wages, unemployment. Network: ABC.
  
  8. Film report on Council of Economic Advisors (CEA) press briefing. Time Code Start: 10:48. Keywords: C.E.A., cabinet, press conferences, news conferences, interviews, economy, economics, budgets, finances, recession, inflation, money, wages, costs, unemployment, prices. Network: ABC.
  
  9. Film of AFL-CIO President George Meany's critical remarks on President Nixon's economic policies. Time Code Start: 12:06. Keywords: economy, economics, budgets, finances, recession, inflation, money, wages, costs, unemployment, prices, reports. Network: ABC.
  
  10. Report on Senate Judiciary Committee decision to end its investigation of the ITT scandal. Time Code Start: 13:12. Keywords: International Telephone & Telegraph, communications, world, corporations, conglomerates, campaign funding, investigations, , Senate committee hearings. Network: ABC.
  
  11. Film report on International Telephone & Telegraph (ITT Corporation) ownership of factories in Britain. Time Code Start: 13:40. Keywords: International Telephone & Telegraph, communications, world, corporations, conglomerates, campaign funding, investigations, hearings, Europe, England, English, business,. Network: ABC.
  
  12. Howard K. Smith: commentary on U.S. options in the current offensive and Vietnamization. Time Code Start: 15:41. Keywords: Vietnam War. Network: ABC.
  
  13. Film report on Secretary of Defense Laird's press briefing. Time Code Start: 17:19. Keywords: cabinet, advisors, press conferences, news conferences, interviews, military, Cambodia, Vietnam War. Network: NBC.
  
  14. Report on the communist offensive with film from Dong Ha, Quang Tri province and Highway 13 in Vietnam. Time Code Start: 20:09. Keywords: Vietnam War. Network: NBC.
  
  15. Film report: Former President Johnson (LBJ) hospitalized in Virginia with chest pains. Time Code Start: 28:48. Keywords: Presidents, health, hospitals, heart attacks. Network: NBC.
  
  16. Report on government economic statistics for March, with film of Council of Economic Advisors (CEA) press briefing. Time Code Start: 30:37. Keywords: C.E.A., cabinet, press conferences, news conferences, interviews, economy, economics, budgets, finances, recession, inflation, money, wages, costs, unemployment, prices. Network: NBC.
  
  17. Senate Judiciary Committee votes to continue hearing testimony in the International Telephone & Telegraph Corporation (ITT) case. Time Code Start: 33:07. Keywords: International Telephone & Telegraph, communications, world, corporations, conglomerates, campaign funding, investigations, Senate committee hearings, voting. Network: NBC.
  
  18. Report on enemy offensive in South Vietnam. Time Code Start: 33:29. Keywords: Vietnam War. Network: CBS.
  
  19. Combat film of fire fight near Dong Ha, Vietnam. Time Code Start: 36:02. Keywords: Vietnam War. Network: CBS.
  
  20. Report on Secretary of Defense Laird's press briefing. Time Code Start: 39:49. Keywords: cabinet, advisors, media, press conferences, news conferences, interviews, military, Cambodia, Vietnam War. Network: CBS.
  
  21. Senate Democrats call for resumption of Peace Talks. Time Code Start: 40:42. Keywords: Paris Peace Talks, Vietnam War, treaty, treaties, negotiations. Network: CBS.
  
  22. Report on U.S. air and naval units supporting the South Vietnamese. Time Code Start: 41:11. Keywords: Vietnam War, South Vietname, Navy, ships, aircraft. Network: CBS.
  
  23. Former President Johnson (LBJ) hospitalized for chest pains. Time Code Start: 42:03. Keywords: Presidents, health, hospitals, heart attacks. Network: CBS.
  
  24. Report on latest economic figures release for March, film of Council of Economic Advisors (CEA) press briefing, AFL-CIO President George Meany's remarks to National Press Club. Time Code Start: 42:26. Keywords: C.E.A., leaders, labor, unions, American Federation of Labor, Congress of Industrial Organizations, economy, economics, budgets, finances, recession, inflation, money, wages, costs, unemployment. Network: CBS.
  
  25. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) admits over 40% of U.S. companies paid no corporate income taxes. Time Code Start: 44:29. Keywords: Internal Revenue Service, income taxes, taxation, revenue, audits, investigations, business corporations, payments. Network: CBS.
  
  26. Film report on the impact of new campaign. Time Code Start: 45:04. Keywords: Presidential elections, campaigns, campaigning, candidates. Network: CBS.
  
  27. Report on the Muskie campaign. Time Code Start: 50:40. Keywords: Presidential elections, campaigns, campaigning, candidates. Network: CBS.
  
  28. Eric Sevareid analysis of the five regional primaries proposal and the unfocused nature of political discontent. Time Code Start: 51:10. Keywords: Presidential elections, campaigns, campaigning, candidates, primaries, voting. Network: CBS.

• LIFE magazine of April 7, 1972

• New York Times of April 7, 1972

• AP Images photos from April 7, 1972
• Getty Images photos from April 7, 1972

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 1972 Broadcast Index

Wikipedia is a free encyclopedia that anyone can edit.

• April 7, 1972