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December 17, 1969

Introduction

This almanac page for Wednesday, December 17, 1969, 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: Tuesday, December 16, 1969

Next Date: Thursday, December 18, 1969

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.

    Appointments and Nominations

    • Department of Defense (5 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 1758, December 17, 1969)
      Announcement of Intention To Nominate Gardiner L. Tucker as Assistant Secretary of Defense for Systems Analysis.

    Congress, Communications to

    • Federal Spending and Revenues (5 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 1758, December 17, 1969)
      The President's Letter to the Leadership of the House of Representatives and the Senate Urging Congressional Cooperation in Maintaining Responsible Fiscal Policies.

    Nominations Submitted to the Senate

    Does not include promotions of members of the Uniformed Services, nominations to the Service Academies, or nominations of Foreign Service Officers.

    • GARDINER LUTTRELL TUCKER, of Virginia, to to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense.
    • WHITNEY NORTH SEYMOUR, JR., of New York, to be United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York for the term of 4 years, vice Robert M. Morgenthau.

  • 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.

  • 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.

    President's Personal File

    The President's Personal File is essentially a President's secretary's file, kept by Rose Mary Woods, personal secretary to the President, for two purposes: (1) preserving for posterity a collection of documents particularly close to the President, whether because he dictated or annotated them, or because of the importance of the correspondent or the event concerned and (2) giving appropriate attention–letters of gratitude, invitations to White House social events, and the like–to members and important friends and supporters of the Nixon administration. This generalization does not describe all the varied materials of a file group which is essentially a miscellany, but it does identify the reason for the existence of the file group's core. Visit the finding aid to learn more.

  • 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)
      Wednesday, December 17.

      NSC on Africa, budget review, and a press Christmas reception. That about used up the President's day, with a breakfast with Mansfield as a starter.

      Fairly long noon session on schedule details, some general trivia and a few Ehrlichman items.

      Ehrlichman and I met with Ted Braun this morning to brief him on the John and Martha Mitchell situation before his meeting with the Attorney General, to see if he can give him some basic PR guidance and assistance. Ted called later to say he had gotten on well with John and they were going to go to work.

      President did a pretty good job with the press, in a light vein, with couple of good cracks. The party came off very well.
    • 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. II, Organization and Management of U.S. Foreign Policy, 1969-1972

    Managing the Department of State

    • 311. Circular Airgram From the Department of State , Washington, December 17, 1969

      Source: Central Intelligence Agency, Executive Registry Files, Job 80–M00165A, State/Letters to all Ambassadors. Top Secret. Drafted by Sidney Buford (INR/DDC) on December 16, cleared by Karamessines, Karamessines and Cline and Coerr, and approved by U. Alexis Johnson. Helms had informed Johnson in a May 7 memorandum, that after reviewing a draft of the Presidential letter that was eventually sent to Ambassadors on December 9, he was willing to concur in the letter on the understanding that a classified Roger Channel message would be sent as a codicil to the Presidential letter. The message was designed to make clear to Ambassadors that they were not expected to be cognizant of the sensitive details of clandestine operations and communications of CIA, while also assuring Ambassadors that Station Chiefs would continue to keep them “appropriately informed of covert action projects and clandestine intelligence and counterintelligence programs,” especially those involving “high policy sensitivity.” (Ibid.)

    Vol. XVII, China, 1969-1972

    China, 1969

    • 52. Memorandum of Conversation , Taipei, December 17, 1969, 4:30-5:30 p.m.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 520, Country Files, Far East, China, Vol. IV. Secret; Exdis. The meeting was held at Chiang’s residence in Shih Lin. Drafted by McConaughy on December 30, passed to Green, who then forwarded it to Kissinger, who in turn sent it to the President. Kissinger wrote, “it would appear that McConaughy faithfully reproduced your ideas to President Chiang.” Kissinger added that he had authorized Green to “make limited dissemination of the MemCon in State, on a need-to-know basis, in the belief that the document will have a useful educational effect in acquainting the appropriate officers in State as to the tone and thrust of your China policy.” (Memorandum from Kissinger to Nixon, February 17; ibid.)

    Vol. XX, Southeast Asia, 1969-1972

    Thailand

    Philippines

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

    The Rogers Plan

    Vol. XXIV, Middle East Region and Arabian Peninsula, 1969-1972; Jordan, September 1970

    Middle East Region

    • 16. Airgram From the Department of State to the Embassy in the Soviet Union, Washington, December 17, 1969, 7:05 p.m.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, POL NEAR E–USSR. Secret; Limdis. Drafted by G. Norman Anderson (EUR/SOV); cleared in EUR, EUR/SOV, NEA/IAI, NEA/ARN, NEA/ARP, NEA/UAR, INR/RNA, INR/RSE, and by Sisco; and approved by Adolph Dubs (EUR/SOV). It was repeated to Algiers, Amman, Beirut, Kuwait, Paris, Cairo, Khartoum, London, Jidda, Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Tripoli, USUN, and the Mission to NATO.

    Vol. XXVIII, Southern Africa

    Regional Issues

    • 20. Minutes of a National Security Council Meeting , Washington, December 17, 1969

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–026, National Security Council Meetings, NSC Meeting 12/17/69 Southern Africa. Secret. The meeting was held in the Cabinet Room at the White House from 10:03 a.m. to 12:03 p.m. (Ibid., White House Central Files, President’s Daily Diary)

    Vol. XXIX, Eastern Mediterranean, 1969-1972

    Greece

    • 264. Memorandum of Conversation , Washington, December 17, 1969

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, POL 15 GREECE. Confidential; Limdis. Drafted by Mitchell and approved in S on December 24.

