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December 6, 1973

Introduction

This almanac page for Thursday, December 6, 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: Wednesday, December 5, 1973

Next Date: Friday, December 7, 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.

  • The Congressional Record is the official daily record of the debates and proceedings of the U.S. Congress.

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. XXV, Arab-Israeli Crisis and War, 1973

    Arab-Israeli Crisis and War, 1973

    Vol. XXVII, Iran; Iraq, 1973-1976

    Iran, September 1973-November 1974

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

    Issues of Representation in International Organizations

    • 61. Telegram 238679 From the Department of State to Certain Diplomatic Posts, December 6, 1973, 0109Z., December 6, 1973, 0109Z

      The Department expressed appreciation for the role posts and foreign governments played in the successful postponement of the Cambodian representation question until the 29th United Nations General Assembly.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files. Confidential. Drafted by Kimball, Krebs, and Stull; cleared in draft by McNutt and Antippas; and approved by Herz. Repeated to USUN.

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

    Canada, 1973-1976

    • 108. Memorandum of Conversation, Brussels, December 6, 1973, 2:30-4:00 p.m.

      Summary: Schlesinger and Richardson discussed U.S-Canada air defense, NORAD, ASW, and the conventional forces balance.

      Source: Washington National Records Center, OASD/ISA Files: FRC 330–76–117, 333 Canada 18 Dec 73. Secret. Prepared by Wickham and OASD/ISA European and NATO Affairs Director Brigadier General H. Lobdell; and approved by Hill on December 18. The meeting took place in the Mission to NATO. In telegram 147164 to Ottawa, July 26, the Department requested the Embassy’s assessment of the likely Canadian reaction to a reduction in continental U.S. air defenses and changes to its warning capabilities. (National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 671, Country Files, Europe, Canada, Vol. IV (Jan 73–Jul 74)) In telegram 1839 from Ottawa, August 8, the Embassy replied that the proposed reductions would not affect Canadian willingness “to cooperate in bilateral defense relations. However, any change in level of U.S. support for NORAD is likely to be matched by reduction in level of Canadian support.” (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.

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-E1919 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E1919-05-09, Cabinet meeting. 12/6/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, Cabinet Room.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E1919-10-15, Joint Romanian Signing Ceremony. 12/5/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, Cabinet Room. President Nixon, Nicolae Ceausescu, Robert H. Bork, Claude S. Brinegar, George P. Shultz, William E. Simon, Peter M. Flanigan, Peter J. Brennan, Earl L. Butz, Henry Kissinger, James R. Schlesinger, Caspar W. Weinberger, Frederick B. Dent, Roy L. Ash, Vasile Pungan, Corneliu Bogdan, George Macovescu, Manea Manescu, Constantin Mitea, Mihai Pacepa.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E1919-12, President Nixon and Nicolae Ceausescu, Secretary General of the Romanian Communist Party, signing the Joint Statement of Principles on Economic, Industrial, and Technological Cooperation Between the United States and Romania. 12/5/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, Cabinet Room. President Nixon, Nicolae Ceausescu, Robert H. Bork, Henry Kissinger; present according to the PDD: Claude S. Brinegar, George P. Shultz, William E. Simon, Peter M. Flanigan, Peter J. Brennan, Earl L. Butz, James R. Schlesinger, Caspar W. Weinberger, Frederick B. Dent, Roy L. Ash, Vasile Pungan, Corneliu Bogdan, George Macovescu, Manea Manescu, Constantin Mitea, Mihai Pacepa.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E1919-26-27, Signing Veterans Disability Act and Death Pension Act of 1973. 12/6/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E1919-36, President Nixon sitting at his desk smiling, surrounded by members of the press at the signing of the Veterans Disability Act and Death Pension Act of 1973. 12/6/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon.

    Roll WHPO-E1921 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E1921-02A-28A, Gerald Ford ceremony being sworn-in as Vice-President by Chief Justice Warren Burger. 12/6/1973, Washington, D.C. U.S. House of Representatives Chamber. Gerald Ford, President Nixon, Betty Ford, Warren E. Burger, Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, Senator James O. Eastland {D-Mississippi), President pro tempore of the Senate, unidentified congressional leaders.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E1921-14A, Gerald Ford speaking at the podium after being sworn-in as Vice-President. President Nixon and Betty Ford are sitting nearby. 12/6/1973, Washington, D.C. Capitol Building, U.S. House of Representatives Chamber. Gerald Ford, President Nixon, Betty Ford, Senator James O. Eastland {D-Mississippi), President Pro Tempore of the Senate, unidentified congressional leaders.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E1921-25A, Speaker of the House Carl Albert raising former Congressman Gerald Ford's hand in victory on the day Ford was sworn-in as Vice-President. 12/6/1973, Washington, D.C. Capitol Building, U.S. House of Representatives Chamber. Gerald Ford, Carl B. Albert, Senator James O. Eastland {D-Mississippi), President pro tempore of the Senate, unidentified congressional leaders.

