December 18, 1973

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 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.

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.

• Statement About an Arab Terrorist Attack at Leonardo da Vinci Airport, Fiumicino, Italy

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 Tuesday, December 18, 1973

The Congressional Record is the official daily record of the debates and proceedings of the U.S. Congress.

• Senate: December 18, 1973
• House of Representatives: December 18, 1973
• Extensions of Remarks: December 18, 1973

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 December 18, 1973
• Date search for December 18, 1973

All National Archives Units

• Text search for December 18, 1973
• Date search for December 18, 1973

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 18 December 1973

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. XXV, Arab-Israeli Crisis and War, 1973

Arab-Israeli Crisis and War, 1973

• 405. Telegram From Secretary of State Kissinger to the Embassy in Israel, Lisbon, December 18, 1973, 0610Z

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Kissinger Office Files, Box 132, Country Files, Middle East, Egypt, Vol. VIII, November 1–December 31, 1973. Secret; Flash; Nodis; Cherokee. Repeated Flash to the Department of State.

• 406. Backchannel Message From Secretary of State Kissinger to the President’s Deputy Assistant for National Security Affairs (Scowcroft), Lisbon, December 18, 1973, 0905Z

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Kissinger Trip Files, Box 42, HAK Trip—Europe & Mideast, HAKTO 1–88, Dec. 8–22, 1973. Secret; Sensitive; Immediate.

• 407. Memorandum From the President’s Deputy Assistant for National Security Affairs (Scowcroft) to President Nixon, Washington, December 18, 1973

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Kissinger Office Files, Box 43, Kissinger Trip Files, HAK Trip—Europe & Mideast, State Cables, Memos & Misc., Dec. 8–22, 1973. Secret.

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

Human Rights

• 233. Telegram 5688 From the U.S. Mission to the UN to the Department of State, New York, December 18, 1973, 2308Z

  The telegram summarized the results of negotiations concerning human rights at the 28th UN General Assembly.
  
  Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files. Limited Official Use. Transmitted for action to IO. Repeated to the U.S. Mission to the United Nations, Geneva.

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-E2005 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-E2005-, President Nixon meeting with representatives of the National Parks Centennial Commission to receive the Commission's final report. 12/18/1973, Washington, D.C. Oval Office. President Nixon, Laurence W. Lane, former chairman of National Parks Centennial Commission, Edmund B. Thornton, Chairman of National Parks Centennial Commission, Rogers C. B. Morton, Secretary of the Interior, and Congressman Thomas S. Foley (D-Washington).
• Frame(s): WHPO-E2005-, President Nixon meets with representatives of the National Parks Centennial Commission to receive the Commission's final report. 12/18/1973, Washington, D.C. Oval Office. President Nixon, Edmund B. Thornton, Chairman of National Parks Centennial Commission, and his two sons, Rogers C. B. Morton, and Laurence W. Lane.

Roll WHPO-E2006 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-E2006-, The White House Rose Garden covered in snow. 12/18/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, Rose Garden.
• Frame(s): WHPO-E2006-, President Nixon meets with Attorney General-designate William B. Saxbe to congratulate him on his recent confirmation as Attorney General. 12/18/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, William B. Saxbe.
• Frame(s): WHPO-E2006-, President Nixon meets with U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Senegal O. Rudolph Aggrey, to discuss Senegalese relations. 12/18/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, O. Rudolph Aggrey.
• Frame(s): WHPO-E2006-10, President Nixon meets with Attorney General-designate William B. Saxbe to congratulate him on his recent confirmation as Attorney General. 12/18/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, William B. Saxbe.

Roll WHPO-E2007 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-E2007-, President Nixon meets with representatives of the National Parks Centennial Commission to receive the Commission's final report (Event 4). President Nixon meets with Ambassador O. Rudolph Aggrey, to discuss U.S.-Senegalese relations. (Event 5). 12/18/1973, Washington, D.C. Oval Office. President Nixon, Laurence W. Lane, Edmund B. Thornton, Mr. Thornton's two son, Rogers C. B. Morton, and Congressman Thomas S. Foley (Event 4). Nixon and O. Rudolph Aggrey, Ambassador from the U.S. to the Republic of Senegal (Event 5).
• Frame(s): WHPO-E2007-, President Nixon meets with Senator McClure to discuss his recent trip to the Middle East. 12/18/1973, Washington, D.C. Oval Office. President Nixon and Senator James A. McClure (R-Idaho).
• Frame(s): WHPO-E2007-, President and Pat Nixon attend a White House East Room religious worship service conducted by Rev. Billy Graham. 12/16/1973, Washington, D.C. East Room. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Reverend Billy Graham and other worshippers attending church service.
• Frame(s): WHPO-E2007-, President Nixon meets with Attorney General-designate William B. Saxbe to congratulate him on his recent confirmation as Attorney General. 12/18/1973, Washington, D.C. Oval Office. President Nixon and Attorney General-designate William B. Saxbe.

