December 28, 1973

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 San Clemente, California

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.

• Statement on Signing the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act of 1973.
• Statement on Signing a Bill Establishing the Lyndon Baines Johnson Memorial Grove on the Potomac.
• Statement on Signing the Endangered Species Act of 1973.
• Statement on Signing a Bill Authorizing Insured Loans To Provide Nursing Home Fire Safety Equipment.

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 Friday, December 28, 1973

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 28, 1973
• Date search for December 28, 1973

All National Archives Units

• Text search for December 28, 1973
• Date search for December 28, 1973

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 28 December 1973

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. XXV, Arab-Israeli Crisis and War, 1973

Arab-Israeli Crisis and War, 1973

• 422. Letter From President Nixon to Egyptian President Sadat, Washington, December 28, 1973

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Kissinger Office Files, Box 132, Country Files, Middle East, Egypt, Vol. VIII, November 1–December 31, 1973. No classification marking. The President’s letter to Sadat was transmitted in telegram 251343 to Cairo, December 28. (Ibid.)

Vol. XXXIII, SALT II, 1972-1980

SALT II, 1972-1980

• 45. Minutes of a Meeting of the Verification Panel, Washington, December 28, 1973, 10:06-11:41 p.m.

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Institutional Files (H–Files), Box H–108, Verification Panel Minutes, Originals, 3/15/72–6/4/74 [3 of 5]. Top Secret; Nodis; Codeword. The meeting took place in the White House Situation Room.

Vol. XXXVI, Energy Crisis, 1969-1974

October 6, 1973-March 22, 1974

• 273. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Saudi Arabia, Washington, December 28, 1973, 2331Z

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Kissinger Office Files, Box 139, Country Files, Middle East, Saudi Arabia, Dec 73–Feb 74. Secret; Niact; Immediate; Cherokee; Nodis. Drafted by Atherton; cleared by Sisco; and approved by Kissinger.

• 274. Letter From President Nixon to King Faisal of Saudi Arabia, Washington, December 28, 1973

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Kissinger Office Files, Box 139, Country Files, Middle East, Saudi Arabia, Dec 73–Feb 74. Secret. The letter was transmitted in telegram 251342 to Jidda, December 28. (Ibid.) Nixon sent a companion letter to Sadat on December 28, stating his support for Resolution 242, reiterating the recent accomplishments of Kissinger’s trip to the Middle East, and stressing the need to end the embargo. (Ibid., Box 132, Country Files, Middle East, Egypt, Vol. VIII, Nov 1–Dec 31, 1973)

Vol. E-9, Part 2, Documents on the Middle East Region, 1973-1976

Saudi Arabia

• 97. Letter From President Nixon to King Faisal of Saudi Arabia, Washington, December 28, 1973

  Summary: Nixon reviewed the state of Israeli-Arab disengagement negotiations and provided the U.S. position on the Arab oil embargo for King Faisal.
  
  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 761, Presidential Correspondence, 1972–74, Saudi Arabia, Faisal 1972. This letter is also printed in Foreign Relations, 1969–1976, vol. XXXVI, Energy Crisis, 1969–1974, Document 274.

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

Venezuela

• 375. Telegram 11017 From the Embassy in Venezuela to the Department of State, Caracas, December 28, 1973, 2150Z

  Summary: Ambassador McClintock and President-elect Pérez discussed trade matters, in particular petroleum.
  
  Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, [no film number]. Confidential. In telegram 246933 to Caracas, December 19, the Department transmitted a congratulatory message from Nixon to Pérez. (Ibid.)

Vol. E-15, Part 2, Documents on Western Europe, 1973-1976, Second, Revised Edition

Western Europe Regional, 1973-1976

• 46. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for International Economic Affairs (Flanigan) to President Nixon, Washington, December 28, 1973

  Summary: Flanigan discussed the U.S.–EC Article XXIV: 6 negotiations.
  
  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, White House Special Files, Staff Member & Office Files, President’s Office Files, President’s Handwriting File, Box 24, December 16–31, 1973. No classification marking. Sent for action. Attached but not published is Tab A, a December 14 STR paper entitled, “Options for EC–US Negotiations Under GATT Article XXIV–6;” and Tab B, an undated paper entitled, “Substance of Draft Statement on EC Negotiations.” A stamped notation on Flangian’s memorandum indicates the President saw it. Nixon initialed his approval of both recommendations. In telegram 233 from the Mission to the EC, January 14, 1974, the Mission reported that “Soames was dismayed over the size of the US request list.” EC Deputy Director General Hijzen agreed to restart the Geneva negotiations “but, in view of the wide gulf between the parties, he did not know on what basis negotiations could move ahead.” (Ibid., RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files, 1974) In telegram 613 from the Mission in Geneva, January 30, the Mission reported on the resumption of negotiations. (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 can be found in the National Archives Catalog.

