1. Home
  2. Research
  3. Almanac

December 26, 1973

Introduction

This almanac page for Wednesday, December 26, 1973, 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 25, 1973

Next Date: Thursday, December 27, 1973

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 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.

  • 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. XV, Soviet Union, June 1972-August 1974

    The October Arab-Israeli War and Kissinger's Trip to Moscow, July 1973-January 1974

    Vol. XXV, Arab-Israeli Crisis and War, 1973

    Arab-Israeli Crisis and War, 1973

    Vol. XXXVI, Energy Crisis, 1969-1974

    October 6, 1973-March 22, 1974

    Vol. E-11, Part 2, Documents on South America, 1973-1976

    Uruguay

    • 339. Telegram 3712 From the Embassy in Uruguay to the Department of State, Montevideo, December 26, 1973, 1957Z

      Summary: Ambassador Siracusa reported on his December 26 conversation with President Bordaberry, who argued that the United States should not interpret events in Uruguay to mean that a military government had been established. He said that he and other leaders had chosen to try to end stagnation and to save Uruguay’s democratic institutions, which, “as they operated, were themselves the real threat to democracy in Uruguay.”

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, [no film number]. Limited Official Use. Repeated to Southcom. Siracusa presented his credentials on September 25. In telegram 3341 from Montevideo, November 12, the Embassy outlined the Bordaberry administration’s policies in the four months since the Congress had been closed. It noted that Bordaberry had often allied himself “with the so-called hardliners,” and that the President and military leaders together had “proclaimed in often messianic terms that they are saving Uruguay” and were “drawing the line for a new morality and new approach to the country’s problems.” (Ibid.)

    Vol. E-14, Part 1, Documents on the United Nations, 1973-1976

    United Nations Affairs

    • 10. Telegram 250151 From the Department of State to All Diplomatic Posts, December 26, 1973, 2137Z., December 26, 1973, 2137Z

      The Department assessed how well the United Sates achieved its goals during the 28th United Nations General Assembly and outlined issues likely to arise at the 29th General Assembly.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files. Confidential. Drafted by Schaller and other IO staff members; cleared by McNutt, Monsma, Schiff, Walker, Goott, Bettauer, Morey, and in ACDA; and approved by Popper. Kissinger’s September 24 address to the United Nations is scheduled for publication in Foreign Relations, 1969–1976, volume XXXVIII, Foundations and Organization of Foreign Policy, 1973–1976.

    Vol. E-15, Part 1, Documents on Eastern Europe, 1973-1976

    German Democratic Republic—Berlin

    • 90. Airgram A-291 From the Mission in West Berlin to the Department of State and the Embassy in Federal Republic of Germany, December 26, 1973.

      The Mission provided its annual policy assessment for 1973 and noted several aspects of the implementation of the Quadripartite Agreement.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970-1973, POL 1 GER B-US. Secret; Noforn. Drafted on December 21 by Seligmann, Greenwald, Bodde, Chapman, Thyden, and Root and cleared by USCOB, POLAD, EAS, and USIS; and approved by Klein. Repeated to London, Moscow, NATO, Paris, CINCEUR for POLAD, CINCUSAFE for POLAD, CINCUSAREUR for POLAD, USELMLO/Casteau, Bremen, DÜsseldorf, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Munich, and Stuttgart. Klein signed DK above his typeset signature.

  • 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-E2034 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2034-04A-16A, President Nixon seated at his Oval Office desk during a meeting with Soviet Ambassador Anatoly Dobrynin and Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, discussing the Geneva Conference on the Middle East. A photographer films with a movie camera nearby. 12/26/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Anatoly F. Dobrynin, Henry A. Kissinger, unidentified members of the press.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2034-05A, President Nixon seated at his Oval Office desk during a meeting with Soviet Ambassador Anatoly Dobrynin and Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, discussing the Geneva Conference on the Middle East. A photographer films with a movie camera nearby. 12/26/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Anatoly F. Dobrynin, Henry A. Kissinger, unidentified member of the press.

    Roll WHPO-E2036 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2036-04-11, President Nixon during a meeting with William Simon and John Sawhill met to discuss energy matters. 12/26/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, William E. Simon, John C. Sawhill.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2036-13-30, President Nixon during a meeting with Governor Malcolm Wilson, former New York Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller, and Kenneth R. Cole, Jr., Executive Director of the Domestic Council. 12/26/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Governor Malcom Wilson, Nelson A. Rockefeller, Kenneth R. Cole, Jr.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2036-15A, President Nixon seated informally during a meeting with Governor Malcolm Wilson and former New York Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller in the Oval Office. 12/26/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Governor Malcom Wilson, Nelson A. Rockefeller.

    Roll WHPO-E2037 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2037-, President Nixon sitting at his Oval Office desk during a meeting with William Simon. 12/26/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, William E. Simon.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2037-06A, President Nixon sitting at his Oval Office desk during a meeting with William Simon. 12/26/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, William E. Simon.

