1. Home
  2. Research
  3. Almanac

December 22, 1971

Introduction

This almanac page for Wednesday, December 22, 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: Tuesday, December 21, 1971

Next Date: Thursday, December 23, 1971

Schedule and Public Documents

Archival Holdings

  • 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.

  • 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

    The Intelligence Community and the White House

    Vol. V, United Nations, 1969-1972

    U.S. Position Papers and Assessments of General Assembly Sessions

    Secretary-General Succession

    Vol. VII, Vietnam, July 1970-January 1972

    Military and Diplomatic Stalemate, October 11, 1971-January 26, 1972

    Vol. XI, South Asia Crisis, 1971

    South Asia Crisis, 1971

    Vol. XIV, Soviet Union, October 1971-May 1972

    Announcement of Summit Through the South Asia Crisis, October 12-December 1971

    • 33. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon, Washington, December 22, 1971

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 717, Country Files, Europe, USSR, Vol. XVII, November–31 December 1971. Secret; Sensitive. Sent for information. A notation on the memorandum indicates the President saw it. Sonnenfeldt sent this memorandum to Kissinger under cover of a December 17 memorandum with a recommendation that he sign it. Sonnenfeldt noted: “It is a catalogue of diverse activities which struck me as disturbing. No sweeping conclusion should be drawn from the listing, but it seems worth bearing in mind that whatever their motives for wanting a better relationship with the US, other Soviet interests (including internal Soviet politics) will continue to work in the other direction.”

    Vol. XIX, Part 1, Korea, 1969-1972

    Republic of Korea Troops in Vietnam and Force Modernization, April 1971-December 1972

    Vol. XIX, Part 2, Japan, 1969-1972

    November 1971-December 1972: Toward a New Equilibrium

    • 108. Memorandum of Conversation, Washington, December 22, 1971, 5:30 p.m.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, VIP Visits, Box 925, Japan, Sato (San Clemente) Jan 72, [2 of 2]. Secret; Sensitive. Holdridge sent the memorandum under a December 29 covering memorandum; Kissinger subsequently approved the memorandum. (Ibid.)

    Vol. XXI, Chile, 1969-1973

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

    Vol. XXXIV, National Security Policy, 1969-1972

    The Defense Budget and U.S. National Security Policy

    Vol. XXXVI, Energy Crisis, 1969-1974

    April 15, 1971-March 11, 1972

    • 101. Telegram From the Department of State to Certain Diplomatic Posts, Washington, December 22, 1971, 2323Z

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, PET 15–2 LIBYA. Confidential. Drafted on December 20 by Brown; cleared in NEA/IRN, NEA/ARP, AF/N, E/ORF/ICD, EUR/BMI, EUR/RPE, U, and D; and approved by Katz. Sent to USOECD Paris, The Hague, Bonn, Rome, Paris, Tokyo, and Madrid. Repeated to USEC Brussels, Beirut, Dhahran, Caracas, Lagos, Kuwait, Manama, Jidda, Tehran, London, all other OECD capitals, and Algiers.

    Vol. E-1, Documents on Global Issues, 1969-1972

    U.S. Policy Towards International Production and Trafficking in Illegal Drugs

    • 214. Telegram 19761 From the Embassy in the Republic of Vietnam to the Department of State, Saigon, December 22, 1971, 1055Z

      The telegram reported a conversation between the Ambassador and Vietnamese President Thieu on the status of the Vietnamese anti-narcotics and anti-smuggling campaign.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970-73, SOC 11-5. Secret; Exdis. Repeated to Bangkok and Seoul. The Embassy requested that the Department pass to CINCPAC for POLAD. The text of the aide mimoire is in telegram 587 from Saigon, January 13, 1972. (Ibid.)

    Vol. E-4, Documents on Iran and Iraq, 1969-1972

    Iran 1971

    • 154. Telegram 7283 From the Embassy in Iran to the Department of State, Tehran, December 22, 1971, 1400Z

      The Shah described to the Ambassador MacArthur the new strategic situation developing in his region, and the long-term defense forces build-up with which he planned to meet the challenge.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, DEF 6–3 IRAN. Secret. Repeated to CINCEUR and Defense.