Roll WHPO-E2008 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-E2008-, Pat Nixon hosts a Christmas holiday reception for the White House Residence's staff, featuring a visit from Santa Claus. Staff members pose for portraits in front of poinsettia plants set in a Christmas tree shape. 12/18/1973, Washington, D.C. White House. Pat Nixon, unidentified White House Residence staff members, Santa Claus.
• Frame(s): WHPO-E2008-04A, President Nixon standing and speaking with Senator William Saxbe in the Oval Office. 12/18/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Senator William B. Saxbe (R-Ohio).

Roll WHPO-E2009 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-E2009-02A-07A, 10A-18A, Pat Nixon greeting guests as she hosts a Christmas holiday reception for the Nixon's White House residence staff. 12/18/1973, Washington, D.C. White House. Pat Nixon, White House Residence staff.
• Frame(s): WHPO-E2009-08A-09A, Pat Nixon greeting butler Eugene Allen and a woman wearing white (possibly Mrs. Allen) at the Christmas holiday reception for the Nixon's White House residence staff. 12/18/1973, Washington, D.C. White House. Pat Nixon, Butler Eugene Allen, unidentified woman.

Roll WHPO-E2011 Photographer: | Color or B&W:

• Frame(s): WHPO-E2011-, East Wing staff members with a Christmas snowman in front of White House. 12/18/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, South Grounds. East Wing staff and snowman.

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.

K - Informal Presidential Remarks

• WHCA-SR-K-132
  Photo opportunity with James Schlesinger-Oval Office. (12/18/1973)
  
  Runtime: 1:40
  
  Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.
• WHCA-SR-K-133
  Photo opportunity with Rogers C.B. Morton-Oval Office. (12/18/1973)
  
  Runtime: 0:55
  
  Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.

S - White House Press Office Briefings (continuation of the L-series)

• WHCA-SR-S-418
  Press pool report on photo opportunity with the President and James Schlesinger. (12/18/1973, White House Press Lobby)
  
  Runtime: 7:30
  
  Keywords: Press conferences, news conferences, interviews, media
  
  Production credits: Audio feed supplied by WHCA; Recorded by __ (initials of WHCA engineer)
  
  Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.
• WHCA-SR-S-419
  Press briefing by Gerald Warren. (12/18/1973, White House Press Lobby)
  
  Runtime: 52:00:00
  
  Keywords: Press conferences, news conferences, interviews, media
  
  Production credits: Audio feed supplied by WHCA; Recorded by __ (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-6710
  Weekly News Summary, Tape I.
  ALL NETWORKS
  Runtime: 1:30
  
  18. Smith/Kaplow: Secretary of State Kissinger doubts about Syrian attendance at peace conference. Time Code Start: 34:52. Keywords: Middle East, Mideast, war, cabinet, advisors, Syrian, negotations, statements, interviews. Network: ABC.
  
  19. Reasoner/Zimmerman: Former Vice President Agnew disbarment hearings. Time Code Start: 36:35. Keywords: Vice Presidents, resignations, terminations, taxes, investments, investigations, hearings, careers, jobs, unemployment, disbarments, law officials. Network: ABC.
  
  20. Smith/Ratner: Senate Watergate hearings; Senator Ervin says will accept subpoenas, believes law shouldn't be necessary to force President Nixon to release documents and tapes. Time Code Start: 38:27. Keywords: Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals, impeachment, resignations. Network: ABC.
  
  21. Schoumacher: White House tapes played at a cocktail party. Time Code Start: 40:09. Keywords: bugging, bugs, wiretapping, wire taps, surveillance, spying, recordings, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, scandals. Network: ABC.
  
