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December 21, 1971

Introduction

This almanac page for Tuesday, December 21, 1971, 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: Monday, December 20, 1971

Next Date: Wednesday, December 22, 1971

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 Government House, Hamilton, Bermuda

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.

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.

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)
    Tuesday, December 21.

    The President had Rogers, Annenberg, Rose Woods, and me for lunch at the guest beach cottage that was available to him. It was mainly therapy for Rogers and Annenberg and worked out pretty well. The Kissinger problem came up again today. Henry raised it, as did the President, on the point that Henry is convinced from a talk he had with Marvin Kalb, that either Rogers or Peterson has put out the anti-Administration line on India-Pakistan from the State Department. Ehrlichman called, said that he and the Attorney General had to meet with the President and me immediately upon our return tonight, which we did. It turned out that, in their investigation of the Jack Anderson leaks, they had uncovered the fact that a yeoman in the NSC shop, assigned to liaison with the Joint Chiefs, was the almost certain source of not only the leaks, but also the absconding of information from Henry's, and Haig's, and other people's briefcases, which were turned over to the JCS [Joint Chiefs of Staff]. The President was quite shocked, naturally, by the whole situation and agreed that very strong action had to be taken, but very carefully, since we don't want to blow up the whole relationship with the JCS [Joint Chiefs of Staff]. Apparently they had set up this system for getting the information to them. The question is, who at the Joint Chiefs was aware of it. Ehrlichman seems to feel Zumwalt was directly involved. In any event, Mitchell is going to proceed on the basis of having Henry tell the Admiral that works for him now that he can go ahead and answer questions. The Admiral has refused to answer some of the key questions, on the grounds that his personal relationship with Kissinger precludes it. So they're going to tell Henry to release that and then let Henry sweat a little on what's really going on here. In the meantime, they've sort of semi-suspended the yeoman and figure that they don't want to prosecute, because that would just accelerate the situation. So it's a tough one to figure out.

    The President’s day on TV was on tonight and was a pretty good show. Not as good as I thought it was going to be. It'll be interesting to see what reaction we get from it.

    End of December 21.
  • Original audio recording (MP3)

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

Vol. V, United Nations, 1969-1972

Committee of 24

Secretary-General Succession

Vol. XI, South Asia Crisis, 1971

South Asia Crisis, 1971

  • 329. Memorandum From the Presidentʼs Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon, Washington, December 21, 1971

    Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 38, Presidentʼs Daily Briefs. Top Secret; Sensitive; Codeword.

  • 331. Memorandum of Conversation, Bermuda, December 21, 1971, 2:35 p.m.

    Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 27 INDIA–PAK. Secret; Nodis. Drafted on January 13, 1972, by Assistant Secretary for European Affairs Martin J. Hillenbrand. The meeting was held at Government House. The conversation, part I of VIII, was one of a number of exchanges December 20–21 among Prime Minister Edward Heath, Foreign Secretary Sir Alec Douglas-Home, various advisers and members of the British Cabinet, and a U.S. team headed by President Nixon that included Rogers, Connally, Kissinger, and Haldeman.

Vol. XXI, Chile, 1969-1973

Cool and Correct: The U.S. Response to the Allende Administration, November 5, 1970-December 31, 1972

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

Visit the White House Tapes finding aid to learn about the taping system's operation and archival processing.

Oval Office

White House Telephone

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-8083 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: Color

  • Frame(s): WHPO-8083-, A dry fountain and its statue. 12/21/1971, Washington, D.C. unknown.

Roll WHPO-8085 Photographer: Schumaker, Byron | Color or B&W: Color

  • Frame(s): WHPO-8085-, President Nixon departure ceremony from Government House. 12/21/1971, Hamilton, Bermuda Government House grounds.
  • Frame(s): WHPO-8085-02-17, Outside of Government House, meeting with Prime Minister Heath of Great Britain. 12/20/1971, Hamilton, Bermuda Government House. President Nixon, Edward Heath, William P. Rogers, Henry Kissinger, Sir Alec Douglas-Home.
  • Frame(s): WHPO-8085-07, President Nixon meeting with Prime Minister Heath of Great Britain, Secretary of State William Rogers, Lord Martonmere and Sir Alec Douglas-Home outside the Government House in Hamilton, Bermuda. 12/20/1971, Hamilton, Bermuda Government House grounds. President Nixon, Edward Heath, William P. Rogers, Sir Alec Douglas-Home, Lord Martonmere.

