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February 15, 1972

Introduction

This almanac page for Tuesday, February 15, 1972, 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: Monday, February 14, 1972

Next Date: Wednesday, February 16, 1972

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

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

    Foreign Assistance Policy, 1969-1972

    Vol. VIII, Vietnam, January-October 1972

    Before the Easter Offensive, January 20-March 29, 1972

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

    Preparing for Moscow and Nixon's Trip to China, January 1-March 29, 1972

    • 51. Memorandum of Conversation, Washington, February 15, 1972, 1 p.m.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 493, President’s Trip Files, Dobrynin/Kissinger, 1972, Vol. 9 [Pt. 1]. Top Secret; Sensitive; Eyes Only. The meeting was held in the Soviet Embassy. A notation on the memorandum indicates the President saw it. Kissinger sent a summary of this meeting to the President on March 6. (Ibid.) According to Kissinger’s Record of Schedule, the luncheon meeting was from 1:10 to 3:32 p.m. (Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Kissinger Papers, Box 438, Miscellany, 1968–1976) Sonnenfeldt summarized the state of bilateral affairs for Kissinger’s meeting with Dobrynin in a February 14 memorandum. (National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Kissinger Office Files, Box 67, Country Files, Europe, U.S.S.R., Sonnenfeldt Papers [2 of 2])

    Vol. XVII, China, 1969-1972

    China, October 1971-February 1972

    Vol. E-7, Documents on South Asia, 1969-1972

    Bangladesh, December 1971-December 1972

    • 395. Telegram 26863 From the Department of State to the Mission to the United Nations, Washington, February 15, 1972, 2356Z

      The Department provided policy guidance for the Mission for a meeting called by the Secretary-General on relief for Bangladesh.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, SOC 10 BANGLA DESH. Limited Official Use; Immediate. Drafted by Francis H. Thomas (NEA/PAF); cleared in NEA by Laingen, and Schneider, M. Kathleen Bell (IO/UNP), Frank Wiesner (S/R); and approved by Van Hollen. Repeated to Islamabad, Dacca, and New Delhi. The policy guidance conditioned USUN’s response to Waldheim’s appeal. (Telegram 617 from USUN, February 18; 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

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

    Oval Office

    White House Telephone

  • 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-8417 Photographer: Grove, Andrew | Color or B&W:

    • Frame(s): WHPO-8417-02-24, Dr. Jerome Jaffe seated at his desk. Dr. Jerome Jaffe seated in a chair. 2/15/1972, Washington, D.C. unknown, Executive Office Building. Jerome Jaffe.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8417-24-28, The Exectutive Office Building (EOB) exterior views. 2/15/1972, Washington, D.C. unknown, Executive Office Building. Jerome Jaffe.

    Roll WHPO-8418 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-8418-, Julie Eisenhower addressing members of the Ladies Auxiliary of the National Association of Soil Conservation Districts. Julie receiving red carnations from the president of the group. 2/15/1972, Washington, D.C. White House, East Room. Julie Eisenhower, Mrs. Earl McClellan, auxiliary members.

  • 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.

    D - First Family

    • WHCA-SR-D-026
      Julie Nixon Eisenhower greets the Ladies Auxiliary of the Association of Soil Conservation Districts in the East Room. (2/15/1972, East Room, The White House)

      Runtime: 6:00

      Production credits: Audio feed supplied by WHCA; Recorded by FF (initials of WHCA engineer)

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

    H - White House Staff Member Recordings

    • WHCA-SR-H-520
      Press briefing by black leaders. (2/15/1972, Herb Klein's office)

      Runtime: 1:05:00

      Keywords: Press conferences, news conferences, interviews, media

      Production credits: Audio feed supplied by WHCA; Recorded by JMC (initials of WHCA engineer)

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

    T - China Advance Team

    • WHCA-SR-T-020
      Walker, Chapin, Duval, Elbourne, Swift, Gibbons, Whelihan, Redman, Taylor start 0830 [cont'd T-021]. (2/15/1972)

