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August 9, 1973

Introduction

This almanac page for Thursday, August 9, 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 8, 1973

Next Date: Friday, August 10, 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 Camp David, Maryland

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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. XVIII, China, 1973-1976

    Political Turmoil in the United States, June 1973-September 1974

    • 48. National Security Decision Memorandum 230, Washington, August 9, 1973

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 364, Subject Files, National Security Decision Memoranda Nos. 145–264. Top Secret. Copies were sent to the Director of ACDA, the Director of Central Intelligence, the Chairman of the JCS, and the Director of OMB.

    Vol. XXXIII, SALT II, 1972-1980

    SALT II, 1972-1980

    • 33. Memorandum of Conversation, Washington, August 9, 1973

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Kissinger Office Files, Box 68, Dobrynin/Kissinger, Vol. 19, July 13–October 11, 1973. Top Secret; Sensitive; Exclusively Eyes Only. All brackets, except for those inserted by the editor to indicate omitted passages, are in the original. The meeting took place at the Soviet Embassy.

    Vol. XXXV, National Security Policy, 1973-1976

    National Security Policy

    • 20. Memorandum of Conversation, Washington, August 9, 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. The breakfast meeting was held at the Pentagon. In a memorandum, August 8, Odeen informed Kissinger that the meeting’s main topic of discussion would be United States nuclear policy, the subject of NSSM 169. (Ibid., NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–195, Study Memorandums, NSSM 169 [1 of 3]) All brackets in original memorandum.

    • 21. National Security Decision Memorandum 230, Washington, August 9, 1973

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–242, Policy Papers, NSDM 230. Top Secret. Copies were sent to Ikle, Walters, Moorer, and Ash. Kissinger, following the July 26 DPRC meeting (Document 18), forwarded the NSDM to Nixon under a covering memorandum, August 1, with the recommendation that he approve its issuance. (Ibid.)

    • 22. Minutes of Verification Panel Meeting, Washington, August 9, 1973, 3:40-4:31 p.m.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–108, Minutes of Meetings, Verification Panel Minutes, Originals 3–15–72 to 6–4–74 [3 of 5]. Top Secret; Sensitive. The meeting took place in the White House Situation Room.

    Vol. E-3, Documents on Global Issues, 1973-1976

    Human Rights

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

    Burundi

    Vol. E-12, Documents on East and Southeast Asia, 1973-1976

    East Asia and Pacific Regional, SEATO, ASEAN

    • 4. National Security Decision Memorandum 230, Washington, August 9, 1973., Washington, August 9, 1973

      On behalf of the President, Kissinger issued NSDM 230 providing guidance on future U.S. military planning for Asia.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–242, NSDMs, NSDM 230, Folder 2. Top Secret. Copies were sent to the Director of the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency, the Director of Central Intelligence, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget.

    Vol. E-15, Part 2, Documents on Western Europe, 1973-1976, Second, Revised Edition

    Western Europe Regional, 1973-1976

    • 31. Transcript of Telephone Conversation Between President Nixon and the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), August 9, 1973, 3:12 p.m.

      Summary: Nixon and Kissinger discussed the U.S.–UK special relationship and the EC response to the Year of Europe.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, Kissinger Telephone Conversations, Box 21. No classification marking. The conversation ended at 3:26 p.m. Nixon was at Camp David; Kissinger was in Washington. (Ibid., White House Central Files, President’s Daily Diary) During an August 9 talk on U.S.-French nuclear issues, Kissinger told Schlesinger: “The British are behaving shitty. If they know we have another option, they might buck up. The Brits helped draft the nuclear agreement and now won’t help defend it.” (Memorandum of conversation, August 9; Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Memoranda of Conversation, Box 2) Kissinger engaged in detailed discussions with UK officials during the negotiation of the U.S.–USSR Agreement on the Prevention of Nuclear War. (Memorandum of conversation, March 5; National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Kissinger Office Files, Box 62, Country Files, Europe, General, UK Memcons (Originals), January–April 1973 (2 of 2); and Memorandum of conversation, April 19, ibid., January–April 1973 (1 of 2))3

  • 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-E1344 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E1344-07, Tricia Nixon Cox greeting children from Summer in the Parks program. 8/9/1973, unknown unknown. Tricia Nixon Cox, children.