    Roll WHPO-E2046 Photographer: Ziegler, Ron | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2046-, President Nixon speaking with airline crew and passengers while traveling on a United Airlines commercial flight from Dulles International Airport in Washington, D. C. to Los Angeles International Airport. (UAL Flight 55, per NBC news story from 1973). 12/26/1973, United Airlines plane. President Nixon, airplane crew, unidentified passengers.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2046-, President Nixon speaking with airline crew and passengers while traveling on a United Airlines commercial flight from Dulles International Airport in Washington, D. C. to Los Angeles International Airport. (UAL Flight 55, per NBC news story from 1973). 12/26/1973, United Airlines plane. President Nixon, airplane crew, unidentified passengers.

  • 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.

    P - Formal Presidential Remarks

    • WHCA-SR-P-731222
      Remarks by President Nixon in Photo Opportunity with Nelson Rockefeller and Malcolm Wilson. (12/26/1973)

      Runtime: 1:35

      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-425
      Press briefing by Gerald Warren. (12/26/1973, White House Press Lobby)

      Runtime: 34:50:00

      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-6717
      Weekly News Summary, Tape I.
      ALL NETWORKS
      Runtime: 1:30

      24. Reasoner/Geer: President Nixon flies to California on a United Airlines flight. Time Code Start: 58:20. Keywords: Presidents, travel, trips, Nixon trips, domestic, flights, aviation industry, commercial airlines, aircraft, planes, jets, airliners. Network: ABC.

      25. Reasoner/Landay: Russian Ambassador meets with President Nixon (film). Time Code Start: 58:55. Keywords: Soviet Union, USSR, Presidents, Ambassadors, officials, meetings. Network: ABC.

      26. Reasoner: Commentary on Mao Tse-tung. Time Code Start: 60:05. Keywords: People's Republic of China, leaders. Network: ABC.

      27. Chancellor: President Nixon flies by a United Airlines commercial flight to California. Time Code Start: 62:23. Keywords: Presidents, travel, trips, Nixon trips, domestic, domestic flights, aviation industry, commercial airlines, aircraft, planes, jets, airliners. Network: NBC.

      28. Chancellor/Brokaw: President Nixon meets with William Simon (film). Time Code Start: 63:26. Keywords: Presidents, cabinet, advisors, meetings,. Network: NBC.

      29. Levine: U.S. still receiving Arab oil. Time Code Start: 65:36. Keywords: Arabian, Arabs, Middle East, Mideast, meetings, energy, petroleum, drilling, oil supply, oil supplies, imports. Network: NBC.

      30. Chancellor/Burrington: Geneva, Switzerland peace talks; President Nixon meets with Russian Ambassador. Time Code Start: 67:00. Keywords: Soviet Union, USSR, Presidents, Ambassadors, officials, meetings. Network: NBC.

      31. Chancellor/Hager/Neal: Economic impact of energy crisis in New Stanton, Pennsylvania and Lockheed Company in California. Time Code Start: 70:05. Keywords: economy, economics, budgets, finances, recession, inflation, money, wages, costs, unemployment, prices, reports. Network: NBC.

      32. Mudd/Pierpoint: President Nixon meets with William Simon on gas rationing. Time Code Start: 74:45. Keywords: cabinet, advisors, energy, petroleum, oil, gasoline, fuel, shortages, rationing, natural resources, energy. Network: CBS.

      33. Mudd: President Nixon flies to California on a United Airlines commercial plane flight. Time Code Start: 76:15. Keywords: Presidents, travel, trips, Nixon trips, domestic, flights, aviation industry, commercial airlines, aircraft, planes, jets, airliners. Network: CBS.

      34. Mudd/Dandridge: Gas shortage and gas gouging in New York. Time Code Start: 76:46. Keywords: energy crisis, petroleum, oil supply, gasoline, fuel, shortages, rationing. Network: CBS.

      35. Mudd/Krauss: Stock market reaction to Arab oil price increases. Time Code Start: 79:55. Keywords: stock markets, investments, securities, Wall Street, Dow Jones, New York Stock Exchange, NASDAQ, Arabian, Arabs, Middle East, Mideast, energy, petroleum, drilling, oil supply, oil supplies, imports, costs, prices, increases. Network: CBS.

      36. Mudd/Collingswood: Geneva peace talks. Time Code Start: 81:22. Keywords: Middle East, Mideast, Switzerland, Arab Israeli war, peace, truce, treaties, negotiations, conferences. Network: CBS.

      37. Mudd/Fenton: Israel's election and impact on peace talks. Time Code Start: 83:30. Keywords: Middle East, Mideast, Israeli, elections, war, Prime Ministers, truces, treaty, treaties, negotiations. Network: CBS.

      38. Mudd: GOP (Republican) and the dairy association; Senator Gurney and campaign finances investigation. Time Code Start: 85:50. Keywords: Republicans, Republican Party, elections, campaigns. Network: CBS.

      39. Mudd/Star: Power company and death of two people in New York. Time Code Start: 87:20. Keywords: utilities, businesses, organizations, deaths, investigations. Network: CBS.

Context (External Sources)