      Runtime: 68:00:00

      Keywords: People's Republic of China, trips

      Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.
    • WHCA-SR-T-021
      Walker, Chapin, Duval, Elbourne, Swift, Gibbons, Whelihan, Redman, Taylor start 0937 [cont'd from T-020; cont'd T-022]. (2/15/1972)

      Runtime: 34:00:00

      Keywords: People's Republic of China, trips

      Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.
    • WHCA-SR-T-022
      Walker, Chapin, Duval, Elbourne, Swift, Gibbons, Whelihan, Redman, Taylor-start 1018 [cont'd from T-021]. (2/15/1972)

      Runtime: 26:00:00

      Keywords: People's Republic of China, trips

      Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.
    • WHCA-SR-T-023
      Walker, Chapin, start 1840. (2/15/1972)

      Runtime: 48:00:00

      Keywords: People's Republic of China, trips

      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-5058
      "China: Lost and Found". People's Republic of China Clay Whitehead, Office of Telecommunications Policy.
      Eastern Educational Network
      Runtime: 1:00
    • WHCA-5059
      "The Advocates".
      ALL NETWORKS
      Runtime: 1:00
    • WHCA-5060
      "Martin Agronsky: Evening Edition".
      ALL NETWORKS
      Runtime: 00:29:44
    • WHCA-5073
      Weekly News Summary, Tape II.
      ALL NETWORKS
      Runtime: 01:29:44

      5. Report on Attorney General Mitchell's resignation to head Committee to Re-elect the President (CRP) and Richard Kleindienst appointment as attorney general designate/ on camera comments by Kleindienst/ report on opposition to Kleindienst nomination, on ca. Time Code Start: 13:54. Keywords: law officials, cabinet, advisors, nominations, appointments, confirmations,Presidential elections, campaigns, campaigning, candidates, organizations, Senators, media, interviews. Network: ABC.

      6. Report on opposition to Constitutional amendment to stop school busing/ film from White House and black appointees defending President Nixon's civil rights record and "Partners in Progress". Time Code Start: 17:33. Keywords: bills, laws, legislation, African Americans, desegregation, racism, discrimination, schools, students, transportation, reports. Network: ABC.

      7. Film report on school busing boycott in Augusta, Georgia/ Representative Thompson comments. Time Code Start: 19:39. Keywords: bills, laws, legislation, desegregation, racism, racial discrimination, African Americans, schools, students, transportation, boycotts. Network: ABC.

      8. Film report on Senator Hubert H. Humphrey's comments re: busing and President Nixon/ Jimmy Hoffa's visit to AFL-CIO convention in Miami/ Senator Hubert H. Humphrey joins convention and news conference/ AFL-CIO President George Meany comments. Time Code Start: 21:50. Keywords: labor, unions, IBT, International Brotherhood of Teamsters, transportation, schools, busing, desegregation, students. Network: ABC.

      9. Report on the New Hampshire primary and write in effort to draft Representative Wilbur Mills. Time Code Start: 24:05. Keywords: Presidents, Presidential elections, campaigns, primaries, voting. Network: ABC.

      10. Film report on Air Force One (AF1) communications center. Time Code Start: 26:18. Keywords: Presidents, aircraft, planes, Boeing 707 SAM 27000, Boeing 707 SAM 26000, radio, telephones, radar,. Network: ABC.

      11. Film report on Senator Ted Kennedy's trip to Bangladesh. Time Code Start: 29:19. Keywords: Senators, travel, trips, South Asian. Network: ABC.

      12. Harry Reasoner: Commentary critique on Haldeman saying those opposing President Nixon's Peace Plan were aiding the enemy. Time Code Start: 30:39. Keywords: advisors, counsels, attorneys, lawyers, Presidents, Paris Peace Talks, Vietnam War, treaty, treaties, negotiations, statements. Network: ABC.

      13. Report on Attorney General Mitchell's resignation to head the Committee to Re-elect the President (CRP) and Richard Kleindienst appointment as attorney general designate/ on camera comments by Kleindienst. Time Code Start: 32:32. Keywords: law officials, cabinet, advisors, nominations, appointments, confirmations, Presidential elections, campaigns, campaigning, candidates, organizations. Network: NBC.

