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August 2, 1973

Introduction

This almanac page for Thursday, August 2, 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: Wednesday, August 1, 1973

Next Date: Friday, August 3, 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 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.

  • 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

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.

  • 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. X, Vietnam, January 1973-July 1975

    Congressional Restrictions, General Warfare, June 19, 1973-February 25, 1975

    Vol. XXXV, National Security Policy, 1973-1976

    National Security Policy

    • 19. Memorandum of Conversation, Washington, August 2, 1973, 8:00 a.m.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 1027, Presidential/HAK MemCons, MemCons—HAK & Presidential, April–November 1973 [3 of 5]. Secret; Nodis. In an August 1 memorandum, Odeen informed Kissinger that the breakfast meeting’s main topic was expected to be United States nuclear policy. (Ibid., Box 232, Agency Files, Defense, Vol. 20)

  • 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-E1323 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E1323-21A-23A, President Nixon seated at his Oval Office desk signing S. 59, the Veterans' Health Care Expansion Act of 1973 while legislators stand nearby. 8/2/1973, Washington, D. C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Senate Veterans Affairs Committee: Senator Alan Cranston (D-California), Sen. Vance Hartke (D-Indiana) Sen. Strom Thurmond (R-South Carolina). House Veterans' Affairs Committee: Congressman William J. B. Dorn (D-South Carolina), Cong. John P. Hammerschmidt (R-Arkansas), Cong. David E. Satterfield III (D-Virginia). Veterans' Organization representatives: William F. Hauck National Adjutant American Legion. Jack O. Hicks National Commander Disabled American Veterans. Leon Sanchez National Executive Director AMVETS. Ray Soden Senior Vice Commander Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). Donald E. Johnson Veterans Affairs Administrator. White House staff: James H. Cavanaugh, Associate Director of the Domestic Council. Max L. Friedersdorf, Deputy Assistant. Paul O'Neill, Associate Director of the OMB. Frederick Webber, Special Assistant.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E1323-23A, President Nixon seated at his Oval Office desk signing S. 59, the Veterans' Health Care Expansion Act of 1973 while legislators stand nearby. 8/2/1973, Washington, D. C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Alan Cranston, Vance Hartke, Strom Thurmond, William J. B. Dorm, John P. Hammerschmidt, David E. Satterfield, William F. Hauck, Jack Hicks, Leon Sanchez, Ray Soden, Donald Johnson, James Cavanaugh, Max Friedersdorf, Paul O'Neill, Frederick Webber.

  • 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.

    K - Informal Presidential Remarks

    • WHCA-SR-K-086
      Photo opportunity with Pres. Albert-Bernard Bongo, Gabon-Oval Office [nothing on tap. (8/2/1973)

      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-238
      Briefing of student group by Herbert Stein. (8/2/1973, EOB Conference Room (450))

      Runtime: 47:00:00

      Keywords: Briefings, private briefings

      Production credits: Audio feed supplied by GSA; Recorded by Earl Doss (initials of WHCA engineer)

      Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.
    • WHCA-SR-S-239
      Press briefing by Gerald Warren. (8/2/1973, White House Press Lobby)

      Runtime: 45:00:00

      Keywords: Press conferences, news conferences, interviews, media

      Production credits: Audio feed supplied by WHCA; Recorded by GET (initials of WHCA engineer)

      Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.
    • WHCA-SR-S-240
      Briefing of summer interns by Melvin Laird. (8/2/1973, 459 EOB)

      Runtime: 47:00:00

      Keywords: Briefings, private briefings

      Production credits: Audio feed supplied by WHCA; Recorded by RAW (initials of WHCA engineer)

      Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.
    • WHCA-SR-S-241
      Remarks by Henry A. Kissinger to the International Platform Committee Banquet in the Sheraton-Park Hotel. (8/2/1973, Sheraton Park Hotel)

      Runtime: 17:00

      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.

  • 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-6473
      Weekly News Summary, Tape III.
      ALL NETWORKS
      Runtime: 1:00

      6. Smith/Geer: Senate wants to end beef freeze. Time Code Start: 17:40. Keywords: food, animal products, meat, sales, costs, prices, supply, shortages, freezes. Network: ABC.

      7. Smith/Donaldson: Richard Helms and General Cushman testify before Senate committee. Time Code Start: 20:13. Keywords: Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals, impeachment, resignations. Network: ABC.

      8. Reasoner/Gill: Robert Peloquin rebuttal to ABC news story on Charles Bebe Rebozo probe. Time Code Start: 25:52. Keywords: Presidents, banks, executives, Internal Revenue Service, taxes, audits, investigations, Senate, organizations. Network: ABC.

      9. Reasoner: Commentary on Executive powers. Time Code Start: 28:40. Keywords: balance of powers, legislative, executive, judiciary,. Network: ABC.

      10. Chancellor/Duke: International Telephone & Telegraph (ITT Corporation) and Mitchell with Senator Ted Kennedy and Bahy. Time Code Start: 30:43. Keywords: International Telephone & Telegraph, communications, world, corporations, conglomerates, campaign funding, investigations, hearings. Network: NBC.

      11. Chancellor: Watergate with Helms and Cushman. Time Code Start: 33:58. Keywords: Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals, impeachment, resignations. Network: NBC.

      12. Chancellor/Mackin: Security improvements on President Nixon's homes. Time Code Start: 37:44. Keywords: Presidents, civil defense, counterintelligence services, secret police, anti-terrorism, maintenance, construction, residences, buildings. Network: NBC.

      13. Chancellor/Bell: Wholesale prices, beef. Time Code Start: 43:38. Keywords: food, animal products, meat, sales, costs, prices, supply, shortages, freezes. Network: NBC.

      14. Mudd/Schorr: Watergate with Helms and Cushman. Time Code Start: 46:24. Keywords: Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals, impeachment, resignations. Network: CBS.

      15. Mudd/Chung: Watergate with McCord. Time Code Start: 51:01. Keywords: Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals. Network: CBS.

      16. Mudd/Shaw: Wholesale beef prices. Time Code Start: 54:03. Keywords: food, animal products, meat, sales, costs, prices, supply, shortages, freezes. Network: CBS.

      17. Mudd/Jones: Money spent for improvements to President Nixon's homes. Time Code Start: 56:48. Keywords: Presidents,. Network: CBS.
    • WHCA-W-248
      Proceedings of the Senate Watergate Committee Hearings. Testimony of Richard Helms; and testimony of Gen. Robert Cushman
      ALL NETWORKS
      Runtime: 01:32:12
    • WHCA-W-249
      Proceedings of the Senate Watergate Committee Hearings. Testimony of Richard Helms; and testimony of Gen. Robert Cushman William F. Buckley, Lowell Weicker.
      CBS
      Runtime: 01:32:01
    • WHCA-W-250
      Proceedings of the Senate Watergate Committee Hearings. Testimony of Richard Helms; and testimony of Gen. Robert Cushman Senator William Proxmire.
      CBS
      Runtime: 01:09:07
    • WHCA-W-251
      Proceedings of the Senate Watergate Committee Hearings. Testimony of Richard Helms; and testimony of Gen. Robert Cushman
      WCET, Los Angeles
      Runtime: 01:36:44

Context (External Sources)