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August 2, 1974

Introduction

This almanac page for Friday, August 2, 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: Thursday, August 1, 1974

Next Date: Saturday, August 3, 1974

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.

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

    Sudan

    • 225. Telegram 169610 From the Department of State to the Embassy in Sudan, Washington, August 2, 1974, 2210Z

      The Department informed the Embassy of its decision to downgrade relations with Sudan and detailed the effect of that decision in specific programs.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Policy Files, 1974. Confidential. Drafted by Theodore Ford (AF/E), and approved by Robert S. Barrett (AF/E). The source text is a repeat of the telegram to the U.S. Mission at Geneva. Also repeated to all Near Eastern and South Asian Diplomatic Posts, to Brussels, and Addis Ababa.

    Vol. E-8, Documents on South Asia, 1973-1976

    India-Pakistan 2

    • 171. Memorandum of Conversation, Washington, August 2, 1974, 11 a.m.

      Secretary of State Kissinger met in his office to review Indian-U.S. relations with a delegation that included Indian Foreign Secretary Kewal Singh and Ambassador T.N. Kaul.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files, P820097–0933. It was drafted by Morley and cleared by NEA. The meeting took place in the Secretary’s office. Kissinger sent a lengthy summary of this conversation to Ambassador Moynihan in Telegram 170818 to New Delhi, August 6. (Ibid.)

    Vol. E-9, Part 2, Documents on the Middle East Region, 1973-1976

    Middle East Region

    • 22. Memorandum of Conversation, Washington, August 2, 1974, 8 a.m.

      Summary: Kissinger, Schlesinger, and Scowcroft discussed Gulf contingency planning, the possible effects of a second oil embargo, and military supply to Middle East countries.

      Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Memoranda of Conversations, Box 4, Nixon Administration. Top Secret. The meeting took place at the Pentagon. Kissinger met with Allon at Camp David July 31–August 1. The records of their conversations are in Foreign Relations, 1969–1976, vol. XXVI, Arab-Israeli Dispute, 1974–1976, Documents 93 and 94.

    Saudi Arabia

    • 115. Letter From President Nixon to King Faisal of Saudi Arabia, Washington, August 2, 1974

      Summary: President Nixon provided King Faisal with an update on negotiations among Israel and the Arab states.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 761, Presidential Correspondence, 1969–74, Saudi Arabia, Faisal 1972. No classification marking. Kissinger forwarded this letter to Nixon under a July 30 covering memorandum, with the recommendation that he sign it. According to Kissinger’s memorandum, this letter was to be sent in response to the Embassy in Jidda’s report that Faisal was dissatisfied with the pace of negotiations, given recent Israeli military strikes in Lebanon, and had received renewed calls for an oil embargo. (Ibid.) Faisal’s June 30 letter to Nixon is ibid., RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P850086–2236.

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

    American Republics Regional

    • 20. Telegram 169437 From the Department of State to All American Republic Diplomatic Posts, Washington, August 2, 1974, 2323Z

      Summary: The Department informed posts of its view that an OAS resolution eliminating CIAP did not necessarily imply that the Alliance for Progress had been terminated, adding that the United States continued “to cooperate with the Latins to promote the general objectives and principles of the Alliance.”

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D740212–0166. Limited Official Use. Drafted by Noonan; cleared by Schlaudeman, Donor Lion in ARA–LA, and in draft by Paul Montavon in ARA/USOAS; and approved by John Ford. Repeated to USCINCSO. In airgram A–6287 to all American Republic posts, August 8, the Department further explained the U.S. position regarding the OAS vote on the Alliance for Progress. (Ibid., P740084–1381) Telegram 1670 from Quito is dated March 14. (Ibid., [no film number])

  • 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-E3344 Photographer: Fitz-Patrick | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E3344-, unidentified White House Intern. 8/2/1974, Washington, D.C. Unknown.

    Roll WHPO-E3346 Photographer: Fitz-Patrick | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E3346-, Unidentified White House Interns group. 8/2/1974, Washington, D.C. unidentified White House interns.

  • 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.

    S - White House Press Office Briefings (continuation of the L-series)

    • WHCA-SR-S-703
      Press briefing by Gerald Warren. (8/2/1974, White House Press Lobby)

      Runtime: 35:00:00

      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.