    Roll WHPO-E1922 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E1922-03-36, Gerald Ford ceremony being sworn-in as Vice-President by Chief Justice Warren Burger. 12/6/1973, Washington, D.C. U.S. House of Representatives Chamber. Gerald Ford, President Nixon, Betty Ford, Warren E. Burger, Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, Senator James O. Eastland {D-Mississippi), President pro tempore of the Senate, unidentified congressional leaders.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E1922-21, Gerald Ford being sworn-in as Vice-President while Betty Ford holds the open bible he swears upon. President Nixon standing nearby. Warren E. Burger, Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court administers the oath. 12/6/1973, Washington, D.C. U.S. House of Representatives Chamber. Gerald Ford, President Nixon, Betty Ford, Justice Warren E. Burger, Carl Albert, Senator James O. Eastland {D-Mississippi).
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E1922-30, Gerald Ford standing at the podium, after being sworn-in as Vice-President. Speaker of the House Carl Albert, Senator James O. Eastland and President Nixon applaud nearby. 12/6/1973, Washington, D.C. U.S. House of Representatives Chamber. Gerald Ford, President Nixon, Carl Albert, unidentified congressional leaders.

    Roll WHPO-E1923 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E1923-01-11, President Nixon and Vice-President Gerald Ford during an Oval Office meeting. 12/6/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Gerald Ford.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E1923-03, President Nixon and Vice President Gerald Ford standing in the Oval Office during a meeting. 12/6/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Gerald Ford.

    Roll WHPO-E1924 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E1924-00-02, Television broadcast screen grab photos of Gerald Ford ceremony being sworn-in as Vice-President by Chief Justice Warren Burger. 12/6/1973, Washington, D.C. U.S. House of Representatives Chamber. Gerald Ford, President Nixon, Betty Ford, Warren E. Burger, Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, Senator James O. Eastland {D-Mississippi), President pro tempore of the Senate, unidentified congressional leaders.

    Roll WHPO-E1925 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E1925-04-33, President Nixon and Vice President Gerald Ford in the Oval Office. 12/6/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Gerald Ford.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E1925-13, Closeup head and shoulders shots of President Nixon and Vice President Gerald Ford standing in the Oval Office at the White House. 12/6/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Gerald Ford.

    Roll WHPO-E1926 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E1926-03-23, President Nixon and Vice President Gerald Ford at White House. 12/6/1973, Washington, D.C. White House.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E1926-13A, Vice President Gerald Ford holds his Vice Presidential oath verification documents, while standing near Marine Guards at attention at an open doorway. 12/6/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, doorway. Gerald Ford, unidentified Marine guards.

    Roll WHPO-E1927 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E1927-03-06, Vice President Gerald Ford at White House. 12/6/1973, Washington, D.C. White House.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E1927-05, Vice President Gerald Ford holds his Vice Presidential oath verification documents, while standing near Marine Guards at attention at an open doorway. 12/6/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, doorway. Gerald Ford.

    Roll WHPO-E1928 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E1928-04-25, President Nixon and Vice President Gerald Ford at White House. 12/6/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Gerald Ford.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E1928-14, President Nixon and Vice President Gerald Ford standing in the Oval Office reading official documents. 12/6/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Gerald Ford.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E1928-16, President Nixon and Vice President Gerald Ford standing in the Oval Office holding official documents and smiling. 12/6/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Gerald Ford.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E1928-20, President Nixon and Vice President Gerald Ford standing in the Oval Office shaking hands. 12/6/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Gerald Ford.

  • 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-255
      Swearing-in ceremony of Gerald Ford - House Chamber, U.S. Capitol Bldg./Burger & C. Albert. (12/6/1973)

      Runtime: 10:51

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

    P - Formal Presidential Remarks

    • WHCA-SR-P-731207
      Remarks by President Nixon at signing of HR 9474. (12/6/1973)

      Runtime: 4:30

      Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.
    • WHCA-SR-P-731208
      Photo opportunity with GRF. (12/6/1973)

      Runtime: 1:10

      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-398
      Press briefing by Gerald Warren. (12/6/1973, White House Press Lobby)

      Runtime: 41:10:00

      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-399
      Press briefing by Secretary of State Henry A. Kissinger. (12/6/1973, State Department)

      Runtime: 55:00:00

      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-400
      Press pool report on photo opportunity during signing of bill HR-9474. (12/6/1973, White House Press Lobby)

      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-401
      Swearing-in of Gerald Ford as Vice President, with Speaker of the House of Representative Carl Albert, and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Warren Burger. (12/6/1973, House Chamber of the U.S. Capitol Building)

      Runtime: 10:51

      Keywords: ceremonies

      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-6689
      "The Advocates". Bruce Herschensohn.
      Metromedia
      Runtime: 01:28:14
    • WHCA-6690
      Vice President Gerald Ford's Swearing-In Ceremony.
      Post-Newsweek Stations, Inc.
      Runtime: 00:33:22
    • WHCA-6695
      Weekly News Summary, Tape II.
      ALL NETWORKS
      Runtime: 1:30

      19. Reasoner/Clark: Congress votes on Gerald Ford for Vice President; Vice President Ford sworn in. Time Code Start: 38:08. Keywords: Vice Presidents, appointments, nominations, investigations, voting, swearing in ceremony. Network: ABC.