    Vol. E-5, Part 2, Documents on North Africa, 1969-1972

    Libya

  • 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 of many of these transcripts can be found on the Yale University Library website.

Audiovisual Holdings

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

    Cabinet Room

    Oval Office

  • 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-8106 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-8106-, President Nixon meeting with Paul McCracken. 12/22/1971, Washington, D.C. White House. President Nixon and Paul McCracken.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8106-, President Nixon meeting with Paul McCracken. 12/22/1971, Washington, D.C. White House. President Nixon and Paul McCracken.

    Roll WHPO-8107 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-8107-, Mike Farrell with visitors during a gift presentation. 12/22/1971, Washington, D.C. Outside of White House. Mike Farrell and visitors.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8107-, Mike Farrell with visitors. 12/22/1971, Washington, D.C. Outside White House. Mike Farrell and visitors.

    Roll WHPO-8108 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-8108-01A-08A, President Nixon's presents a framed Associate Justice Commission certificate to Supreme Court Justices Lewis Powell and William Rehnquist. 12/22/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Lewis Powell, William Rehnquist.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8108-02A, President Nixon's presents a framed Associate Justice Commission certificate to Supreme Court Justice Lewis Powell. William Rehnquist stands by. 12/22/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Lewis Powell, William Rehnquist.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8108-08A/09, President Nixon's presents a framed Associate Justice Commission certificate to Supreme Court Justices Lewis Powell and William Rehnquist. 12/22/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Lewis Powell, William Rehnquist, family members.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8108-09A-10A, President Nixon standing with Justice Lewis Powell and family. 12/22/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Justice Lewis Powell, Josephine Powell, Mrs. Richard S. Smith, Mrs. Christopher Sumner, Lewis F. Powell, III.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8108-11A/12, President Nixon standing with Justice William Rehnquist and his family. 12/22/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Justice William Rehnquist, Natalie Rehnquist, James Rehnquist, Janet Rehnquist, Nancy Rehnquist.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8108-11A-12A, President Nixon standing with Justice William Rehnquist and his family. 12/22/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Justice William Rehnquist, Natalie Rehnquist, James Rehnquist, Janet Rehnquist, Nancy Rehnquist.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8108-13A-15A, President Nixon with Supreme Court Justice William Rehnquist. 12/22/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon and Justice William Rehnquist.

    Roll WHPO-8109 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-8109-, President Nixon talking with Supreme Court Justice William Rehnquist. 12/22/1971, Washington, D.C. White House. President Nixon and William Rehnquist.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8109-, President Nixon talking with Supreme Court Justice William Rehnquist. 12/22/1971, Washington, D.C. White House. President Nixon and William Rehnquist.

    Roll WHPO-8110 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-8110-, President Nixon with the families of Supreme Court Justices William Rehnquist and Lewis Powell. 12/22/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Justice Lewis Powell and his family.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8110-, President Nixon and the family of Justice William Rehnquist. 12/22/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, William Rehnquist family.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8110-, President Nixon with the families of Supreme Court Justices William Rehnquist and Lewis Powell. 12/22/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Justice Lewis Powell and his family.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8110-, President Nixon shaking hands with Justice William Rehnquist. 12/22/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, William Rehnquist, Lewis Powell.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8110-, President Nixon shaking hands with Justice William Rehnquist. 12/22/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, William Rehnquist, Lewis Powell.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8110-, President Nixon and the family of Justice William Rehnquist. 12/22/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, William Rehnquist family.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8110-07, President Nixon shaking hands with Justice Lewis Powell while presenting a framed Associate Justice Commission certificate. Justice William Rehnquist stands nearby applauding. 12/22/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, William Rehnquist, Lewis Powell.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8110-07, President Nixon shaking hands with Justice Lewis Powell while presenting a framed Associate Justice Commission certificate. Justice William Rehnquist stands nearby applauding. 12/22/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, William Rehnquist, Lewis Powell.

    Roll WHPO-8112 Photographer: Schumaker, Byron | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-8112-02-10, Advance group meeting with Ron Walker, Dwight Chapin and Brent Scowcroft, Ron Ziegler, John Scali and other unidentified staff members. 12/22/1971, unknown unidentified meeting room. Ron Walker, Dwight Chapin and Brent Scowcroft, Ron Ziegler, John Scali, (possibly) Tim Elbourne, unidentified men.