Roll WHPO-8086 Photographer: Schumaker, Byron | Color or B&W: Color

  • Frame(s): WHPO-8086-02-13, President Nixon and Prime Minister Edward Heath in a meeting at Government House in Hamilton, Bermuda. 12/21/1971, Hamilton, Bermuda Government House. President Nixon, William P. Rogers, Edward Heath, Henry Kissinger, and Sir Alec Douglas-Home.
  • Frame(s): WHPO-8086-14, President Nixon holding a shovel during a tree planting ceremony on the grounds at the Government House in Hamilton, Bermuda. Prime Minister Edward Heath and Lord Martonmere stand nearby. A crowd stands nearby with photographers and secret servicemen. 12/21/1971, Hamilton, Bermuda grounds of the Government House. President Nixon, Edward Heath, Lord Martonmere, officials, crowd, photographers, secret service.
  • Frame(s): WHPO-8086-14-34, President Nixon participates in a tree planting ceremony on the grounds at the Government House in Hamilton, Bermuda. 12/21/1971, Hamilton, Bermuda grounds of the Government House. President Nixon, Lord Martonmere, Edward Heath, Gordon R. Groves.
  • Frame(s): WHPO-8086-23, Prime Minister Edward Heath holding a shovel during a tree planting ceremony on the grounds at the Government House in Hamilton, Bermuda. President Nixon and Lord Martonmere stand nearby. A crowd stands nearby with photographers and secret servicemen. 12/21/1971, Hamilton, Bermuda grounds of the Government House. President Nixon, Lord Martonmere,Gordon R. Groves, crowd, officials, secret service, photographers.

Roll WHPO-8087 Photographer: Schumaker, Byron | Color or B&W: Color

  • Frame(s): WHPO-8087-01-09, Press conference with President Nixon and Edward Heath. 12/21/1971, Hamilton, Bermuda Government House in Hamilton, Bermuda. President Nixon, Edward Heath.
  • Frame(s): WHPO-8087-08A, President Nixon at the microphone during a press conference with Prime Minister Edward Heath in Hamilton, Bermuda. Secretary of State William Rogers and Alec Douglas-Home stand nearby. Officials stand nearby. 12/21/1971, Hamilton, Bermuda Government House in Hamilton, Bermuda. President Nixon, Edward Heath, William Rogers, Alec Douglas-Home, officials, unidentified persons.
  • Frame(s): WHPO-8087-10-16, Departure of President Nixon from Hamilton, Bermuda. 12/21/1971, Hamilton, Bermuda Government House Hamilton, Bermuda. President Nixon, Lord and Lady Martonmere, and Edward Heath.

Roll WHPO-8089 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: Color

  • Frame(s): WHPO-8089-, The Anderson House exterior. 12/21/1971, Hamilton, Bermuda Anderson House.
  • Frame(s): WHPO-8089-, The Anderson House exterior. 12/21/1971, Hamilton, Bermuda Anderson House.
  • Frame(s): WHPO-8089-, The Anderson House exterior. 12/21/1971, Hamilton, Bermuda Anderson House.
  • Frame(s): WHPO-8089-, The Anderson House exterior. 12/21/1971, Hamilton, Bermuda Anderson House.

Roll WHPO-8090 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: Color

  • Frame(s): WHPO-8090-, President Nixon shaking hands with Caretakers of Anderson House. 12/21/1971, Hamilton, Bermuda Anderson House. President Nixonand Caretakers of Anderson House.
  • Frame(s): WHPO-8090-, President Nixon shaking hands with Caretakers of Anderson House. 12/21/1971, Hamilton, Bermuda Anderson House. President Nixon and Caretakers of Anderson House.

Roll WHPO-8091 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: Color

  • Frame(s): WHPO-8091-, The Anderson House exterior. 12/21/1971, Bermuda Anderson House.
  • Frame(s): WHPO-8091-, The Anderson House exterior. 12/21/1971, Bermuda Anderson House.
  • Frame(s): WHPO-8091-, View of the coast and ocean near Anderson House in Bermuda. 12/21/1971, Bermuda Anderson House.
  • Frame(s): WHPO-8091-08A, The Anderson House exterior. 12/21/1971, Bermuda Anderson House.