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-E2048 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-E2048-, President Nixon and family attend the wedding of Major General Dr. Walter R. Tkach, the President's Physician, to Cheryle Ann Gaillard. 12/28/1973, La Jolla, California Bishop's School Chapel. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Tricia Cox, Maj. Gen. Dr. Walter R. Tkach, Cheryle Ann Gaillard, officiating minister Rev. Robert M. Wolterstorff, Leon Parma, Pres. Of the Board of Trustees of the Bishop's School, Mrs. Parma, and Philip Perkins, Bishop's School headmaster.

Roll WHPO-E2049 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-E2049-02A-03A, President Nixon, Pat Nixon and Tricia Nixon Cox arriving to attend the wedding of Major General Dr. Walter R. Tkach, the President's Physician, to Cheryle Ann Gaillard. Secret Service Agents surround the Nixon family. 12/28/1973, La Jolla, California Bishop's School Chapel. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Tricia Cox, Maj. Gen. Dr. Walter R. Tkach, Mrs. Tkach, officiating minister Rev. Robert M. Wolterstorff, Leon Parma, Pres. Of the Board of Trustees of the Bishop's School, Mrs. Parma, and Philip Perkins, Bishop's School headmaster.
• Frame(s): WHPO-E2049-04A-05A, President Nixon greeting members of the bridal couples family after arriving to attend the wedding of Major General Dr. Walter R. Tkach, the President's Physician, to Cheryle Ann Gaillard. 12/28/1973, La Jolla, California Bishop's School Chapel. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Tricia Cox, Maj. Gen. Dr. Walter R. Tkach, Mrs. Tkach, officiating minister Rev. Robert M. Wolterstorff, Leon Parma, Pres. Of the Board of Trustees of the Bishop's School, Mrs. Parma, and Philip Perkins, Bishop's School headmaster.
• Frame(s): WHPO-E2049-06A-07A, President Nixon and Pat Nixon greeting members of the bridal couples family after arriving to attend the wedding of Major General Dr. Walter R. Tkach, the President's Physician, to Cheryle Ann Gaillard. 12/28/1973, La Jolla, California Bishop's School Chapel. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Tricia Cox, Maj. Gen. Dr. Walter R. Tkach, Mrs. Tkach, officiating minister Rev. Robert M. Wolterstorff, Leon Parma, Pres. Of the Board of Trustees of the Bishop's School, Mrs. Parma, and Philip Perkins, Bishop's School headmaster.
• Frame(s): WHPO-E2049-08A, President Nixon and Tricia Nixon Cox greeting members of the bridal couples family after arriving to attend the wedding of Major General Dr. Walter R. Tkach, the President's Physician, to Cheryle Ann Gaillard. 12/28/1973, La Jolla, California Bishop's School Chapel. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Tricia Cox, Maj. Gen. Dr. Walter R. Tkach, Mrs. Tkach, officiating minister Rev. Robert M. Wolterstorff, Leon Parma, Pres. Of the Board of Trustees of the Bishop's School, Mrs. Parma, and Philip Perkins, Bishop's School headmaster.
• Frame(s): WHPO-E2049-09A-12A, President Nixon, Pat Nixon and Tricia Nixon Cox walk to the church with the bridal couple's family members, to attend the wedding of Major General Dr. Walter R. Tkach, the President's Physician, to Cheryle Ann Gaillard. 12/28/1973, La Jolla, California Bishop's School Chapel. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Tricia Cox, Maj. Gen. Dr. Walter R. Tkach, Mrs. Tkach, officiating minister Rev. Robert M. Wolterstorff, Leon Parma, Pres. Of the Board of Trustees of the Bishop's School, Mrs. Parma, and Philip Perkins, Bishop's School headmaster.
• Frame(s): WHPO-E2049-13A-14A, Major General Dr. Walter R. Tkach, the President's Physician stands with his bride Cheryle Ann Gaillard in the entryway of the Bishop's School Chapel church on their wedding day. 12/28/1973, La Jolla, California Bishop's School Chapel. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Tricia Cox, Maj. Gen. Dr. Walter R. Tkach, Mrs. Tkach, officiating minister Rev. Robert M. Wolterstorff, Leon Parma, Pres. Of the Board of Trustees of the Bishop's School, Mrs. Parma, and Philip Perkins, Bishop's School headmaster.
• Frame(s): WHPO-E2049-15A-19A, President Nixon and Pat Nixon stand with bride Cheryle Ann Gaillard and groom Major General Dr. Walter R. Tkach, the President's Physician on their wedding day. 12/28/1973, La Jolla, California Bishop's School Chapel. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Tricia Cox, Maj. Gen. Dr. Walter R. Tkach, Mrs. Tkach, officiating minister Rev. Robert M. Wolterstorff, Leon Parma, Pres. Of the Board of Trustees of the Bishop's School, Mrs. Parma, and Philip Perkins, Bishop's School headmaster.
• Frame(s): WHPO-E2049-20A-22A, Tricia Nixon Cox congratulates bride Cheryle Ann Gaillard while President Nixon and Pat Nixon stand nearby with groom Major General Dr. Walter R. Tkach, the President's Physician, on their wedding day. 12/28/1973, La Jolla, California Bishop's School Chapel. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Tricia Cox, Maj. Gen. Dr. Walter R. Tkach, Mrs. Tkach, officiating minister Rev. Robert M. Wolterstorff, Leon Parma, Pres. Of the Board of Trustees of the Bishop's School, Mrs. Parma, and Philip Perkins, Bishop's School headmaster.
• Frame(s): WHPO-E2049-23A-25A, President Nixon speaking with a young girl holding the bride's train while bride Cheryle Ann Gaillard looks on. 12/28/1973, La Jolla, California Bishop's School Chapel. President Nixon, an unidentified young girl attendant.
• Frame(s): WHPO-E2049-26A-27A, President Nixon greeting Rev. Robert M. Wolterstorff in the church entrance, while bride Cheryle Ann Gaillard and groom Major General Dr. Walter R. Tkach, the President's Physician, look on. 12/28/1973, La Jolla, California Bishop's School Chapel. President Nixon, Maj. Gen. Dr. Walter R. Tkach, officiating minister Rev. Robert M. Wolterstorff.