  22. Smith/Jackson: Kent State investigation. Time Code Start: 41:32. Keywords: National Guard, shootings, students, deaths, colleges, universities, investigations, demonstrations, rally, protests, protesters, demonstraters, demonstrators, Vietnam War, anti-war, lawsuits, hearings, trials. Network: ABC.
  
  23. Smith/Matney: Senate drug hearings with Senator Nelson and Consumer Activist Ralph Nader. Time Code Start: 44:32. Keywords: Senators, hearings, activists, consumer advocates, environmentalists, issues, investigations, reports, statements, narcotics, drug abuse, drugs. Network: ABC.
  
  24. Chancellor/Nessen: Former Vice President Agnew disbarment hearings with Agnew. Time Code Start: 46:45. Keywords: Vice Presidents, resignations, terminations, taxes, investments, investigations, hearings, careers, jobs, unemployment, disbarments, law officials. Network: NBC.
  
  25. Chancellor/Stern: Watergate hearings with Ervin. Time Code Start: 49:02. Keywords: Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals, impeachment, resignations. Network: NBC.
  
  26. Chancellor: White House Press Corps travel. Time Code Start: 50:53. Keywords: Presidents, media, organizations, reporters, journalists, travel, trips, costs, fundings, aircraft, airlines. Network: NBC.
  
  27. Chancellor/Scherer: Energy crisis with Senator Jackson. Time Code Start: 51:36. Keywords: petroleum, oil, gasoline, fuel, shortages, rationing, natural resources. Network: NBC.
  
  28. Chancellor/Pakston: Kent State investigations. Time Code Start: 53:12. Keywords: National Guard, shootings, students, deaths, colleges, universities, investigations, demonstrations, rally, protests, protesters, demonstraters, demonstrators, Vietnam War, anti-war, lawsuits, hearings, trials. Network: NBC.
  
  29. Chancellor: President Nixon's tax returns. Time Code Start: 54:59. Keywords: Presidents, taxes, taxation, revenue, income taxes, reports. Network: NBC.
  
  30. Chancellor/Brinkley: Tax deductions for politicians. Time Code Start: 55:43. Keywords: taxes, taxation, revenue. Network: NBC.
  
  31. Cronkite/Kalb: Geneva peace talks with Secretary of State Kissinger. Time Code Start: 57:33. Keywords: Middle East, Mideast, Switzerland, Arab Israeli war, peace, truce, treaties, negotiations, conferences, cabinet, advisors. Network: CBS.
  
  32. Cronkite/Schieffer: Middle East problems. Time Code Start: 59:20. Keywords: Middle East, Mideast, war. Network: CBS.
  
  33. Cronkite/Morton: Energy crisis with Senator Jackson. Time Code Start: 60:43. Keywords: petroleum, oil, gasoline, fuel, shortages, rationing, natural resources. Network: CBS.
  
  34. Cronkite/Serafin: Former Vice President Agnew disbarment hearings with Agnew. Time Code Start: 62:40. Keywords: Vice Presidents, resignations, terminations, taxes, investments, investigations, hearings, careers, jobs, unemployment, disbarments, law officials. Network: CBS.
  
  35. Cronkite: Watergate hearings; President Nixon's homes. Time Code Start: 64:37. Keywords: Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals, impeachment, resignations. Network: CBS.
  
  36. Cronkite/Pappas: Kent State investigation. Time Code Start: 65:34. Keywords: National Guard, shootings, students, deaths, colleges, universities, investigations, demonstrations, rally, protests, protesters, demonstraters, demonstrators, Vietnam War, anti-war, lawsuits, hearings, trials. Network: CBS.
  
  37. Cronkite: Soviet space shot (film). Time Code Start: 68:34. Keywords: Russia, Soviet Union, USSR, NASA, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, space program, astronauts, moon, flights. Network: CBS.
  
  38. Cronkite/Sevareid: Analysis on the energy crisis. Time Code Start: 69:20. Keywords: petroleum, oil, gasoline, fuel, shortages, rationing, natural resources. Network: CBS.

• New York Times of December 18, 1973

• AP Images photos from December 18, 1973
• Getty Images photos from December 18, 1973

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.

• December 1973 Broadcast Index

Wikipedia is a free encyclopedia that anyone can edit.

• December 18, 1973