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August 18, 1972

Introduction

This almanac page for Friday, August 18, 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, August 17, 1972

Next Date: Saturday, August 19, 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. VIII, Vietnam, January-October 1972

    The Parties Move Toward Agreement, July 19-October 7, 1972

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

    Post-Moscow Summit Discussions and Issues, June-August 1972

    • 28. Transcript of Telephone Conversation Between the President’s Deputy Assistant for National Security Affairs (Haig) and Secretary of State Rogers, Washington, August 18, 1972, 8:45 a.m.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 998, Alexander M. Haig Chronological Files, HaigTelcons, 1972 [1 of 2]. No classification marking. In message Tohak 78, August 18, Haig informed Kissinger that he had carried out the instructions regarding Rogers’ proposed meeting with Dobrynin over the exit fee issue. Haig wrote that “I have brutalized Rogers after clearing it with the President, and there will be no contacts whatsoever with the Soviets.” He continued: “The meeting with Rogers and the Jewish leaders will proceed without press in the most low-keyed way this afternoon. I have talked to Rogers about it personally, and he understands and will comply. There will be no public statement by the White House or State. Ron [Ziegler] will defer to State.” (Ibid., Kissinger Office Files, Box 23, HAK Trip Files, HAK’s Secret Paris Trip, Switzerland, Saigon, Tokyo, August 13–19, 1972, To/Frm 86971 & Backchannels)

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

    November 1971-December 1972: Toward a New Equilibrium

    Vol. XX, Southeast Asia, 1969-1972

    Thailand

    Vol. XXIV, Middle East Region and Arabian Peninsula, 1969-1972; Jordan, September 1970

    Persian Gulf States

    • 120. National Security Decision Memorandum 186, Washington, August 18, 1972

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–236, National Security Decision Memoranda, NSDM 186. Secret. Copies were sent to Helms and George Shultz, Director, Office of Management and Budget.

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

    Burundi

    • 221. Telegram 27189 From the White House to the Embassy in Japan, Washington, August 18, 1972, 1430Z

      The telegram transmitted a memorandum to Kissinger from the Situation Room reporting on the continuing extermination of Hutus. Among Africans, only Congo President Mobutu was willing to involve the Organization of African Unity.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Kissinger Office Files, Kissinger Trip Files, K/023/01/063. Top Secret; Sensitive; Contains Codeword.

  • 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

  • Visit the White House Tapes finding aid to learn about the taping system's operation and archival processing.

    Camp David Hard Wire

    Camp David Study Table

  • 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-9830 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-9830-02-09, President Nixon and Reagan on a golf cart with Haig and Meese. 8/18/1972, Camp David, Maryland grounds. President Nixon, Reagan, Edwin Meese, Haig, Ziegler, aides.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-9830-10-32, Candid photos of President Nixon on the Camp David grounds. 8/18/1972, Camp David, Maryland grounds. President Nixon, Reagan, Edwin Meese, Haig, Ziegler, aides.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-9830-15, President Nixon wearing a sports coat, leaning on a wooden fence on the Camp David grounds. 8/18/1972, Camp David, Maryland grounds. President Nixon.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-9830-16, Portrait of President Nixon wearing a sports coat and patterned shirt on the Camp David grounds. 8/18/1972, Camp David, Maryland grounds. President Nixon.

    Roll WHPO-9831 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-9831-, Photos of President Nixon with Ziegler and alone. 8/18/1972, Camp David, Maryland Aspen Lodge. President Nixon, Ziegler.

    Roll WHPO-9832 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-9832-, Candids of Nixon. 8/18/1972, Camp David, Maryland Aspen Lodge. President Nixon.

    Roll WHPO-9833 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-9833-, Candids of President Nixon on the grounds and in front of the entrance to Aspen Lodge. 8/18/1972, Camp David, Maryland grounds, Aspen Lodge entrance. President Nixon, King Timahoe.

    Roll WHPO-9834 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-9834-03-07, President Nixon standing with Reagan and with him and Meese on a golf cart. 8/18/1972, Camp David, Maryland Laurel Lodge, grounds. President Nixon, Reagan, Edwin Meese, Ziegler.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-9834-07, President Nixon sitting in a golf cart with Governor Ronald Reagan and Edwin Meese. 8/18/1972, Camp David, Maryland Laurel Lodge, grounds. President Nixon, Ronald Reagan, Edwin Meese, unidentified person.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-9834-08-35, Ronald Ziegler alone and with President Nixon. President Nixon walking on the grounds. 8/18/1972, Camp David, Maryland Laurel Lodge, grounds. President Nixon, Ronald Reagan, Edwin Meese, Ron Ziegler, King Timahoe.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-9834-15, Portrait of President Nixon wearing a sports coat and patterned shirt on the Camp David grounds. 8/18/1972, Camp David, Maryland Laurel Lodge, grounds. President Nixon.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-9834-23, Portrait of President Nixon wearing a sports coat and patterned shirt on the Camp David grounds with his dog King Timahoe. 8/18/1972, Camp David, Maryland Laurel Lodge, grounds. President Nixon, King Timahoe, dog.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-9834-33, Portrait of President Nixon wearing a sports coat and patterned shirt on the Camp David grounds with his dog King Timahoe. 8/18/1972, Camp David, Maryland Laurel Lodge, grounds. President Nixon, King Timahoe, dog.

