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February 20, 1972

Introduction

This almanac page for Sunday, February 20, 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: Saturday, February 19, 1972

Next Date: Monday, February 21, 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 "Spirit of '76"

  • 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.

  • 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.

    No Federal Register published on this date

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.

    • No President's Daily Brief delivered on this date

  • 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-8450 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-8450-, President Nixon's arrival in Peking, China, as seen on television. 2/20/1972, Washington, D.C. unknown. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Chou En-Lai, troops, officials.

    Roll WHPO-8466 Photographer: Schumaker, Byron | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-8466-01-29, Pilot and cockpit crew on board a Pan Am aircraft carrying press corps members en route to Shanghai, China. 2/20/1972, air, Shanghai, China plane, Rainbow Bridge Airport. Pilot, Cockpit, Crew, Press Corps, Pan American, Pan Am, Aircraft.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8466-30-36, Press corps members being greeted by a Chinese welcoming committee upon arrival in Shanghai, China. 2/20/1972, air, Shanghai, China plane, Rainbow Bridge Airport. Press Corps, Pan American, Pan Am, Aircraft, Chinese welcoming committee.

    Roll WHPO-8467 Photographer: Schumaker, Byron | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-8467-02-06, Press corps members prepare to board a Pan Am aircraft. 2/20/1972, Shanghai, China Tarmac, Airport. Press Corps, Pan Am, Aircraft.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8467-07-13, Crew and cockpit members on board an aircraft examine a map. 2/20/1972, air, Shanghai, China Air. Pilots, Crew, Cockpit, Aircraft, Map.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8467-14-15, Seats in aircraft. 2/20/1972, Shanghai, China Aircraft. Seats, Aircraft.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8467-16-20, Pilot in cockpit being directed by Chinese airport workers with signal flags. 2/20/1972, Shanghai, China Aircraft. Pilot, Cockpit.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8467-21-23, Press corps members have tea and socialize with Chinese hosts. 2/20/1972, Shanghai, China Building. Press Corps, Hosts.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8467-24-27, Press corps members and Chinese hosts walk upstairs. 2/20/1972, Shanghai, China Building. Press Corps, Hosts.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8467-28-33, Press corps members have a meal and socialize with Chinese hosts. 2/20/1972, Shanghai, China Building. Press Corps, Hosts.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8467-34-36, Press corps members share a drink and socialize with Chinese hosts. 2/20/1972, Shanghai, China Building. Press Corps, Hosts, Toasts.

    Roll WHPO-8468 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-8468-, President Nixon in his meeting room aboard the Spirit of '76 (Air Force One) speaking with Secretary of State William Rogers, Henry Kissinger and Marshall Green. 2/20/1972, enroute to Guam, air cabin room. President Nixon, William Rogers, Henry Kissinger, Marshall Green, film crew.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8468-02, President Nixon in his meeting room aboard the Spirit of '76 (Air Force One) (AF1) speaking with Secretary of State William Rogers, Henry Kissinger and Marshall Green. 2/20/1972, enroute to Guam, air cabin room. President Nixon, William Rogers, Henry Kissinger, Marshall Green.

