August 31, 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 Kuilima Hotel, Oahu, Hawaii

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.

• Special Message to the Congress Recommending Delay in Pay Increases for Federal Employees

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 Thursday, August 31, 1972

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)
• 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 August 31, 1972
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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 31 August 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. III, Foreign Economic Policy; International Monetary Policy, 1969-1972

Foreign Economic Policy

• 99. Memorandum of Conversation, Oahu, Hawaii, August 31, 1972, 1 p.m.

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, VIP Visits, Box 926, Tanaka Visit 31 Aug-1 Sept. Secret; Sensitive. The meeting was held in the Presidential Suite of the Kuilima Hotel. According to the President’s Daily Diary, the meeting ended at 3:15 p.m. and was followed by a meeting of the principals with their official delegations. Kenzo Yoshida, Director General of the Asian Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, participated on the Japanese side in Ambassador Ushiba’s place. (Ibid., White House Central Files)

Vol. VIII, Vietnam, January-October 1972

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

• 254. Memorandum of Conversation, Oahu, Hawaii, August 31, 1972, 7:55-8:45 a.m.

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 864, For the President’s Files (Winston Lord)—China Trip/Vietnam, Sensitive Camp David Memcons, May–October 1972 [3 of 5]. Top Secret; Sensitive; Exclusively Eyes Only. The breakfast meeting took place in Kissinger’s room at the Kuilima Hotel. Nixon and Kissinger were in Hawaii to meet Japan’s new leader, Kabuei Tanaka. Ambassador Bunker had been brought in from South Vietnam so that Nixon and Kissinger and the Ambassador could discuss President Thieu and the September 15 meeting in Paris.

• 255. Memorandum for the President’s File by the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), Oahu, Hawaii, August 31, 1972, 9:30 a.m.

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 855, For the President’s Files (Winston Lord)—China Trip/Vietnam, Sensitive Camp David, Vol. XVII. Top Secret; Sensitive; Exclusively Eyes Only. The meeting took place at the President’s Suite at the Kuilima Hotel. All brackets are in the original.

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

November 1971-December 1972: Toward a New Equilibrium

• 131. Memorandum of Conversation, Oahu, Hawaii, August 31, 1972, 1 p.m.

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 926, VIP Visits, Tanaka Visit (Hawaii) 31 Aug–1 September [1972] [1 of 4]. Secret; Sensitive. Presumably drafted by Wickel. The meeting took place in the Presidential Suite at the Kuilima Hotel. A memorandum of conversation from a meeting that was held concurrently between Ohira and Rogers is ibid., RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 7 JAPAN. In a July 31 memorandum to Kissinger, Holdridge wrote that Tanaka wanted Ohira, with him during all discussions of international political issues. U. Alexis Johnson informed the Japanese Embassy that Nixon would like to meet privately with Tanaka so that the two leaders could get to know one another better. (Memorandum from Holdridge to Kissinger, July 31; ibid., Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 926, VIP Visits, Tanaka Visit, Honolulu, 4 of 4) The next day, Holdridge wrote to Kissinger, “On Ohira’s attending sessions with the President along with Tanaka, Tanaka and Ohira both feel quite strongly about being together, although they are appreciative of the President’s sensitivity. The Japanese point out that Ohira as the leader of a strong LDP faction is almost Tanaka’s equal in political power, and Tanaka and Ohira hope that a compromise can be reached for Ohira to be present in the sensitive discussions, with perhaps a private meeting between the President and Tanaka taking place prior to the President’s informal dinner on August 31. (Memorandum from Holdridge to Kissinger, August 1; ibid.)