    Vol. XXXVI, Energy Crisis, 1969-1974

    February 20, 1969-February 19, 1970

    Vol. E-5, Part 1, Documents on Sub-Saharan Africa, 1969-1972

    Nigerian Civil War

    • 148. Telegram 10757 From the Embassy in Nigeria to the Department of State, Lagos, December 17, 1969, 1108Z

      Ambassador Trueheart reported on Nigerian Federal Commissioner for External Affairs Arikpoʼs reaction to receiving Under Secretary of State Elliot Richardsonʼs message. Arikpo appreciated the points made, but believed it was time to end the “propaganda exercises.”

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, POL 27–14 Biafra-Nigeria. Secret; Exdis; Immediate.

  • 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-2652 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2652-01-13, President Nixon seated at his Oval Office desk (head and shoulders). 12/17/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon.

    Roll WHPO-2653 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2653-03A-11A, President Nixon standing with staff assistant John Brown. 12/17/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, John Brown.

    Roll WHPO-2654 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2654-02A-12A, Pat Nixon, in front of a decorated Christmas tree, presenting a check to the administrator of Children's Hospital as others watch. 12/17/1969, Washington, D.C. Grand Hall, White House. Pat Nixon, Children's Hospital officials.

    Roll WHPO-2655 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2655-03A-21A, Pat Nixon in front of a White House Christmas tree, presenting a check to the administrator of Children's Hospital as others watch. 12/17/1969, Washington, D.C. Grand Hall, White House. Pat Nixon, Children's Hospital officials.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2655-18, Pat Nixon looking at handmade state globe ornaments on the decorated White House Christmas tree. 12/17/1969, Washington, D.C. Grand Hall, White House. Pat Nixon.

    Roll WHPO-2656 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2656-02-22, Vice President Agnew at a birthday party for Jim Brown. 12/17/1969, Washington, D.C. unknown. Spiro Agnew, Jim Brown, staff members.

    Roll WHPO-2657 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2657-02-09, Tricia Nixon greeting students of the Page School. 12/17/1969, Washington, D.C. Diplomatic Reception Room, White House. Tricia Nixon, Page School students, chaperones.

    Roll WHPO-2658 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2658-03A-25A, Tricia Nixon at a Christmas Party at the Argentine Embassy. 12/17/1969, Washington, D.C. Embassy of Argentina. Tricia Nixon, adults, children.

    Roll WHPO-2659 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2659-02A-14A, Tricia Nixon at a Christmas Party at the Argentine Embassy. 12/17/1969, Washington, D.C. Embassy of Argentina. Tricia Nixon, adults, children.

    Roll WHPO-2660 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2660-, President Nixon and Pat Nixon host a reception for the Washington, D.C., press corps reporters, editors, photographers and their families. 12/17/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, East Room. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Tricia Nixon, Washington press corps and family members, handbell ringers, entertainers.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2660-, President Nixon speaking to a crowd of very young children at a reception for the Washington, D.C., press corps reporters, editors, photographers and their families. 12/17/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, East Room. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Tricia Nixon, Washington press corps and family members, handbell ringers, entertainers.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2660-05, President Nixon speaking closely to a crowd of young children, while their parents stand in the back of the crowd during a reception for the Washington, D.C., press corps reporters, editors, photographers and their families. 12/17/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, East Room. President Nixon, press corps reporters, editors, photographers and their families.

  • 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-110
      Background briefing by Ronald Ziegler, Bryce Harlow, Daniel Patrick Moynihan, and John D. Ehrlichman; "OFF THE RECORD - NOT FOR RELEASE". (12/17/1969, Family Theater, White House)

      Runtime: [None listed

      Keywords: Briefings, public briefings, statements to the press (see also Press conferences, news conferences, interviews, media)

      Production credits: Audio feed supplied by "WHCA only"; Recorded by JLS (initials of WHCA engineer)

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

    J - Entertainment at the White House

    • WHCA-SR-J-114
      University of Maryland Madrigals [see P-691227]. (12/17/1969)

      Keywords: Musician, musicians, music, celebrities, performance, American popular music

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

    P - Formal Presidential Remarks

    • WHCA-SR-P-691226
      Excerpts from letter to Congressionsl leaders on spending. (12/17/1969)

      Runtime: 4:07

      Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.
    • WHCA-SR-P-691227
      Remarks by President Nixon at Christmas party for White House press [see J-114]. (12/17/1969)

      Runtime: 11:00

      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-3577
      Weekly News Summary. Richard Nixon, Vice President Agnew, Bob Hope.
      All networks
      Runtime: 00:32:00

      8. Huntley/Valeriani: Report on Domestic policies; White House Administration says welfare reform wouldn't pass Congress if it was thought to be mostly for blacks, knows they lack confidence of blacks. Time Code Start: 22:55. Keywords: bills, laws, African Americans, financial aid, support. Network: NBC.

      9. Report on first year of President Nixon's Admininstration. Time Code Start: 24:45. Keywords: Presidents, administrations, reports. Network: ABC.

Context (External Sources)