    Roll WHPO-8470 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-8470-04A-05A, Pat Nixon and staff members seated inside Air Force One (Spirit of 76). 2/20/1972, Air Air Force One (Spirit of 76). Pat Nixon, Staff.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8470-06A-07A, President Nixon standing inside Air Force One (Spirit of 76). 2/20/1972, Air Air Force One (Spirit of 76). President Nixon.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8470-13-15, President Nixon greets a crowd upon arrival at Kaneohe Marine Corps Air Base. 2/20/1972, Oahu, Hawaii Kaneohe MCAS. President Nixon, Crowd.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8470-16-17, President Nixon, Pat Nixon, and Senator Hiram Fong greet 79 year old Tatsu J. Ogawa. 2/20/1972, Oahu, Hawaii Kaneohe MCAS. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Tatsu J. Ogawa.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8470-18-23, Staff. 2/20/1972, Oahu, Hawaii Staff, Henry Kissinger.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8470-24A-26A, President Nixon speaks to a crowd prior to departing for Guam from Kaneohe Marine Corps Air Base in Hawaii. 2/20/1972, Oahu, Hawaii Kaneohe MCAS. President Nixon, Crowd.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8470-27A-29A, President Nixon greets two unidentified women prior to departing for Guam from Kaneohe Marine Corps Air Base in Hawaii. 2/20/1972, Oahu, Hawaii Kaneohe MCAS. President Nixon, Crowd.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8470-30A-33A, President Nixon shakes hands with Senator Hiram Fong prior to departing for Guam from Kaneohe Marine Corps Air Base in Hawaii. 2/20/1972, Oahu, Hawaii Kaneohe MCAS. President Nixon, Hiram Fong.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8470-34A-35A, President Nixon shakes hands with a man in uniform prior to departing for Guam from Kaneohe Marine Corps Air Base in Hawaii. 2/20/1972, Oahu, Hawaii Kaneohe MCAS. President Nixon, Hiram Fong.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8470-36A, President Nixon and Pat Nixon wave from the entrance to Air Force One (Spirit of 76) prior to departing for Guam from Kaneohe Marine Corps Air Base in Hawaii. 2/20/1972, Oahu, Hawaii Kaneohe MCAS. President Nixon, Pat Nixon.

    Roll WHPO-8471 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-8471-02-09, President Nixon seated on board Air Force One (Spirit of 76) in his office cabin with Henry Kissinger en route to China. 2/20/1972, air Air Force One (Spirit of 76). President Nixon, Henry Kissinger.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8471-07, President Nixon seated on board Air Force One (Spirit of 76) in his office cabin with Henry Kissinger en route to China. 2/20/1972, air Air Force One (Spirit of 76). President Nixon, Henry Kissinger.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8471-10-17, President Nixon seated on board Air Force One (Spirit of 76) in his office cabin en route to China. 2/20/1972, air Air Force One (Spirit of 76). President Nixon.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8471-14, President Nixon seated on board Air Force One (Spirit of 76) in his office cabin en route to China. 2/20/1972, air Air Force One (Spirit of 76). President Nixon.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8471-18-19, Pat Nixon sits on board Air Force One (Spirit of 76) and works with documents en route to China. 2/20/1972, air Air Force One (Spirit of 76). Pat Nixon.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8471-20-32, President Nixon seated on board Air Force One (Spirit of 76) in his office cabin with Pat Nixon en route to China. 2/20/1972, air Air Force One (Spirit of 76). President Nixon, Pat Nixon.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8471-26, President Nixon seated on board Air Force One (Spirit of 76) in his office cabin with Pat Nixon en route to China. 2/20/1972, air Air Force One (Spirit of 76). President Nixon, Pat Nixon.

    Roll WHPO-8472 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-8472-01-04, Henry Kissinger and unidentified persons look over documents. 2/20/1972, Hawaii unknown. Henry Kissinger.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8472-05-09, Unidentified persons confer and work at a table. 2/20/1972, Hawaii unknown. Unidentified persons.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8472-09, Dwight Chapin, John Scali, Brent Scowcroft and others sitting at a table reading and writing. 2/20/1972, Hawaii unknown. Unidentified persons.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8472-10-12, President Nixon and Pat Nixon are greeted by Unidentified. 2/20/1972, Hawaii outside, residence of Rear Admiral Paul Pugh. President Nixon, Pat Nixon.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8472-13-18, President Nixon and Pat Nixon standing with Unidentified and his family. 2/20/1972, Hawaii outside, residence of Rear Admiral Paul Pugh. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Unidentified, family members, domestic staff.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8472-19-22, President Nixon with Unidentified's household staff. 2/20/1972, Hawaii outside, residence of Rear Admiral Paul Pugh. President Nixon, Unidentified, domestic staff.

