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August 21, 1970

Introduction

This almanac page for Friday, August 21, 1970, 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 20, 1970

Next Date: Saturday, August 22, 1970

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 Quintalaura Residence, Puerto Vallarto, Mexico

  • 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.

    Meetings With Foreign Leaders

    Checklist of White House Press Releases

    The releases listed below, made public by the Office of the White House Press Secretary during the period covered by this issue, are not included in the issue.

    • Press conference of J. F. Prtedkin, U.S. Commissioner, International Boundary and Water Commission, Chris G. Petrow, Mexican Country Director, Department of State, and Arnold Nachmanoff, National Security Council Staff, at Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

  • 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 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 of many of these transcripts can be found on the Yale University Library website.

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-4194 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-4194-03-06, 09-14, 17-25, Private residence, Quintalaura, in Puerto Vallarta, exterior, including pool and beach. 8/21/1970, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico Quintalaura exterior. None.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-4194-07-08, 15-16, Private residence, Quintalaura, in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, where the President stayed during his visit. 8/21/1970, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico Private residence, Quinta Luna, interior. None.

    Roll WHPO-4212 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-4212-03A-08A, President Nixon departing from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. 8/21/1970, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico President Gustavo Diaz Ordaz Airport. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, President Gustavo Diaz Ordaz.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-4212-09A-19A, President Nixon arriving at El Toro Marine Corps Air Station. 8/21/1970, El Toro, California El Toro MCAS, California. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, military staff.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-4212-20A-36A, President Nixon arriving at San Clemente. 8/21/1970, El Toro, California El Toro MCAS, California. President Nixon, Patricia Nixon.

    Roll WHPO-4213 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-4213-03A-13A, President Nixon with Pat Nixon, Mexican President Gustavo Diaz Ordaz and unidentified woman. 8/21/1970, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Camino Real Hotel. President Nixon, Patricia Nixon, President Gustavo Diaz Ordaz.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-4213-07, President Nixon standing with Pat Nixon, Mexican President Gustavo Diaz Ordaz and unidentified woman. 8/21/1970, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Camino Real Hotel. President Nixon, Patricia Nixon, President Gustavo Diaz Ordaz, unidentified persons.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-4213-14A-16A, President Nixon lunching with Mexican President Gustavo Diaz Ordaz. 8/21/1970, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Camino Real Hotel, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. President Nixon, Patricia Nixon, President Gustavo Diaz Ordaz, guests.

    Roll WHPO-4214 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-4214-04A-12A, President Nixon departing from Mexico. 8/21/1970, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico Gustavo Diaz Ordaz Airport. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, President Gustavo Diaz Ordaz, crowd.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-4214-13A-16A, President Nixon returning to San Clemente. 8/21/1970, Orange County, CA Marine Corps Air Station, exterior. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, military staff.

    Roll WHPO-4215 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-4215-02A-05A, President Nixon departing from Mexico, crowd surrounding Presidential plane. 8/21/1970, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Gustavo Diaz Ordaz Airport. President Nixon, crowd.

    Roll WHPO-4216 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-4216-03-08, President Nixon departing from Mexico, crowd surrounding Presidential plane. 8/21/1970, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico Gustavo Diaz Ordaz Airport. President Nixon, crowd.

  • 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.

    H - White House Staff Member Recordings

    • WHCA-SR-H-251
      Press briefing by Ronald Ziegler and Mexican representatives Mr. Friedkin, Mr. Petrow, and Arnold Nachminoff. (8/21/1970, Posada Vallarta Hotel, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico)

      Runtime: 28:18:00

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

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

      Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.

    P - Formal Presidential Remarks

    • WHCA-SR-P-700822
      Exchange of toasts by President Nixon and President Diaz Ordaz. (8/21/1970, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico)

      Runtime: 3:58

      Keywords: Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

      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-3820
      "The Robert Dornan Show" with V.P. Spiro T. Agnew. John Ingersoll, Secretary of Defense Melvin R. Laird.
      NBC, ABC
      Runtime: 1:30
    • WHCA-3822
      Weekly News Summary - Tape II.
      All networks
      Runtime: 1:00

      15. Smith: Film report on President Nixon's trip to Mexico. Time Code Start: 15:47. Keywords: Presidents, travel, trips, Nixon trips, international, Mexican, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Network: ABC.

      16. Jarriel: President Nixon's trip to Mexico. Time Code Start: 16:04. Keywords: Presidents, travel, trips, Nixon trips, international, Mexican, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Network: ABC.

      17. Smith: Vice President Agnew. Time Code Start: 17:25. Keywords: Vice Presidents, reports. Network: ABC.

      18. Howard K. Smith: Commentary on Vice President Agnew. Time Code Start: 17:50. Keywords: Vice Presidents, travel, trips, Asian, Democrats, Socialism, Republicans saving free American economy. Network: ABC.

      19. Film report on campus unrest. Time Code Start: 19:41. Keywords: universities, colleges, demonstrations, rally, protesters, demonstraters, students, Vietnam War, anti-war. Network: NBC.

      20. Delaney: Campus unrest. Time Code Start: 1949. Keywords: universities, colleges, demonstrations, rally, protesters, demonstraters, students, Vietnam War, anti-war. Network: NBC.

      21. Brinkley: President Nixon in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico meeting with Mexican President Gustavo Diaz Ordaz to discuss border disputes. Time Code Start: 22:57. Keywords: Presidents, travel, trips, Nixon trips, international, Mexican, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Network: NBC.

      22. Cronkite/Kalb: Senate forbids U.S. pay foreign mercenaries in Laos and Cambodia; U.S. gives Cambodia $40 million per year, may increase it. Time Code Start: 23:27. Keywords: Vietnam War, funding, military, troops, foreign aid. Network: CBS.

      23. Cronkite: President Nixon and Mexican President Gustavo Diaz Ordaz in Mexico, announce border dispute agreement, Rio Grande center. Time Code Start: 25:28. Keywords: Presidents, travel, trips, Nixon trips, international, Mexican, agreements, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Network: CBS.

Context (External Sources)