Roll WHPO-8102 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: Color

  • Frame(s): WHPO-8102-, Christmas party for Diplomatic children. 12/21/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, East Room. Pat Nixon.
  • Frame(s): WHPO-8102-, Christmas Party for Diplomatic children. 12/21/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, East Room. Pat Nixon.
  • Frame(s): WHPO-8102-07, Pat Nixon seated in a crowd of children during the White House Christmas Party for Diplomatic children. 12/21/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, East Room. Pat Nixon, children.

Roll WHPO-8103 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: Color

  • Frame(s): WHPO-8103-, Pat Nixon speaking with children from the Diplomatic Corps at a White House East Room Christmas Christmas Party given for them. 12/21/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, East Room. Pat Nixon, children.
  • Frame(s): WHPO-8103-16, Pat Nixon standing near a microphon and speaking to children from the Diplomatic Corps at a White House East Room Christmas Christmas Party given for them. Many of the children in the first row hold ballon animals. 12/21/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, East Room. Pat Nixon, children.
  • Frame(s): WHPO-8103-23, Pat Nixon speaking with a group of children from the Diplomatic Corps, at a White House East Room Christmas Christmas Party given for them. 12/21/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, East Room. Pat Nixon, children.

Roll WHPO-8104 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: Color

  • Frame(s): WHPO-8104-, Pat Nixon with children from the Diplomatic Corps, at a White House East Room Christmas Christmas Party given for them. 12/21/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, East Room. Pat Nixon, children.
  • Frame(s): WHPO-8104-, Christmas Party for Diplomatic children. 12/21/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, East Room. Pat Nixon, children.
  • Frame(s): WHPO-8104-14, Pat Nixon seated with children from the Diplomatic Corps as clowns perform at a White House East Room Christmas Christmas Party thrown for them. 12/21/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, East Room. Pat Nixon, children.

Roll WHPO-8105 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: Color

  • Frame(s): WHPO-8105-, Christmas Party for Diplomatic children. 12/21/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, East Room. Pat Nixon.
  • Frame(s): WHPO-8105-, Christmas Party for Diplomatic children. 12/21/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, East Room. Pat Nixon.

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.

C - First Lady

  • WHCA-SR-C-094
    Remarks by Pat Nixon at the diplomatic children's Christmas program, with Yogi Bear, BooBoo Bear, Bullwinkle Moose and Mr. Ranger Smith. (12/21/1971, East Room, The White House)

    Runtime: 0:34:29

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

    Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original. Technical notes: 1 hour 4 mintes and 15 seconds of silence at end of original recording removed from access copies.

H - White House Staff Member Recordings

  • WHCA-SR-H-481
    Press briefing by Herbert Klein and Clark MacGregor. (12/21/1971, Room 9104, New Executive Office Building)

    Runtime: [Nonelisted]

    Keywords: Press conferences, news conferences, interviews, media

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

    Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.
  • WHCA-SR-H-482
    Press briefing by Prime Minister Edward Heath. (12/21/1971, Bermuda)

    Runtime: 30:00:00

    Keywords: Press conferences, news conferences, interviews, media

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

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

K - Informal Presidential Remarks

  • WHCA-SR-K-251
    Departure ceremony, Navy Air Station-Bermuda. (12/21/1971)

    Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.
  • WHCA-SR-K-251
    Tree planting ceremony at govt. house-Bermuda. (12/21/1971)

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

P - Formal Presidential Remarks

  • WHCA-SR-P-711220
    Remarks by President Nixon on conclusion of talks with Prime Minister Heath in Hamilton, Bermuda. (12/21/1971)

    Runtime: 2:25

    Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.
  • WHCA-SR-P-711221
    NBC program A Day in the Life of the President aired 12/21/71. (12/21/1971)