    Roll WHPO-9835 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-9835-, President Nixon seated informally with Reagan and Haig. 8/18/1972, Camp David, Maryland Laurel Lodge. President Nixon, Reagan, Haig.

    Roll WHPO-9836 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-9836-06A-12A, Vice President Agnew speaking to the USA XX U.S. Olympic Team. 8/18/1972, Washington, D.C. Marriott Hotel, White House grounds. Spiro Agnew, officials, Olympic Team members.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-9836-14A-18A, Pat Price with unidentified men. 8/18/1972, Washington, D.C. Marriott Hotel, White House grounds. Pat Price, unidentified men.

    Roll WHPO-D0019 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-D0019-, Various sites in a building. Rogers Morton speaking at a podium and to a reporter. 8/18/1972, Miami Beach, Florida unknown. Rogers Morton, unidentified persons.

    Roll WHPO-D0020 Photographer: Moore, Robert (Supervisor/Director, WHPO Photographic Laboratory) | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-D0020-, Convention workers preparing the floor for the convention. 8/18/1972, Miami Beach, Florida Miami Convention Hall. convention hall workers.

    Roll WHPO-D0021 Photographer: Moore, Robert (Supervisor/Director, WHPO Photographic Laboratory) | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-D0021-, President Nixon supporters with banners welcoming arriving President Nixon people. 8/18/1972, Miami Beach, Florida unknown. President Nixon supporters.

    Roll WHPO-D0022 Photographer: Moore, Robert (Supervisor/Director, WHPO Photographic Laboratory) | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-D0022-, President Nixon people being greeted by President Nixon supporters at the airport and at a building. 8/18/1972, Miami, Miami Beach, Florida airport, building. President Nixon supporters.

    Roll WHPO-D0023 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-D0023-12A-36A, President Nixon people being greeted by President Nixon supporters at the airport and at a building. 8/18/1972, Miami, Miami Beach, Florida unknown, airport, building. unidentified men, Nixon supporters.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-D0023-2A-11A, Men seated informally at a meeting. 8/18/1972, Miami, Miami Beach, Florida unknown, airport, building. unidentified men, Nixon supporters.

    Roll WHPO-D0024 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-D0024-02-08, Elliot Richardson at a podium. 8/18/1972, Miami Beach, Florida Fontainebleau Hotel. Elliot Richardson, unidentified persons.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-D0024-09-10, Persons standing around a table with campaign items. 8/18/1972, Miami Beach, Florida Fontainebleau Hotel. Richardson, 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.

    G - Cabinet Officer Briefings

    • WHCA-SR-G-186
      Remarks to press by Secretary of the Interior Rogers Morton regarding the 1972 campaign, with Ann Doerr. (8/18/1972, The Doral Hotel, Miami Beach, Florida)

      Runtime: 17:00

      Keywords: Presidential campaigns, Presidential elections, 1972 Presidential campaign, 1972 Presidential election

      Production credits: Audio feed supplied by WHCA; Recorded by CRB (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-642
      Press briefing by Donald Rumsfeld and Ronald Ziegler. (8/18/1972, Press Lobby, White House)

      Runtime: 30:58:00

      Keywords: Press conferences, news conferences, interviews, media, press secretary

      Production credits: Audio feed supplied by WHCA; Recorded by EEM (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-5660
      "CBS Morning News" excerpts.
      ALL NETWORKS
      Runtime: 00:18:53
    • WHCA-5661
      "Vietnam: Beyond Fury" AND "Martin Agronsky: Evening Edition".
      ALL NETWORKS
      Runtime: 01:38:14
    • WHCA-5662
      Political Convention Part II.
      Post-Newsweek Stations, Inc.
      Runtime: 0:30
    • WHCA-5701
      Weekly News Summary, Tape I.
      ABC
      Runtime: 0:30

      1. Smith: Republican platform attacks Democratic party. Time Code Start: 01:48. Keywords: Presidential elections, campaigns, campaigning, candidates, primaries, voting, conventions, political parties, Republicans, GOP, Republican Party, Democrats, Democratic Party. Network: ABC.

      2. Smith/Matney: McGovern accesses campaign. Time Code Start: 02:44. Keywords: Presidential elections, campaigns, campaigning, candidates. Network: ABC.

      3. Reasoner/Donaldson: Richardson speaks in place of Attorney General Kleindienst bugging accusation. Time Code Start: 04:34. Keywords: Watergate, bugging, bugs, wiretapping, wire taps, surveillance, spying, recordings, accusations, Senate, committees, investigations, officials, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals. Network: ABC.