• 132. Memorandum of Conversation, Oahu, Hawaii, August 31, 1972

  Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL JAPAN-US. Secret; Exdis. Drafted by Ericson, concurred in by Green, and approved in S and J on September 25. The memorandum is labeled Part III of V. The meeting took place in the Kuilima Hotel. According to the President’s Daily Diary, Nixon, Tanaka, Kissinger, and a few other participants had concluded their meeting at the Kuilima’s Presidential Suite at 3:15 p.m. (see Document 131) and then proceeded to the Alii Suite, where they met with the members of the U.S. and Japanese official delegations from 3:15–3:58 p.m. (National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, White House Central Files)

Vol. XXXVI, Energy Crisis, 1969-1974

March 16, 1972-March 6, 1973

• 139. Intelligence Note Prepared in the Bureau of Intelligence and Research, Washington, August 31, 1972

  Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, PET 2. Confidential. Drafted by Cecchini; approved by Arthur P. Allen, Acting Director, Office of Economic Research and Analysis, INR; and released by Weiss.

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-D0258 Photographer: unknown | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-D0258-, Photo of the logo of the 1972 Republican Convention. 8/31/1972, unknown unknown.

Roll WHPO-D0259 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-D0259-, Ken Clawson standing individually with interns. 8/31/1972, Washington, D.C. unknown. Ken Clawson, interns.

Roll WHPO-D0268 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-D0268-, Secretary of State William Rogers, Ron Ziegler and other staff dress casually during a meeting around a large table. 8/31/1972, Oahu, Hawaii Alii Suite, Kuilima Hotel. William Rogers, Ron Ziegler, unidentified men.

Roll WHPO-D0269 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-D0269-21-30, President Nixon seated informally during a meeting with Secretary of State William Rogers, National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger, and U. S. Ambassador to South Vietnam Ellsworth Bunker. 8/31/1972, Oahu, Hawaii Presidential Suite room, Kuilima Hotel. President Nixon, William Rogers, Henry Kissinger, Ellsworth Bunker.
• Frame(s): WHPO-D0269-24, President Nixon seated informally during a meeting with Secretary of State William Rogers, National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger, and U. S. Ambassador to South Vietnam Ellsworth Bunker. 8/31/1972, Oahu, Hawaii Presidential Suite room, Kuilima Hotel. President Nixon, William Rogers, Henry Kissinger, Ellsworth Bunker.

Roll WHPO-D0270 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-D0270-02A-06A, President Nixon seated with Japanese Prime Minister Tanaka in Oahu, Hawaii. 8/31/1972, Oahu, Hawaii Kuilima Hotel, room, Presidential Suite. President Nixon, Kakuei Tanaka.
• Frame(s): WHPO-D0270-04A, President Nixon seated informally with Japanese Prime Minister Tanaka during a meeting in Oahu, Hawaii. 8/31/1972, Oahu, Hawaii Kuilima Hotel, room, Presidential Suite. President Nixon, Kakuei Tanaka.
• Frame(s): WHPO-D0270-08A-10A, President Nixon standing with Mr. & Mrs. Koon Wah Lee and their granddaughter. 8/31/1972, Oahu, Hawaii Kuilima Hotel, room, Presidential Suite. President Nixon, Mr. & Mrs. Koon Wah Lee, Meimei Lee.
• Frame(s): WHPO-D0270-11A-14A, President Nixon standing with Ambassador Ellsworth Bunker & Mrs. Bunker. 8/31/1972, Oahu, Hawaii Kuilima Hotel, room, Presidential Suite. President Nixon, Ellsworth Bunker, Mrs. Bunker.

Roll WHPO-D0271 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-D0271-11A-20A, President Nixon and Prime Minister Tanaka seated informally during a meeting on Oahu, Hawaii. 8/31/1972, Oahu, Hawaii lobby area, room, Presidential Suite, Kuilima Hotel. President Nixon, Kakuei Tanaka, William Rogers, officials.
• Frame(s): WHPO-D0271-11A-20A, President Nixon and Prime Minister Kakuei Tanaka standing with William Rogers and others during a visit to Oahu, Hawaii. 8/31/1972, Oahu, Hawaii lobby area, room, Presidential Suite, Kuilima Hotel. President Nixon, Prime Minister Kakuei Tanaka, Secretary of State William Rogers, Masayoshi Ohira, officials.
• Frame(s): WHPO-D0271-18A, President Nixon, Prime Minister Kakuei Tanaka, Secretary of State William Rogers, and Magayoshi Ohira (Foreign Minister of Japan) pose for a group portrait. 8/31/1972, Oahu, Hawaii lobby area, room, Presidential Suite, Kuilima Hotel. President Nixon, Prime Minister Kakuei Tanaka, Secretary of State William Rogers, Masayoshi Ohira.
• Frame(s): WHPO-D0271-23A, President Nixon and Prime Minister Kakuei Tanaka seated informally during a meeting on Oahu, Hawaii. 8/31/1972, Oahu, Hawaii lobby area, room, Presidential Suite, Kuilima Hotel. President Nixon, Prime Minister Kakuei Tanaka.