Roll WHPO-E2050 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-E2050-, President Nixon and family at the wedding of Major General Dr. Walter R. Tkach, the President's Physician to Cheryle Ann Gaillard. 12/28/1973, La Jolla, California Bishop's School Chapel. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Tricia Cox, Maj. Gen. Dr. Walter R. Tkach, Mrs. Tkach, officiating minister Rev. Robert M. Wolterstorff, pastor of St. James by the Sea, and flower girl.

Roll WHPO-E2051 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-E2051-, Wedding reception for Major General Dr. Walter R. Tkach, President Nixon's Physician and Cheryle Ann Gaillard Tkach. 12/28/1973, La Jolla, California Bishop's School Chapel. Maj. Gen. Dr. Walter R. Tkach, Cheryle Ann Gaillard Tkach, their family including Dr. and Mrs. Ernest Gaillard, Jr., and wedding guests.

Roll WHPO-E2052 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-E2052-, President Nixon and Pat Nixon pose with guests at the wedding reception for Major General Dr. Walter R. Tkach, President Nixon's Physician and Cheryle Ann Gaillard Tkach. 12/28/1973, La Jolla, California Bishop's School Chapel. Maj. Gen. Dr. Walter R. Tkach and Cheryle Ann Gaillard with their family members and guests.

Roll WHPO-E2053 Photographer: | Color or B&W:

• Frame(s): WHPO-E2053-, President Nixon and family attend wedding of Major General Dr. Walter R. Tkach, the President's Physician to Cheryle Ann Gaillard. 12/28/1973, La Jolla, California Bishop's School Chapel. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Tricia Cox, Maj. Gen. Dr. Walter R. Tkach, Cheryle Ann Gaillard, officiating minister Rev. Robert M. Wolterstorff, flower girl, and wedding guests.

Roll WHPO-E2054 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-E2054-, Wedding photos of Major General Dr. Walter R. Tkach, President Nixon's Physician, and Cheryle Ann Gaillard. 12/28/1973, La Jolla, California Bishop's School Chapel. Maj. Gen. Dr. Walter R. Tkach, Cheryle Ann Gaillard, members of the bridal party 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.

P - Formal Presidential Remarks

• WHCA-SR-P-731223
  Remarks by President Nixon at Dr. Walter Tkach's wedding in La Jolla, Cal. (12/28/1973)
  
  Runtime: 3:05
  
  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-427
  Press briefing by Melvin Laird and Secretary of Labor Peter Brennan. (12/28/1973, White House Press Lobby)
  
  Runtime: 43:25:00
  
  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.
• WHCA-SR-S-441
  Briefing by Gerald Warren. (12/28/1973, Western White House)
  
  Runtime: 40:00:00
  
  Keywords: Briefings, public briefings, statements to the press (see also 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-6714
  "Panorama".
  ALL NETWORKS
  Runtime: 00:25:00
• WHCA-6718
  Weekly News Summary, Tape II.
  ALL NETWORKS
  Runtime: 1:30
  
  17. Mudd/Pierpoint: White House is shutting down Project Candor. Time Code Start: 40:21. Keywords: cabinet, advisors, resignations, Watergate, Senate Committee hearings, burglary, impeachment, resignations, investigations. Network: CBS.
  
  18. Mudd: Secretary of Defense Laird says President Nixon is a good guy no matter what the Post says (Washington Post). Time Code Start: 42:15. Keywords: Watergate, hearings, burglary, impeachment, resignations, investigations. Network: CBS.
  
  19. Mudd: New fuel regulations published with William Simon. Time Code Start: 43:56. Keywords: cabinet, advisors, energy crisis, oil crisis, petroleum, oil supply, gasoline, fuel, shortages, rationing, allocations, energy. Network: CBS.
  
  20. Schakne: Fuel allocations and supplies with Walter Heller. Time Code Start: 45:33. Keywords: energy crisis, oil crisis, petroleum, oil supply, gasoline, fuel, shortages, rationing, allocations. Network: CBS.

• New York Times of December 28, 1973

• AP Images photos from December 28, 1973
• Getty Images photos from December 28, 1973

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 1973 Broadcast Index

Wikipedia is a free encyclopedia that anyone can edit.

• December 28, 1973