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December 21, 1969

Introduction

This almanac page for Sunday, December 21, 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: Saturday, December 20, 1969

Next Date: Monday, December 22, 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 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.

    No Federal Register published on this date

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)
      Saturday, December 20 - Wednesday, December 24.

      I left for California with the family Saturday morning. Had no communication directly with the President through this period, although in frequent contact with Alex Butterfield, Chapin, Ehrlichman. Basically they handled operations. President was in relaxed mood, but still pushing on Tax Bill, budget, etc., and waged a great fight, successfully, for the Philadelphia Plan for hiring Negroes. Great political coup! President toured White House offices on Wednesday, after buying 150 lbs. of candy to distribute.
    • 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.

    • No President's Daily Brief delivered on this date

  • 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. E-7, Documents on South Asia, 1969-1972

    India and Pakistan: Pre-Crisis, January 1969-February 1971

    • 45. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon, Washington, December 21, 1969

      Kissinger forwarded Secretary of State Rogers’ objections to the sale of tanks by Turkey to Pakistan. Kissinger reiterated his support for the sale.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 624, Country Files, Middle East, Pakistan, Vol. II, 1 Dec 69–Sept 70. Secret. Sent for action. The attached memorandum is dated December 18. Nixon did not approve or disapprove the recommendation, but wrote on the memorandum as follows: “K Discuss with me.” On December 23, David Schneider, Country Director for India, sent a letter to Keating about the memorandum that Rogers sent to Nixon. He wrote of Rogers: “We met with him to discuss the proposal and he was quite emphatic in his opposition to it.” He added, however, “the recurrent theme one hears from the NSC staff is that the President ‘wants to do something for Pakistan.’” (Department of State, NEA/INC Files: Lot 77 D 51, Eyes Only Correspondence 1969/1970)

  • 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-2673 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2673-02-10, President Nixon, Pat Nixon, and Tricia Nixon pose in front of a Christmas tree after a White House East Room religious worship services in the Grand Hall, President Nixon, Pat Nixon, and Tricia Nixon pose in front of a Christmas tree. Apollo 12 Astronauts and their wives join President Nixon, Pat Nixon, and Tricia Nixon. 12/21/1969, Washington, D.C. Grand Hall, White House. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Tricia Nixon, Alan Bean, Sue Bean, Charles Conrad, Jr., Jane Conrad, Richard Gordon, Jr., Barbara Gordon, Choir, director, participants.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2673-02A, President Nixon, Pat Nixon, and Tricia Nixon pose in front of the White House Christmas tree after the White House East Room religious worship services in the Grand Hall. 12/21/1969, Washington, D.C. Grand Hall, White House. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Tricia Nixon.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2673-11-18, President Nixon and Pat Nixon stand with religious worship service participants, the choir and its director. 12/21/1969, Washington, D.C. Grand Hall, White House. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Tricia Nixon, Alan Bean, Sue Bean, Charles Conrad, Jr., Jane Conrad, Richard Gordon, Jr., Barbara Gordon, Choir, director, participants.

    Roll WHPO-2674 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2674-1-24, Nixon and Pat Nixon mingle with guests after a worship service. 12/21/1969, Washington, D.C. Grand Hall, White House. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Alan Bean, Sue Bean, Charles Conrad, Jr., Jane Conrad, Richard Gordon, Jr., Barbara Gordon, Choir, guests.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2674-25-26, President Nixon and Pat Nixon, pose with the Apollo XII (Apollo 12) astronauts and their wives. 12/21/1969, Washington, D.C. Grand Hall, White House. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Alan Bean, Sue Bean, Charles Conrad, Jr., Jane Conrad, Richard Gordon, Jr., Barbara Gordon, Choir, guests.

    Roll WHPO-2675 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2675-02-09, A White House East Room religious worship service, including a choir singing. 12/21/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, East Room. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Tricia Nixon, Choir members, guests, participants.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2675-10-11, President Nixon, Pat Nixon, and Tricia Nixon in front of a decorated Christmas tree in the Grand Hall. 12/21/1969, Washington, D.C. East Room, Grand Hall, White House. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Tricia Nixon.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2675-11, President Nixon, Pat Nixon, and Tricia Nixon in front of a decorated Christmas tree in the Grand Hall. 12/21/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Grand Hall. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Tricia Nixon.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2675-12, President Nixon and Pat Nixon with White House East Room religious worship service participants. 12/21/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, East Room. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Tricia Nixon, Choir, guests, participants.

    Roll WHPO-2676 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2676-, President Nixon and Pat Nixon at White House Staff Christmas party, greeting guests and the Singing Angels Children's Choir from Cleveland, Ohio. 12/21/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, East Room. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Singing Angels, guests.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2676-06, President Nixon and Pat Nixon at White House Staff Christmas party, greeting the Singing Angels Children's Choir members from Cleveland, Ohio. 12/21/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, East Room. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Singing Angels Children's Choir.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2676-15, President Nixon and Pat Nixon at White House Staff Christmas party, greeting guests. President Nixon holds a little girl while everyone smiles. 12/21/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, East Room. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, guests.

    Roll WHPO-2677 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2677-, White House Staff Christmas Party guests walking in front of a Christmas tree. 12/21/1969, Washington, D.C. Grand Hall, White House. White House staff and guests.

    Roll WHPO-2678 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2678-, White House Staff Christmas Party guests walking in front of a Christmas tree and at the reception. 12/21/1969, Washington, D.C. Grand Hall, White House, East Room. White House staff and guests.

    Roll WHPO-2679 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2679-00-09, No negatives - contact sheet only., The Singing Angels choir performing, Pat Nixon shaking Santa Claus's hand, and Nixon and Pat Nixon greeting guests at White House Staff Christmas Party. 12/21/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, East Room. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Singing Angels, White House staff and guests, Santa Claus.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2679-08 No negative - contact sheet and print only., President Nixonn and Pat Nixon greeting guests at White House Staff Christmas Party. 12/21/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, East Room. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Singing Angels, White House staff and guests, Santa Claus.

    Roll WHPO-2680 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2680-, Scenes from White House Staff Christmas Party, including Santa Claus, the Singing Angels, and Nixon and Pat Nixon greeting guests. 12/21/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, East Room. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Singing Angels, White House staff and guests, Santa Claus.

  • 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.

    I - Various Administration Events

    • WHCA-SR-I-022
      Christmas Sunday worship service, with Carla Scouten, Susan Butterfield, Beth Atwater, Brigid Flanigan, Maureen Finch, and Jan Ehrlichman [see P-691230]. (12/21/1969, East Room, White House)

      Runtime: 30:00:00

      Keywords: Church service, worship service, prayer service, religion

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

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

    P - Formal Presidential Remarks

    • WHCA-SR-P-691230
      Remarks by President Nixon at White House worship service with Carla Scouten, Susan Butterfield, Brigid Flanigan, Maureen Finch, Jan Ehrlichman [see I-22]. (12/21/1969)

      Runtime: 3:28

      Keywords: Church service, worship service, prayer service, religion

      Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.
    • WHCA-SR-P-691232
      Remarks by President Nixon at reception for White House staff. (12/21/1969)

      Runtime: 6:02

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

Context (External Sources)