    Roll WHPO-E1346 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E1346-, Rose Mary Woods and Marge Acker, seated in front of typewriters, help work on a Watergate speech at Camp David. 8/9/1973, Camp David, Maryland. Rose Mary Woods, Marge Acker.

  • 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-251
      Press briefing by John Love. (8/9/1973, White House Press Lobby)

      Runtime: 34:40:00

      Keywords: Press conferences, news conferences, interviews, media

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

      Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.
    • WHCA-SR-S-252
      Press briefing by Gerald Warren. (8/9/1973, White House Press Lobby)

      Runtime: 29:53:00

      Keywords: Press conferences, news conferences, interviews, media

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

      Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.
    • WHCA-SR-S-253
      Briefing of summer interns by Bryce Harlow. (8/9/1973, EOB Conference Room (450))

      Runtime: 1:31:00

      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.

  • 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-6481
      "Watergate: The Impact".
      ALL NETWORKS
      Runtime: 00:59:36
    • WHCA-6485
      Weekly News Summary, Tape IV.
      ALL NETWORKS
      Runtime: 1:00

      1. Smith/Donaldson: More controversy on the White House tapes. Time Code Start: 00:00. Keywords: bugging, bugs, wiretapping, wire taps, surveillance, spying, recordings, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, scandals. Network: ABC.

      2. Reasoner/Zimmerman: Vice President Agnew hearings; poll on President Nixon's handling of the Watergate scandal. Time Code Start: 02:04. Keywords: Vice Presidents, resignations, terminations, taxes, investments, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, scandals,. Network: ABC.

      3. Smith/Tomlinson: Cambodian bombings [Vietnam]. Time Code Start: 04:01. Keywords: Cambodia, Vietnam War, bombings. Network: ABC.

      4. Reasoner: John Love talks about fuel allocation. Time Code Start: 07:27. Keywords: energy crisis, oil crisis, petroleum, oil supply, gasoline, fuel, shortages, rationing, allocations. Network: ABC.

      5. Smith/Schomaucher: Crime commission releases its report with Elliot Richardson. Time Code Start: 11:22. Keywords: government, organizations, reports, anti-crime, offences, infractions, criminals, criminality, law breaking. Network: ABC.

      6. Chancellor/Nessen: Vice President Agnew hearings. Time Code Start: 13:48. Keywords: Vice Presidents, resignations, terminations, taxes, investments, investigations, hearings. Network: NBC.

      7. Chancellor/Levine/Thompson: Crop report on wheat, soybeans and corn. Time Code Start: 17:18. Keywords: U.S., American, agriculture, food, crops, products, shortages, prices, sales, costs, increases, reports. Network: NBC.

      8. Chancellor/Cochran: Cambodian bombing; secret bombings and cover-up [Vietnam]. Time Code Start: 20:25. Keywords: Cambodia, Vietnam War, bombings. Network: NBC.

      9. Mudd/Schieffer: Cambodian bombing; Senator Armed Services Committee are investigating the secret bombing. Time Code Start: 23:12. Keywords: Cambodia, Vietnam War, bombings. Network: CBS.

      10. Mudd: Investigation of Vice President Agnew; Governor Marvin Mandel defends Vice President Agnew. Time Code Start: 26:13. Keywords: Vice Presidents, resignations, terminations, taxes, investments, investigations, hearings, Governors, statements. Network: CBS.

      11. Mudd/Schorr: Watergate Committee goes to court for President Nixon's tapes with Sam Dash. Time Code Start: 27:27. Keywords: bugging, bugs, wiretapping, wire taps, surveillance, spying, recordings, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, scandals. Network: CBS.

      12. Mudd/Graham: Crime; report of President Nixon's Commission with Elliot Richardson. Time Code Start: 29:08. Keywords: government, organizations, reports, anti-crime, offences, infractions, criminals, criminality, law breaking. Network: CBS.

Context (External Sources)