Roll WHPO-D0273 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-D0273-04-26, Pat Nixon in Hilo, Hawaii, visiting an Easter Seal Treatment Center. 8/31/1972, Hilo, Hawaii Easter Seal Treatment Center, Senior Citizen Recreational Center. Pat Nixon, unidentified adults and children.
• Frame(s): WHPO-D0273-18A, Pat Nixon, wearing several leis, reaching down to greet a small boy riding a bicycle during her visit to the Easter Seal Treatment Center. Adults and other small children are seen behind them. 8/31/1972, Hilo, Hawaii Easter Seal Treatment Center, Senior Citizen Recreational Center. Pat Nixon, unidentified adults and children.
• Frame(s): WHPO-D0273-27-37, Pat Nixon at various sites in Hilo, Hawaii, visiting a Senior Citizen Recreational Center. 8/31/1972, Hilo, Hawaii Senior Citizen Recreational Center. Pat Nixon, unidentified adults and children.

Roll WHPO-D0274 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-D0274-, Pat Nixon at various sites in Hilo, including a school (3A-21A), a Japanese garden (22A-30A), and a luau (31A-36A). 8/31/1972, Hilo, Hawaii Keaukaha Elementary School, Liliuokalani Garden, Wailoa River State Park. Pat Nixon, unidentified adults and children.
• Frame(s): WHPO-D0274-15A, Pat Nixon stands, holding a spear, in front of a crowd of children adults during her visit to Hilo, Hawaii. 8/31/1972, Hilo, Hawaii unknown outdoor location. Pat Nixon, unidentified adults and children.
• Frame(s): WHPO-D0274-23A, Pat Nixon stands on a stone brige in the Liliuokalani Garden with a group of women from the Japanese delegation. 8/31/1972, Hilo, Hawaii Liliuokalani Garden. Pat Nixon, unidentified women (part of the Japanese delegation).
• Frame(s): WHPO-D0274-30A, Pat Nixon planting a tree in her honor, as gardeners help her. A sign next to the new tree reads "Mrs. Pat Nixon, August 31, 1972." Children and other adults stand behind her and look on. 8/31/1972, Hilo, Hawaii unknown outdoor location. Pat Nixon, unidentified adults and children.

Roll WHPO-D0275 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-D0275-, Pat Nixon at a luau in her honor. 8/31/1972, Hilo, Hawaii Wailoa River State Park. Pat Nixon, unidentified adults and children.
• Frame(s): WHPO-D0275-27A, Pat Nixon embracing a young girl wearing leis and a grass skirt (likely taking place during a ceremony). An entertainer playing a ukelele stands behind them. 8/31/1972, Hilo, Hawaii Wailoa River State Park, stage. Pat Nixon, unidentified children, entertainer.
• Frame(s): WHPO-D0275-29A, Pat Nixon embracing a young girl wearing leis and a grass skirt (likely taking place during a ceremony). An entertainer playing guitar and a crowd of women stands behind them. 8/31/1972, Hilo, Hawaii Wailoa River State Park, stage. Pat Nixon, unidentified adults and children.

Roll WHPO-D0276 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-D0276-, Pat Nixon enjoys an outdoor program at Keaukaha Elementary School, in Hilo, Hawaii. 8/31/1972, Hilo, Hawaii Keaukaha Elementary School. Pat Nixon, unidentified school officials, and young children.