    Roll WHPO-8113 Photographer: | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-8113-02-04, Closeup head shots during an Advance group meeting with Ron Walker, Dwight Chapin and Brent Scowcroft. 12/22/1971, unknown unidentified meeting room. Ron Walker, Dwight Chapin, Brent Scowcroft.

    Roll WHPO-8114 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-8114-, President Nixon attending a meeting of of the President's Commission on Financial Structure and Regulation. 12/22/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, Cabinet Room. President Nixon, Under Secretary of the Treasury, Paul Volcker (Acting Secretary), Peter M. Flanigan, George P. Shultz, Reed O. Hunt, Morris D. Crawford, JR. Morgan C. Earnest, William D. Grant, Alan Greenspan, Walter s. Holmes, Jr., Rex J. Morthland, William H. Morton, Ellmore C. Patterson, K.A. Randall, Dr. Donald Jacobs, Dr. Almarin Phillips, Mr. Allen R. Rule, Mr. Henry Shine, Jr., Clarence Scruggs, Mr. James Lynch, Mr. Edward J. Gannon.

    Roll WHPO-8115 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-8115-, Picture of John Evans. 12/22/1971, Washington, D.C. John Evans.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8115-, Picture of John Evans. 12/22/1971, Washington, D.C. John Evans.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8115-, President Nixon attending a meeting of of the President's Commission on Financial Structure and Regulation. 12/22/1971, Washington, D.C. White House. President Nixon, Under Secretary of the Treasury, Paul Volcker (Acting Secretary), Peter M. Flanigan, George P. Shultz, Reed O. Hunt, Morris D. Crawford, JR. Morgan C. Earnest, William D. Grant, Alan Greenspan, Walter s. Holmes, Jr., Rex J. Morthland, William H. Morton, Ellmore C. Patterson, K.A. Randall, Dr. Donald Jacobs, Dr. Almarin Phillips, Mr. Allen R. Rule, Mr. Henry Shine, Jr., Clarence Scruggs, Mr. James Lynch, Mr. Edward J. Gannon.

    Roll WHPO-8116 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-8116-, Christmas decorations and furniture in the Green room at White House. 12/22/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, Green Room.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8116-13A, The Red room at White House. 12/22/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, Green Room.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8116-18A, Christmas decorations and furniture in the Green room at White House. 12/22/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, Green Room.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8116-22A, Decorated Christmas tree in an oval room on display at the White House. 12/22/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, Green Room.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8116-29A, A white room with Christmas decorations, china shelves, and a floral circular carpet. The Howard Chandler Christy portrait painting of First Lady Grace Coolidge and her dog Rob Roy hangs facing the china cabinet. 12/22/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, Green Room.

    Roll WHPO-8117 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-8117-, William Timmons and Family in front of the Christmas tree. 12/22/1971, Washington, D.C. White House. William Timmons and Family.

  • 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.

    G - Cabinet Officer Briefings

    • WHCA-SR-G-147
      Briefing by cabinet secretaries Rogers Morton (Interior), George Romney (Housing and Urban Development), Elliot Richardson (Health, Education and Welfare) and John A. Volpe (Transportation). (12/22/1971, Room 162, EOB)

      Production credits: Audio feed supplied by WHCA; Recorded by RWF (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-4907
      "Martin Agronsky: Evening Edition". Dr. Robert Butler.
      Undetermined
      Runtime: 00:29:51
    • WHCA-4911
      Weekly News Summary, Tape II.
      ALL NETWORKS
      Runtime: 1:00

      1. Utley/Levine: Price Board decision on rent increases. Time Code Start: 00:00. Keywords: wage and price controls, freezes, prices, costs, increases, decreases, economy, economics, budgets, finances, recession, inflation, money, rents, housing. Network: NBC.

      2. Utley/Mastermann: United Nations (U.N.) appoints Kurt Walheim Secretary General. Time Code Start: 02:52. Keywords: appointments, confirmations, leaders, organization of nations, intergovernmental alliance, appointments, confirmations. Network: NBC.