    Runtime: 60:00:00

    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-4901
    "What's Happened to the Army?". Mayor of Los Angeles Sam Yorty.
    WETA
    Runtime: 00:57:48
  • WHCA-4902
    "The Advocates". The Advocates discuss whether the President should be limited to one six year term
    ALL NETWORKS
    Runtime: 01:05:38
  • WHCA-4903
    NBC Special, "December 6, 1971: A Day in the Presidency". India and Pakistan War, Labor Disputes in Transportation, Revenue Sharing, Domestic Council, Price Control, Inflation, Trade, Drug Control, Tricia's Birthday, China (People's Republic of China)
    ALL NETWORKS
    Runtime: 00:59:05
  • WHCA-4904
    NBC Special: "The Road to Vietnam", Part I of II.
    Eastern Educational Network
    Runtime: 01:06:27
  • WHCA-4905
    "Martin Agronsky: Evening Edition" AND "The Seven Summits", Nixon Meets Heath".
    Post-Newsweek Stations, Inc.
    Runtime: 1:00
  • WHCA-4906
    NBC News Special, "The Death of Diem", part 2I. FTN: U.S. Senator Mike Mansfield; "MTP": Secretary of Agriculture Earl Butz; "I&A": Lakshmi Kant Jha, Ambassador to the United States from India.
    CBS, NBC, ABC
    Runtime: 00:59:31
  • WHCA-4910
    Weekly News Summary, Tape I.
    ALL NETWORKS
    Runtime: 01:35:49

    32. Reasoner: United Nations (U.N.) has new Secretary General, Kurt Walheim. Time Code Start: 69:30. Keywords: cabinet, advisors, organization of nations, intergovernmental alliance. Network: ABC.

    33. Smith/Jarriel/Watson: U.S. dollar on foreign markets and British Prime Minister Heath; President Nixon summit meeting. Time Code Start: 71:18. Keywords: Presidents, travel, trips, Nixon trips, international, Caribbean, Prime Ministers, meetings, imports, taxes. Network: ABC.

    34. Reasoner: Commentary on the Women's Liberation publication titled MS magazine. Time Code Start: 75:30. Keywords: media, magazines, publications, Feminism, Feminist movement, women's rights, Womens Liberation, equality, equal rights, gender, civil rights, activists, women, activists, special interest groups. Network: ABC.

    35. Utley: United Nations (U.N.) has new Secretary General, Kurt Walheim. Time Code Start: 77:29. Keywords: cabinet, advisors, organization of nations, intergovernmental alliance. Network: NBC.

    36. Utley: President Nixon ends talks with British Prime Minister Heath in Bermuda. Time Code Start: 79:50. Keywords: Presidents, travel, trips, Nixon trips, international, Caribbean, Prime Ministers, meetings, imports, taxes. Network: NBC.

    37. Utley: Preview of "A Day in the life of the President". Time Code Start: 81:05. Keywords: Presidents, activities, documentary, reports. Network: NBC.

    38. Brinkley: Commentary on tax cut bill. Time Code Start: 84:08. Keywords: bills, laws, reforms, taxes, taxation, revenue, reductions, decreases, reports. Network: NBC.

    39. Utley/Stern: Supreme Court justices Lewis Powell and William Rehnquist honored and luncheon. Time Code Start: 86:20. Keywords: law officials, judges, justices, courts, trials, investigations, nominees, appointments, confirmations, celebrations. Network: NBC.

    40. Cronkite/Hottelet: New United Nations (U.N.) Secretary General, Kurt Walheim. Time Code Start: 88:37. Keywords: cabinet, advisors, organization of nations, intergovernmental alliance, leaders. Network: CBS.

    41. Cronkite: House Speaker Albert critical of President Nixon Administration. Time Code Start: 91:19. Keywords: Presidents, criticisms. Network: CBS.

    42. Cronkite: White House approves increase in oil imports. Time Code Start: 91:52. Keywords: energy, petroleum, drilling, oil supply, oil supplies, imports, shortages, sales, costs, increases. Network: CBS.

    43. Cronkite/Collingwood: President Nixon returns from talks with British Prime Minister Heath in Bermuda. Time Code Start: 92:11. Keywords: Presidents, travel, trips, Nixon trips, international, Caribbean, Prime Ministers, meetings, imports, taxes. Network: CBS.

Context (External Sources)

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.

Wikipedia is a free encyclopedia that anyone can edit.