December 24, 1969

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.

Addresses and Remarks

• The Vice President's Trip to Asia (5 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 1785, December 24, 1969)
  The President's Remarks at a News Briefing on Vice President Agnew's Forthcoming Trip.

Announcements

• Duties on Chemicals (5 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 1784, December 24, 1969)
  Announcement of Signing of Proclamation Interrupting Certain Duty Reductions Negotiated in the Kennedy Round.

Proclamations

• Duties on Chemicals (5 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 1784, December 24, 1969)
  Proclamation 3950.
• Imports of Sheet Glass (6 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 4, December 24, 1969)
  Proclamation 3951.

Statements by the President

• Interest, Credit, and Lending (5 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 1785, December 24, 1969)
  Statement by the President Upon Signing S. 2577.

Acts Approved by the President

• H.J. Res. 10 -- Public Law 91-163
  Joint Resolution authorizing the President to proclaim the second week of March, 1970, as Volunteers of America Week.
• H.R. 210 -- Public Law 91-154
  An Act to eliminate requirements for disclosure of construction details on passenger vessels meeting prescribed safety standards, and for other purposes.
• H.R. 2208 -- Private Law 91-66
  An Act for the relief of James Hideakl Buck.
• H.R. 4244 -- Public Law 91-164
  An Act to raise the ceiling on appropriations of the Administrative Conference of the United States.
• H.R. 4560 -- Private Law 91-67
  An Act for the relief of Sa Cha Bae.
• H.R. 5133 -- Private Law 91-68
  An Act for the relief of Pagona Anomerianaki.
• H.R. 6600 -- Private Law 91-69
  An Act for the relief of Panagiotis, Georgia, and Constantlna Malliaras.
• H.R. 7491 -- Public Law 91-156
  An Act to clarify the liability of national banks for certain taxes.
• H.R. 10156 -- Private Law 91-70
  An Act for the relief of Lidia Mendola.
• H.R. 11503 -- Private Law 91-71
  An Act for the relief of Wylo Pleasant, doing business as Pleasant Western Lumber Company (now known as Pleasant's Logging and Milling, Incorporated).
• H.R. 11711 -- Public Law 91-157
  An Act to amend section 510 of the International Claims Settlement Act of 1949 to extend the time within which the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission is required to complete its affairs in connection with the settlement of claims against the Government of Cuba.
• H.R. 12964 -- Public Law 91-153
  Departments of State, Justice, and Commerce, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriation Act, 1970.
• H.R. 14916 -- Public Law 91-155
  District of Columbia Appropriation Act, 1970.
• S. 1108 -- Public Law 91-162
  An Act to waive the acreage limitations of section 1(b) of the Act of June 14, 1926, as amended, with respect to conveyance of lands to the State of Nevada for inclusion in the Valley of Fire State Park.
• S. 2734 -- Public Law 91-159
  An Act granting the consent of Congress to the Connecticut-New York Railroad Passenger Transportation Compact.
• S. 2864 -- Public Law 91-152
  Housing and Urban Development Act of 1969.
• S. 3169 -- Public Law 91-161
  An Act to amend the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, and for other purposes.
• S.J. Res. 54 -- Public Law 91-158
  Joint Resolution consenting to an extension and renewal of the interstate compact to conserve oil and gas.
• S.J. Res. 90 -- Public Law 91-160
  Joint Resolution to enable the United States to organize and hold a diplomatic conference in the United States in fiscal year 1970 to negotiate a Patent Cooperation Treaty and authorize an appropriation therefor.

Checklist of White House Press Releases

The releases listed below, made public by the Office of the White House Press Secretary during the period covered by this issue, are not included in the issue.

• Press conference of Dr. Jean Mayer, Special Consultant to the President, Edward J. Hekman, Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service, Department of Agriculture, and John R. Price, Executive Secretary, Council for Urban Affairs, on the report of the White House Conference on Food, Nutrition, and Health.
• Press conference of Vice President Spiro T. Agnew on his forthcoming trip to Asia.