      3. Utley/Briggs: Olathe, Kansas brings home GI's for Christmas. Time Code Start: 05:46. Keywords: Vietnam War, military, Armed Forces, troops, holidays, Christmas. Network: NBC.

      4. Utley: Pentagon Christmas party for POW families. Time Code Start: 08:29. Keywords: United States Department of Defense headquarters, Armed Forces, Vietnam War, Vietnam Prisoner of War, holidays, famlies, celebrations, Christmas. Network: NBC.

      5. Utley: Peace group releases names of 19 POWs. Time Code Start: 09:57. Keywords: Paris Peace Talks, Vietnam War, Vietnam Prisoner of War, treaty, treaties, negotiations. Network: NBC.

      6. Brinkley: Commentary on Congress members who are rarely present to vote. Time Code Start: 11:18. Keywords: House of Representatives, absentee voters, voting. Network: NBC.

      7. Utley/Kiker: White House releases paper on President Nixon's accomplishments; commentary on Presidential trips. Time Code Start: 13:24. Keywords: Presidents, travel, trips, Nixon trips, international. Network: NBC.

      8. Cronkite/Schorr: Administration believes inflation will be stopped within the year. Time Code Start: 17:14. Keywords: economy, economics, budgets, finances, recession, inflation, money, wages, costs, unemployment, prices, reports. Network: CBS.

      9. Cronkite/Hottlett: Kurt Waldheim formally appointed United Nations (U.N.) Secretary General. Time Code Start: 20:48. Keywords: appointments, confirmations, leaders, organization of nations, intergovernmental alliance, appointments, leaders, Ambassadors. Network: CBS.

      10. Cronkite/Shoumacher: Gilligan endorses Muskie. Time Code Start: 23:16. Keywords: Senators, Presidential elections, campaigns, campaigning, candidates. Network: CBS.

      11. Cronkite/Jones: Secret U.S. installations in Southeast Asia. Time Code Start: 25:02. Keywords: Asian, military, bases, Indochina, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, and Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia, East Timor, Indonesia, Brunei, Singapore. Network: CBS.

      12. Cronkite: Peace group releases names of 18 POWs. Time Code Start: 31:29. Keywords: Vietnam War, Vietnam Prisoner of War, lists, releases. Network: CBS.

      13. Sevareid: Commentary on President Nixon summit trips. Time Code Start: 32:35. Keywords: Presidents, travel, trips, Nixon trips, international, summits, meetings, SALT, S.A.L.T., Strategic Arms Limitation Talks, Russia, Soviet Union, USSR, Cold War, détente. Network: CBS.

      14. Smith/Donaldson: Price Board decisions. Time Code Start: 35:00. Keywords: wage and price controls, freezes, prices, costs, increases, decreases, economy, economics, budgets, finances, recession, inflation, money. Network: ABC.

      15. Smith: 30 page review of President Nixon's 1971 administration released. Time Code Start: 37:23. Keywords: Presidents, annual reports, summaries, history, retrospectives, reviews. Network: ABC.

      16. Smith/Reynolds: Muskie in Ohio. Time Code Start: 38:18. Keywords: Senators, Presidential elections, campaigns, campaigning, candidates. Network: ABC.

      17. Reasoner/Johnson: North Vietnamese release 1001 POW letters before Christmas, 18 from men held by Viet Cong in South Vietnam. Time Code Start: 40:16. Keywords: Vietnam War, Vietnam Prisoner of War, military, troops, mail, writings, messages. Network: ABC.

      18. Reasoner/Petterson: Christmas party at Pentagon for POW families. Time Code Start: 42:40. Keywords: United States Department of Defense headquarters, Armed Forces, Vietnam War, Vietnam Prisoner of War, holidays, famlies, celebrations, Christmas. Network: ABC.

      19. Smith: Commentary on Women's Liberation as unnecessary cause, cites predominance of women voters at polls, business women executive leaders. Time Code Start: 44:31. Keywords: Feminism, Feminist movement, women's rights, Womens Liberation, equality, equal rights, gender, civil rights, activists, women, activists, special interest groups. Network: ABC.

Context (External Sources)