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August 8, 1970

Introduction

This almanac page for Saturday, August 8, 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: Friday, August 7, 1970

Next Date: Sunday, August 9, 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 Camp David, Maryland

  • 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.

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.

    • Annotated News Summaries, Box 29, News Summaries - August 1970 [During this period, the Staff Secretary only removed pages from the News Summaries which contained President Nixon's handwriting, often leaving the document with no date. Although there are no specific documents with this date, you should also consult the full folder for the month.]

  • 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)
      Saturday, August 8.

      At Camp David. Phoned in morning, lot of little things: can't help Lenore, she's not with us; Laird should wait until after election to move nerve gas; disappointed in Morton's political analysis; South terribly important - that's where all our gains have been since '60, etc.

      At 4:00 had me over to Aspen for two and a half hour chat. Lot of PR, need to move hard on Middle East; build theme of President as effective listener; sell Cambodia on basis of situation domestically if we hadn't done it; idea of President does no business over cocktails; Finch get out line about how President operates with Southern school committees.

      Decided to go ahead on Southern trip, to New Orleans. Wants Rumsfeld to reorganize the government, throw all the bad guys out. Back to "build our own establishment." Wants me to get Rogers to be more tough politically.

      Decided to do American Legion then I told him he couldn't because of threats of demonstrations. Changed his mind regarding Mexico and decided to give luncheon the next day instead of dinner the first night. Wants to do a Chicago press conference right after Labor Day.

      Called me at bowling alley really upset regarding no action about killing of Northern California judge. I charged Ehrlichman and Mitchell.
    • Handwritten diary entry (JPG)

  • 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. VII, Vietnam, July 1970-January 1972

    The Aftermath of the Cambodian Incursion, July 21-October 7, 1970

    Vol. XXIII, Arab-Israeli Dispute, 1969-1972

    The Cease-Fire Agreement

    • 146. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassies in Turkey, Greece, and Italy, Washington, August 8, 1970, 0100Z

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 1155, Saunders Files, Middle East Negotiations Files, June Initiative Vol. II, July 24–August 8, 1970. Secret; Immediate; Nodis. Drafted on August 7 by Atherton, cleared in draft in EUR, and approved by Johnson. Repeated to Cairo, Tel Aviv, Moscow, and London.

    Vol. XL, Germany and Berlin, 1969-1972

    Germany and Berlin, 1969-1972

    • 104. Letter From German Chancellor Brandt to President Nixon, Bonn, August 8, 1970

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 753, Presidential Correspondence File, Germany, Chancellor Willy Brandt, May–Dec 1970. Confidential. The German Embassy delivered the letter to the White House on August 9. The source text is the Department’s Language Services’ translation, which Eliot forwarded to Kissinger on August 11. The original text in German is ibid.; see Akten zur Auswärtigen Politik der Bundesrepublik Deutschland, 1970, Vol. 2, pp. 1428–1429.

    Vol. E-1, Documents on Global Issues, 1969-1972

    Oceans Policy

    • 380. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to Harry Dent of the National Security Council Staff, Washington, August 8, 1970

      Kissinger emphasized the President’s resolve to implement his seabeds decision, briefly explained the rationale behind that decision, and offered opportunities for input to domestic constituencies displeased with the policy.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 382, Subject Files, Seabeds, Volume II, March 1970-December 1970, (1 of 2). Confidential. Tab A is published as Document 376. For Tab B, Richardson’s statement before the Special Subcommittee on Outer Continental Shelf of the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs, U.S. Senate, May 27, 1970, see Department of State Bulletin, June 15, 1970, pp. 737-739. George Herbert Walker Bush (R-Texas) was a member of the House of Representatives from 1967-1971.

    Vol. E-4, Documents on Iran and Iraq, 1969-1972

    Iraq 1969-1971

    • 272. Telegram 128256 From the Department of State to the Embassy in France, Washington, August 8, 1970, 0012Z

      The Department speculated about the purpose behind the current Iraqi trip to Moscow.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 7 IRAQ. Confidential. Repeated to Moscow. Drafted by Thomas J. Scotes (NEA/ARN); cleared by Martha Mautner (INR/RSE/FP), Beigel; and approved by Seelye.

  • 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-4109 Photographer: Schumaker, Byron | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-4109-01-06, 26-35, Herb Klein, Director of Communications. 8/8/1970, Washington, D.C. White House. Herbert G. Klein.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-4109-07-25, Herb Klein, Director of Communications in front of sculptures. 8/8/1970, Washington, D.C. White House. Herbert G. Klein.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-4109-10, Herb Klein, Director of Communications in behind a sculpture. 8/8/1970, Washington, D.C. White House. Herbert G. Klein.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-4109-25, Herb Klein, Director of Communications in behind a sculpture. A map of the world is seen behind him. 8/8/1970, Washington, D.C. White House. Herbert G. Klein.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-4109-35, Herb Klein, Director of Communications, in front of a map of North America. 8/8/1970, Washington, D.C. White House. Herbert G. Klein.

    Roll WHPO-4110 Photographer: Schumaker, Byron | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-4110-01-35, Portrait study of Herbert G. Klein's family. 8/8/1970, Washington, D.C. White House. Mrs. Herbert Klein and Herb Klein's family.

  • 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-3815
      Weekly News Summary - Tape I.
      All networks
      Runtime: 1:00

      1. Schorr: President Nixon's committee on desegregation, volunteer task force heads to South to enforce desegregation in schools. Time Code Start: 00:00. Keywords: desegregation, racism, racial profiling, racial discrimination, civil rights, African Americans, schools, students, volunteerism, volunteer programs. Network: CBS.

      2. Mudd: Senator Mike Mansfield says Democrats have no political campaigner to match Vice President Agnew. Time Code Start: 01:24. Keywords: Vice Presidents, Senators, elections, campaigns. Network: CBS.

Context (External Sources)