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 on Signing a Bill Affecting Interest, Credit, and Lending.
• Remarks at a News Briefing on Vice President Agnew's Forthcoming Trip to Asia.
• Proclamation 3951—Further Extension of Remaining Increased Duties on Imports of Sheet Glass
• Proclamation 3950—Proclamation Interrupting Duty Reductions on Certain Chemicals

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 Wednesday, December 24, 1969

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)
• 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

• Text search for December 24, 1969
• Date search for December 24, 1969

All National Archives Units

• Text search for December 24, 1969
• Date search for December 24, 1969

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 24 December 1969

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. I, Foundations of Foreign Policy, 1969-1972

Foundations of Foreign Policy, 1969-1972

• 48. Memorandum From Secretary of State Rogers to President Nixon, Washington, December 24, 1969

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 325, Subject Files, President’s Annual Review of U.S. Foreign Policy. Confidential.

Vol. IV, Foreign Assistance, International Development, Trade Policies, 1969-1972

Foreign Assistance Policy, 1969-1972

• 19. Memorandum From Secretary of Defense Laird to the President Nixon, Washington, December 24, 1969

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Agency Files, Box 223, Department of Defense, Volume V 12/1/69-1/31/70. Secret.

East-West Trade, 1969-1972

• 310. Information Memorandum From C. Fred Bergsten of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) , Washington, December 24, 1969

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Agency Files, Box 213, Commerce, Volume I 1970. Limited Official Use. A stamped notation, dated January 12, 1970, reads: “HAK has seen.”

Vol. XII, Soviet Union, January 1969-October 1970

Expansion of the Kissinger-Dobrynin Channel and Further Discussions on the Middle East, December 11, 1969-July 28, 1970

• 109. Telegram From the Department of State to Certain Posts, Washington, December 24, 1969, 0034Z

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 711, Country Files, Europe, USSR, Vol. VI. Secret; Priority; Nodis. Drafted by Dubs on December 23; cleared by Brown (S/S) and Okun (S); and approved by Sisco. Sent to USUN, USINT Cairo, Amman, Beirut, Jidda, Kuwait, Tel Aviv, London, Paris, Moscow, Bucharest, Rabat, Tunis.

• 110. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon, Washington, December 24, 1969

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 489, President’s Trip Files, Dobrynin/Kissinger, 1969, Part 1. Top Secret; Sensitive; Nodis. Sent for action. A notation on the memorandum indicates the President saw it.

Vol. XX, Southeast Asia, 1969-1972

Thailand

• 41. Memorandum From John H. Holdridge of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) , Washington, December 24, 1969

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 560, Country Files, Far East, Thailand, Vol. II. Top Secret; Umbra. Sent for information. Two notations in Kissinger’s handwriting read: “Let me call Allen tomorrow” and “Please move on this. HK”

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

The Rogers Plan

• 80. Telegram From the Department of State to Certain Diplomatic Posts , Washington, December 24, 1969, 0043Z

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 1169, Saunders Files, Middle East Negotiations Files, Middle East Settlement—US–USSR Talks. Secret; Exdis. Drafted by Sisco and Atherton and approved by Sisco. Sent to Amman, Beirut, Cairo, Jidda, Kuwait, Tel Aviv, London, Paris, Moscow, USUN, Bucharest, and Rabat.

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

U.S.-North African Policy

• 3. Intelligence Note 876 From the Director of the Bureau of Intelligence and Research (Hughes) to Secretary of State Rogers, Washington, December 24, 1969

  Hughes reported that, although the Fifth Arab Summit Conference at Rabat ended in disunity and disarray, recent U.S. peace initiatives in the Middle East, including Secretary of State Rogers’ December 9 speech and the surfacing of U.S. proposals for an Israel-Jordan peace, had been well received.
  
  Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, POL 7 ARAB SUMMIT. Secret; Noforn. On December 16, Rogers had recommended that President Nixon send a message to King Hassan supporting his moderate position at Summit. (Ibid., POL 15–1 MOR). Yet on December 19, when President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs Kissinger provided Nixon with a requested list of steps taken to bolster moderate Arab leaders at the Rabat summit, he omitted Rogers’ recommendation and draft letter to Hassan. (Ibid., Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 1243, Saunders Files, Morocco, 1/20/69–12/31/69)

Vol. E-10, Documents on American Republics, 1969-1972

Guatemala

• 326. Intelligence Note 873 From the Deputy Director of the Bureau of Intelligence and Research (Denney) to Secretary of State Rogers, Washington, December 24, 1969. , Washington, December 24, 1969

  The Bureau of Intelligence and Research (INR) reported on increased terrorism in Guatemala and guerrilla efforts to undermine presidential elections.
  
  Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, POL 23–8 GUAT. Secret; No Foreign Dissem. In telegram 5253 from Guatemala City, December 18, the Embassy reported establishment of a state of siege in the wake of the FAR assassination of prominent “rightist” David Guerra Guzmán. (Ibid.)

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.

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-2696 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-2696-01A-15A, President Nixon and Vice President Agnew at a briefing discussing Vice President Agnew's forthcoming trip to Asia. A map is visible showing his route prominently in the background. 12/24/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Roosevelt Room. President Nixon, Spiro Agnew, press corps members.
• Frame(s): WHPO-2696-09A, President Nixon and Vice President Agnew at a briefing discussing Vice President Agnew's forthcoming trip to Asia. Nixon is pointing at a large map showing the Vice President's route through Asia. 12/24/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Roosevelt Room. President Nixon, Spiro Agnew, press corps members.
• Frame(s): WHPO-2696-16A-26A, President Nixon and Vice President Agnew at a briefing discussing Vice President Agnew's forthcoming trip to Asia. A map is visible showing his route prominently in the background. 12/24/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Roosevelt Room. President Nixon, Spiro Agnew, press corps members.

Roll WHPO-2697 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-2697-, President Nixon and Vice President Agnew at a briefing discussing Vide President Agnew's forthcoming trip to Asia. A map is visible showing his route prominently in the background. 12/24/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Roosevelt Room. President Nixon, Spiro Agnew, press corps members.
• Frame(s): WHPO-2697-, President Nixon and Vice President Agnew at a briefing discussing Vide President Agnew's forthcoming trip to Asia. A map is visible showing his route prominently in the background. 12/24/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Roosevelt Room. President Nixon, Spiro Agnew, press corps members.

Roll WHPO-2698 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-2698-, President Nixon seated informally during a meeting with Robert Finch, Robert Mayo, John Ehrlichman, James Schlesinger, James Beggs, Donald Rumsfeld, and Russell Train. 12/24/1969, Washington, D.C. Executive Office Building, Presidential Office (EOB). President Nixon, Robert Finch, Robert Mayo, John Ehrlichman, James Schlesinger, James Beggs, Donald Rumsfeld, Russell E. Train.
• Frame(s): WHPO-2698-10, President Nixon seated informally during a meeting with Robert Finch, Robert Mayo, John Ehrlichman, James Schlesinger, James Beggs, Donald Rumsfeld, and Russell Train. 12/24/1969, Washington, D.C. Executive Office Building, Presidential Office (EOB). President Nixon, Robert Finch, Robert Mayo, John Ehrlichman, James Schlesinger, James Beggs, Donald Rumsfeld, Russell E. Train.

Roll WHPO-2699 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-2699-33-34, President Nixon walking up the stairway of the Executive Office Building (EOB). 12/24/1969, Washington, D.C. Executive Office Building, (EOB) outside stairway. President Nixon, unidentified men.
• Frame(s): WHPO-2699-35-37, President Nixon seated at his EOB office desk during a meeting with Robert Mayo. 12/24/1969, Washington, D.C. Executive Office Building, Presidential Office. President Nixon, Robert Mayo, unidentified men.