Roll WHPO-D0277 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-D0277-, Pat Nixon waves to a crowd upon arrival in Hilo. 8/31/1972, Hilo, Hawaii tarmac, General Lyman Field Airport. Pat Nixon, officials, crowd.
• Frame(s): WHPO-D0277-11A, Pat Nixon holding a large key during her arrival ceremony in Hilo, Hawaii. Members of the crowd hold up a large banner that reads "Aloha Pat.". 8/31/1972, Hilo, Hawaii tarmac, General Lyman Field Airport. Pat Nixon, officials, crowd.

Roll WHPO-D0278 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-D0278-03-06, Pat Nixon shaking hands with unidentified officials. 8/31/1972, Hilo, Hawaii General Lyman Field Airport, tarmac. Pat Nixon, officials, unidentified persons.
• Frame(s): WHPO-D0278-07-09, Unidentified staff members on board the plane. 8/31/1972, Hilo, Hawaii "Spirit of '76," cabin. Pat Nixon, officials, unidentified persons.

Roll WHPO-D0279 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-D0279-, Pat Nixon arriving at the airport (3-10), at a senior citizen center (11-20), and outdoors at an elementary school (21-31). 8/31/1972, Hilo, Hawaii tarmac, General Lyman Field Airport; Senior Citizen Recreational Center; Keaukaha Elementary School. Pat Nixon, unidentified adults and children.
• Frame(s): WHPO-D0279-21A, Pat Nixon, wearing leis, sits among a group of young children and adults during a ceremony (likely taking place at the Keaukaha Elementary School). 8/31/1972, Hilo, Hawaii Keaukaha Elementary School, outdoor area. Pat Nixon, unidentified adults and children.
• Frame(s): WHPO-D0279-29A, Pat Nixon, wearing leis, sits among a group of young children and adults during a ceremony (likely taking place at the Keaukaha Elementary School). A woman in an orange dress is seen in the foreground. 8/31/1972, Hilo, Hawaii Keaukaha Elementary School, outdoor area. Pat Nixon, unidentified adults and children.

Roll WHPO-D0280 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-D0280-, Pat Nixon wearing a lei at Queen Liliuokalani Gardens in Hilo. 8/31/1972, Hilo, Hawaii various sites, Queen Liliuokalani Gardens. Pat Nixon, unidentified persons.
• Frame(s): WHPO-D0280-10, Pat Nixon standing on a bridge in the Liliuokalani Gardens with women from the Japanese delegation. 8/31/1972, Hilo, Hawaii Liliuokalani Gardens. Pat Nixon, women from the Japanese delegation, unidentified aides/officials.
• Frame(s): WHPO-D0280-33, Pat Nixon, wearing a lei, is aided while planting a tree at the Queen Liliuokalani Gardens in Hilo, Hawaii. 8/31/1972, Hilo, Hawaii various sites, Queen Liliuokalani Gardens. Pat Nixon, unidentified men.

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-136
  Remarks by Pat Nixon on arrival at General Lyman Field, Hilo, Hawaii. (8/31/1972, Hilo, Hawaii)
  
  Runtime: 3:31
  
  Production credits: Audio feed supplied by WHCA; No WHCA engineer initials listed
  
  Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.

L - White House Press Office Briefings

• WHCA-SR-L-012
  Press briefing by Ronald Ziegler in Honolulu. (8/31/1972, Honolulu, Hawaii)
  
  Keywords: Press conferences, news conferences, interviews, media, press secretary
  
  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-5730
  Weekly News Summary, Tape III.
  ALL NETWORKS
  Runtime: 00:59:54
  
  1. Reasoner/Jarriel: President Nixon in Hawaii to meet Japanese Prime Minister Tanaka. Time Code Start: 00:00. Keywords: Presidents, travel trips, Nixon trips, domestic, Prime Ministers, Japanese, leaders, officials, summits, meetings, Hawaii. Network: ABC.

• New York Times of August 31, 1972

• AP Images photos from August 31, 1972
• Getty Images photos from August 31, 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.

• August 1972 Broadcast Index

Wikipedia is a free encyclopedia that anyone can edit.

• August 31, 1972