      4. Smith/Tucker: Protesters and Army troops arrive in Miami, Florida. Time Code Start: 12:32. Keywords: conventions, Presidential elections, campaigns, primaries, voting, demonstrations, rally, protesters, demonstraters, Vietnam War, anti-war. Network: ABC.

      5. Smith/Jackson: Three protesters walk into platform hearings room. Time Code Start: 14:19. Keywords: Presidential elections, campaigns, campaigning, candidates, primaries, voting, conventions, political parties, demonstrations, rally, protests, protesters, demonstraters, demonstrators. Network: ABC.

      6. Smith/Kincaid: Politics in Columbus, Ohio. Time Code Start: 18:10. Keywords: elections, campaigns, campaigning, candidates, primaries, voting. Network: ABC.

      7. Reasoner: DaNang, Vietnam. Time Code Start: 23:27. Keywords: Vietnam War. Network: ABC.

      8. Smith: Commentary on GOP (Republican) bliss. Time Code Start: 27:00. Keywords: Republicans, Republican Party. Network: ABC.
    • WHCA-5702
      Weekly News Summary, Tape II.
      NBC, CBS
      Runtime: 1:00

      1. Chancellor/Mackin/Utley: Comments on the platform for the Republican Convention, (Heckler) talks about women's rights amendments. Time Code Start: 03:02. Keywords: political parties, Republicans, GOP, Presidential elections, campaigns, campaigning, conventions, Feminism, Feminist movement, women's rights, Womens Liberation, equality, equal rights, gender, civil rights, activists, women. Network: NBC.

      2. Chancellor/McCormick: (Dominick) says that the busing bill is done for at least a year; House of Representatives (Congress) okay Summit Treaty. Time Code Start: 06:42. Keywords: bills, laws, legislation, desegregation, racism, racial discrimination, African Americans, schools, students, transportation, reports, summits, meetings, SALT, S.A.L.T., Strategic Arms Limitation Talks, Russia, Soviet Union, USSR, Cold War, détente. Network: NBC.

      3. Chancellor/Valeriani: White House is trying to pressure Ford to roll back to its 1973 car and truck prices. Time Code Start: 09:39. Keywords: wage and price controls, freezes, prices, costs, increases, decreases, economy, economics, budgets, finances, recession, inflation, money, automobiles, autos, vehicles. Network: NBC.

      4. Briggs: Part I comment on President Nixon's Nixonomics, the farmer, the auto industry, small business, (Kenneth Cole) Retail Association. Time Code Start: 12:00. Keywords: Presidents, economy, economics, budgets, finances, recession, inflation, money, wages, costs, unemployment, prices, reports. Network: NBC.

      5. Delaney: People need help from the flooding damage of Hurricane Agnes (Frank Folutichy). Time Code Start: 16:08. Keywords: Hurricanes, floods, weather, disasters, damages, New York, Pennsylvania. Network: NBC.

      6. Brinkley: Commentary on delegates on their own time. Time Code Start: 23:34. Keywords: Vote, voters, voting, Presidential elections, campaigns, campaigning, candidates, primaries, voting, conventions, delegations, delegates. Network: NBC.

      7. Cronkite/Schorr: Platform committee receives the official desires of President Nixon's administration. Time Code Start: 33:17. Keywords: Presidential elections, campaigns, campaigning, candidates, primaries, voting, conventions, political parties, Republicans, GOP, Republican Party. Network: CBS.

      8. Cronkite: (McGovern) admits that there are too many mistakes in his campaign and that President Nixon's people are picking on him. Time Code Start: 36:01. Keywords: Presidential elections, campaigns, campaigning, candidates. Network: CBS.

      9. Cronkite/Pappas: Protesters are gathering in Miami, Florida and so there are some troops too. Time Code Start: 38:40. Keywords: conventions, Presidential elections, campaigns, demonstrations, rally, protesters, demonstraters, students, Vietnam War, anti-war, military, security. Network: CBS.

      10. Collingwood: Puncinski says he may regret nuclear treaty with Russia. Time Code Start: 47:00. Keywords: nuclear bombs, atomic, explosions, tests, testings, SALT, S.A.L.T., Strategic Arms Limitation Talks, Russia, Soviet Union, USSR, Cold War, détente, treaties, treaty, negotiations. Network: CBS.

      11. Pierpoint: White House wants Ford to drop their car and truck prices with (Pumsfeld). Time Code Start: 48:10. Keywords: wage and price controls, freezes, prices, costs, increases, decreases, economy, economics, budgets, finances, recession, inflation, money, automobiles, autos, vehicles. Network: CBS.

      12. Sevareid: Commentary on how the crescendo is building for the convention. Time Code Start: 54:40. Keywords: conventions, Presidential elections, campaigns, primaries, voting. Network: CBS.

Context (External Sources)