Roll WHPO-2700 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-2700-01-03, Tim Elbourne and Bruce Whelihan working on the map for Vice President Agnew's proposed trip route. 12/24/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Roosevelt Room. President Nixon, Spiro Agnew, Tim Elbourne, Bruce Whelihan, Ziegler, press corps members.
• Frame(s): WHPO-2700-04-07, President Nixon and Vice President Agnew at a briefing discussing Vide President Agnew's forthcoming trip to Asia. A map is visible showing his route prominently in the background. 12/24/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Roosevelt Room. President Nixon, Spiro Agnew, Tim Elbourne, Bruce Whelihan, Ziegler, press corps members.
• Frame(s): WHPO-2700-10-14, President Nixon receiving a plaque from Rep. James Wright. 12/24/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, James Wright.

Roll WHPO-2701 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-2701-, President Nixon and Vice President Agnew at a briefing discussing Vide President Agnew's forthcoming trip to Asia. A map is visible showing his route prominently in the background. 12/24/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Roosevelt Room. President Nixon, Spiro Agnew, press corps members.

Roll WHPO-2702 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-2702-02-21, President Nixon wishing staffers a Merry Christmas. 12/24/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Executive Office Building. President Nixon, unidentified staff.
• Frame(s): WHPO-2702-22-24, President Nixon standing and shaking hands with an unidentified man. 12/24/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, West Wing Colonnade. President Nixon, unidentified man.

Roll WHPO-2703 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-2703-, President Nixon receiving a nutrition report from Dr. Jean Mayer and Edward Morgan. 12/24/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Jean Mayer, Edward Morgan.

Roll WHPO-2704 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-2704-, President Nixon seated with agency heads and staff at a meeting on the budget. 12/24/1969, Washington, D.C. Executive Office Building, Presidential Office. President Nixon, Robert Mayo, Ehrlichman, unidentified others.

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.

B - Vice-Presidential (Agnew and Ford)

• WHCA-SR-B-028
  Remarks to media concerning V.P.'s trip/The President. (12/24/1969)
  
  Runtime: 15:00
  
  Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.

H - White House Staff Member Recordings

• WHCA-SR-H-112
  Press briefing by Jean Mayer, Ronald Ziegler, John Price, and Edward Heckman regarding White House Conference on Food, Nutrition, and Health. (12/24/1969, Roosevelt Room, White House)
  
  Runtime: 0:34:17
  
  Keywords: Food, nutrition, health, hunger, Press conferences, news conferences, interviews, media, press secretary
  
  Production credits: Audio feed supplied by NBC; Recorded by JFH (initials of WHCA engineer)
  
  Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.

P - Formal Presidential Remarks

• WHCA-SR-P-691231
  Remarks by President Nixon and Vice President Agnew to the press regarding Vice President Agnew's trip to Asia. (12/24/1969)
  
  Runtime: 3:14
  
  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-3583
  Weekly News Summary. Richard Nixon, Pierpont, Kaplow, Jarriel.
  All networks
  Runtime: 00:33:00
  
  5. Brinkley: President Nixon says Vice President Agnew's Asian South Pacific Trip, shows map, VP will try to visit Vietnam. Time Code Start: 04:34. Keywords: Vice Presidents, travel, trips, international, Asia, Southeast Asia, Philippines, Vietnam, Taiwan, Australia. Network: NBC.
  
  6. Smith/Jarriel: President Nixon shows map route of Vice President Agnew's Asian South Pacific trip route, Astronaut will accompany Agnew at 1st stop to give sample of Apollo 11 moon dust (moon rocks). Time Code Start: 06:55. Keywords: Vice Presidents, travel, trips, Asia, Southeast Asia, Philippines, Vietnam, Taiwan, Australia, NASA, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, space, astronauts, gifts. Network: ABC.

• New York Times of December 24, 1969

• AP Images photos from December 24, 1969
• Getty Images photos from December 24, 1969

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 1969 Broadcast Index

Wikipedia is a free encyclopedia that anyone can edit.

• December 24, 1969