  • 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-7108
      "Panorama". John D. Ehrlichman, former chief domestic advisor to the President.
      ABC
      Runtime: 00:49:22
    • WHCA-7109
      "Martin Agronsky: Evening Edition". John D. Ehrlichman, former chief domestic advisor to the President.
      ABC
      Runtime: 00:25:36
    • WHCA-7113
      Weekly News Summary, Tape II.
      ALL NETWORKS
      Runtime: 1:30

      34. Reasoner/Schoumacher: John Dean sentenced. Time Code Start: 56:05. Keywords: advisors, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals, sentencing. Network: ABC.

      35. Reasoner: More tapes turned over today. Time Code Start: 58:25. Keywords: bugging, bugs, wiretapping, wire taps, surveillance, spying, recordings, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, scandals. Network: ABC.

      36. Reasoner: Petition for censure in House. Time Code Start: 58:57. Keywords: Congress, censorship, documents. Network: ABC.

      37. Reasoner/Bell: White House statement on possibility of impeachment. Time Code Start: 59:17. Keywords: Presidents, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, impeachment, press announcements. Network: ABC.

      38. Reasoner: United Press International (UPI) survey of House. Time Code Start: 60:48. Keywords: House of Representatives, Congress, public opinions, polls, approval ratings, Gallup poll, Harris poll. Network: ABC.

      39. Reasoner/Donaldson: Interview with Congressman Rhodes. Time Code Start: 61:06. Keywords: media, interviews, House of Representatives, Congress,. Network: ABC.

      40. Reasoner/Matney: President Nixon's policy on inflation with William Simon. Time Code Start: 63:09. Keywords: Presidents, cabinet, advisors, economy, economics, budgets, finances, recession, inflation, money, wages, costs, unemployment, prices. Network: ABC.

      41. Reasoner/Dobbs/Peterson: People's feelings on Representatives Railsback and Mezvinsky. Time Code Start: 65:21. Keywords: Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals, impeachment, resignations. Network: ABC.

      42. Chancellor/Stern: John Dean sentenced today. Time Code Start: 71:06. Keywords: advisors, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals, sentencing. Network: NBC.

      43. Chancellor: Tapes turned over to Judge Sirica (Watergate). Time Code Start: 73:52. Keywords: law officials, attorneys, lawyers, bugging, bugs, wiretapping, wire taps, surveillance, spying, recordings, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, scandals. Network: NBC.

      44. Chancellor: House proposal on impeachment. Time Code Start: 74:55. Keywords: Presidents, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, impeachment, House of Representatives, Congress. Network: NBC.

      45. Chancellor/Brokaw: White House prepares for impeachment hearings. Time Code Start: 75:23. Keywords: Presidents, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals, impeachment. Network: NBC.

      46. Chancellor/Levine: President Nixon asks for task force to fight inflation with William Simon. Time Code Start: 76:51. Keywords: cabinet, advisors, economy, economics, budgets, finances, recession, inflation, money, wages, costs, unemployment, prices. Network: NBC.

      47. Chancellor/Delaney: Hussein-Meir (Israel's Prime Minister Golda Meir) secret meeting in May 1974. Time Code Start: 79:23. Keywords: Middle East, Mideast, Prime Ministers, leaders, officials, resignations, meetings. Network: NBC.

      48. Mudd/Graham: John Dean sentenced today. Time Code Start: 84:27. Keywords: advisors, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals, sentencing. Network: CBS.

      49. Mudd/Stahl: More White House tapes turned over. Time Code Start: 86:42. Keywords: bugging, bugs, wiretapping, wire taps, surveillance, spying, recordings, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, scandals. Network: CBS.

      50. Mudd: House prepares for impeachment. Time Code Start: 88:12. Keywords: Presidents, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, impeachment, House of Representatives, Congress. Network: CBS.

      51. Mudd/Rather: White House prepares for impeachment hearings. Time Code Start: 88:33. Keywords: Presidents, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals, impeachment. Network: CBS.

      52. Mudd: President Nixon asks for task force to fight inflation. Time Code Start: 89:52. Keywords: officials, organizations, economy, economics, budgets, finances, recession, inflation, money, wages, costs, unemployment, prices. Network: CBS.

      53. Mudd/Benton: William Simon reports on unemployment and inflation. Time Code Start: 90:14. Keywords: cabinet, advisors, economy, economics, budgets, finances, recession, inflation, money, wages, costs, unemployment, prices. Network: CBS.

      54. Mudd: Cyprus fighting continues, Turks take over 4 Greek Cypriot villages. Time Code Start: 91:43. Keywords: Eastern Mediterranean, Islands, Middle East, Mideast, Turkey, government, invasions, takeovers. Network: CBS.

Context (External Sources)