      20. Geer: Synopsis on how Vice President Gerald Ford spent the day. Time Code Start: 41:44. Keywords: Vice Presidents, appointments, investigations, swearing in. Network: ABC.

      21. Smith: Wholesale price index up. Time Code Start: 43:43. Keywords: wage and price controls, freezes, prices, costs, increases, decreases, economy, economics, budgets, finances, recession, inflation, money. Network: ABC.

      22. Smith/Peterson: Energy commission leader William Simon questioned by Senators Muskie and Jackson. Time Code Start: 44:28. Keywords: cabinet, advisors, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, petroleum, oil, gasoline, fuel, shortages, rationing, natural resources, energy. Network: ABC.

      23. Reasoner/Schoumacher: General Haig questioned by Judge Sirica on the White House tapes (Watergate). Time Code Start: 45:29. Keywords: bugging, bugs, wiretapping, wire taps, surveillance, spying, recordings, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, scandals. Network: ABC.

      24. Reasoner: Secretary of State Kissinger talks about Middle East talks of peace. Time Code Start: 47:38. Keywords: Middle East, Mideast, war, cabinet, advisors, peace, truce, treaties, negotiations. Network: ABC.

      25. Chancellor: Vice President Gerald Ford's swearing in with short segment on Ford. Time Code Start: 48:37. Keywords: Vice Presidents, appointments, investigations, swearing in. Network: NBC.

      26. Chancellor/Nessen/Brokaw: More on Vice President Gerald Ford's swearing in. Time Code Start: 52:45. Keywords: Vice Presidents, appointments, investigations, swearing in. Network: NBC.

      27. Chancellor/Kiker: What former Vice President Agnew is doing now. Time Code Start: 55:39. Keywords: Vice Presidents, resignations, terminations, taxes, investments, investigations, hearings, careers, jobs, unemployment. Network: NBC.

      28. Chancellor/Stern: former FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover's secret war against leftist groups. Time Code Start: 56:59. Keywords: Federal Bureau of Investigations, leaders, surveillance, spying, persecutions, vendettas, activists, left-wing, civil rights, anti-war movement, environmental movement. Network: NBC.

      29. Chancellor/Morton: General Haig returns to court to testify about 18 minutes missing from the White House tapes. Time Code Start: 59:16. Keywords: bugging, bugs, wiretapping, wire taps, surveillance, spying, recordings, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, scandals. Network: NBC.

      30. Chancellor/Levine: Senate hearings on energy with William Simon. Time Code Start: 61:15. Keywords: cabinet, advisors, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, petroleum, oil, gasoline, fuel, shortages, rationing, natural resources, energy. Network: NBC.

      31. Chancellor: Middle East talks. Time Code Start: 63:10. Keywords: Middle East, Mideast, war, peace, truce, treaties, negotiations. Network: NBC.

      32. Chancellor: more on the personal side of Vice President Gerald Ford. Time Code Start: 63:44. Keywords: Vice Presidents, appointments, nominations, investigations. Network: NBC.

      33. Cronkite/Morton: Vice President Gerald Ford's swearing in and indoctrination by some officials. Time Code Start: 66:07. Keywords: Vice Presidents, appointments, investigations, swearing in. Network: CBS.

      34. Cronkite/Benton: Senate hearings on energy with William Simon. Time Code Start: 70:04. Keywords: cabinet, advisors, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, petroleum, oil, gasoline, fuel, shortages, rationing, natural resources, energy. Network: CBS.

      35. Cronkite/Kalb: Ceasefire violations in Middle East and meeting in Washington, D.C. with Secretary of State Kissinger's news conference. Time Code Start: 71:56. Keywords: cabinet, advisors, media, press conferences, news conferences, interviews, Middle East, Mideast, war, ceasefires. Network: CBS.

      36. Cronkite/Graham: General Haig testifies about missing 18 minutes on the White House tapes. Time Code Start: 74:28. Keywords: bugging, bugs, wiretapping, wire taps, surveillance, spying, recordings, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, scandals. Network: CBS.

      37. Cronkite/McNamara: The Brownsville affair; President Nixon signs benefits bill. Time Code Start: 76:12. Keywords: bills, laws, signings, signing ceremony, reimbursements, African Americans, Buffalo Soldiers, military, libel, false evidence, shootings, dishonorable discharges, accusations, racism, racial profiling, racial discrimination, civil rights. Network: CBS.

      38. Sevareid: Commentary on Vice President Gerald Ford's swearing in as Vice President. Time Code Start: 77:56. Keywords: Vice Presidents, appointments, investigations, swearing in. Network: CBS.

Context (External Sources)