      14. Report on Senator Mansfield and Senator Scott's comments re: busing/ film report on school busing boycott in Augusta, Georgia/ Representative Thompson comments. Time Code Start: 35:24. Keywords: bills, laws, legislation, desegregation, racism, racial discrimination, African Americans, schools, students, transportation, boycotts. Network: NBC.

      15. Report on Jimmy Hoffa's visit to the AFL-CIO convention in Miami/ Senator Hubert H. Humphrey, Senator Hartke, and Senator Muskie court AFL-CIO President George Meany's support. Time Code Start: 37:49. Keywords: labor, unions, IBT, International Brotherhood of Teamsters, leaders, prisons, sentences, releases, conventions. Network: NBC.

      16. Report on the economy. Time Code Start: 40:09. Keywords: economy, economics, debt, budgets, finances, recession, inflation, money. Network: NBC.

      17. Report on the administration's attempts to downgrade the Office of Surgeon General and attempts to force Steinfeld to resign. Time Code Start: 40:39. Keywords: cabinet, advisors, resignations. Network: NBC.

      18. Report on attacks and bombing in South Vietnam at end of the Tet Holiday/ cancellation of Peace Talks in Paris/ on camera comments by Secretary of Defense Laird re: buildup of U.S. nuclear weapons and his annual report. Time Code Start: 40:57. Keywords: cabinet, advisors, military, speeches, statements, Vietnam War, bombings, holidays, nuclear bombs, atomic, explosions, tests, testings. Network: NBC.

      19. Film report on Senator Ted Kennedy's trip to Bangladesh. Time Code Start: 44:44. Keywords: Senators, travel, trips, South Asian. Network: NBC.

      20. Report on Attorney General Mitchell's resignation to head the Committee to Re-elect the President (CRP) and Richard Kleindienst appointment as attorney general designate/ on camera comments by Kleindienst/ report on opposition to Kleindienst nomination, o. Time Code Start: 46:41. Keywords: law officials, cabinet, advisors, nominations, appointments, confirmations, Presidential elections, campaigns, campaigning, candidates, organizations, Senators, media, interviews. Network: CBS.

      21. Report on attacks and bombing in South Vietnam at the end of the Tet Holiday. Time Code Start: 50:44. Keywords: Vietnam War, bombings, holidays. Network: CBS.

      22. Report of Allied air attacks in North Vietnam/ film interview with POW Navy Flyer David Wesley Hoffman. Time Code Start: 51:14. Keywords: Vietnam War, Vietnam Prisoner of War, interviews. Network: CBS.

      23. Report on the dispute of a memo produced by AFL-CIO President George Meany on CBS TV show 60 Minutes. Time Code Start: 53:48. Keywords: leaders, labor, unions, American Federation of Labor, Congress of Industrial Organizations. Network: CBS.

      24. Report on Constitutional amendment to stop school busing; visit to the AFL-CIO convention in Miami by Democratic candidates/ Senator Hubert H. Humphrey and Senator Muskie court AFL-CIO President George Meany's support/ AFL-CIO support of busing, on camera. Time Code Start: 54:31. Keywords: political parties, Democrats, Democratic Party, bills, legislation, segregation, schools, students, transportation, reports, candidates, labor, unions, American Federation of Labor, Congress of Industrial Organizations, meetings, leaders, labor, unions, A. Network: CBS.

      25. Film report on school busing boycott in Augusta, Georgia/ Representative Thompson comments. Time Code Start: 57:58. Keywords: bills, laws, legislation, desegregation, racism, racial discrimination, African Americans, schools, students, transportation, boycotts. Network: CBS.

      26. Film report on the New Hampshire primary and write in effort to draft Representative Wilbur Mills/ on camera comments by Wilbur Mills. Time Code Start: 60:24. Keywords: Presidential elections, campaigns, candidates, primaries, voting. Network: CBS.

      27. Film report on Mayor John Lindsay's campaign in Florida. Time Code Start: 62:47. Keywords: elections, campaigns, campaigning, primaries, candidates, voting, speeches. Network: CBS.

Context (External Sources)