    Roll WHPO-8473 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-8473-01A-20A, President Nixon and Henry Kissinger stand while speaking to passengers on board Air Force One (Spirit of 76). 2/20/1972, air Air Force One (Spirit of 76). President Nixon, Henry Kissinger.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8473-16A, President Nixon and Henry Kissinger stand while speaking on board Air Force One (Spirit of 76). 2/20/1972, air Air Force One (Spirit of 76). President Nixon, Henry Kissinger.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8473-20A, President Nixon stands while speaking on board Air Force One (Spirit of 76). 2/20/1972, air Air Force One (Spirit of 76). President Nixon, Henry Kissinger.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8473-21A-30A, President Nixon, Ron Ziegler, and others stand while speaking on board Air Force One (Spirit of 76). 2/20/1972, air Air Force One (Spirit of 76). President Nixon, Ron Ziegler, unidentified men.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8473-22A, President Nixon, Ron Ziegler, and others stand while speaking on board Air Force One (Spirit of 76). 2/20/1972, air Air Force One (Spirit of 76). President Nixon, Ron Ziegler, unidentified men.

    Roll WHPO-8475 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-8475-02-12, President Nixon seated on board Air Force One (Spirit of 76) talking with H.R. Haldeman. 2/20/1972, air Air Force One (Spirit of 76). President Nixon, H.R. Haldeman.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8475-03, President Nixon seated on board Air Force One (Spirit of 76) talking with H.R. Haldeman. 2/20/1972, air Air Force One (Spirit of 76). President Nixon, H.R. Haldeman.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8475-07, President Nixon seated on board Air Force One (Spirit of 76) talking with H.R. Haldeman. 2/20/1972, air Air Force One (Spirit of 76). President Nixon, H.R. Haldeman.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8475-09, President Nixon seated on board Air Force One (Spirit of 76) talking with H.R. Haldeman. 2/20/1972, air Air Force One (Spirit of 76). President Nixon, H.R. Haldeman.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8475-13-18, Henry Kissinger, Ron Ziegler, John Scali, and an unidentified man seated on board Air Force One (Spirit of 76). 2/20/1972, air Air Force One (Spirit of 76). Henry Kissinger, Ron Ziegler, John Scali, Winston Lord.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8475-14, Henry Kissinger, Ron Ziegler, John Scali, and Winston Lord seated on board Air Force One (Spirit of 76). 2/20/1972, air Air Force One (Spirit of 76). Henry Kissinger, Ron Ziegler, John Scali, Winston Lord.

    Roll WHPO-8476 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-8476-03-13, President Nixon seated on board Air Force One (Spirit of 76) inside a private cabin with Henry Kissinger en route to China. 2/20/1972, Air Air Force One (Spirit of 76). President Nixon, Henry Kissinger.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8476-11, President Nixon seated on board Air Force One (Spirit of 76) inside a private cabin talking with Henry Kissinger en route to China. 2/20/1972, Air Air Force One (Spirit of 76). President Nixon, Henry Kissinger.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8476-14-22, President Nixon seated on board Air Force One (Spirit of 76) inside a private cabin en route to China. 2/20/1972, Air Air Force One (Spirit of 76). President Nixon.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8476-18, President Nixon seated on board Air Force One (Spirit of 76) inside a private cabin en route to China. 2/20/1972, Air Air Force One (Spirit of 76). President Nixon.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8476-20, President Nixon seated on board Air Force One (Spirit of 76) inside a private cabin en route to China. 2/20/1972, Air Air Force One (Spirit of 76). President Nixon.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8476-23-30, Pat Nixon seated on board Air Force One (Spirit of 76) inside a private cabin en route to China. 2/20/1972, Air Air Force One (Spirit of 76). Pat Nixon.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8476-29, Pat Nixon seated on board Air Force One (Spirit of 76) inside a private cabin en route to China. 2/20/1972, Air Air Force One (Spirit of 76). Pat Nixon.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8476-31-37, President Nixon seated on board Air Force One (Spirit of 76) inside a private cabin with Pat Nixon en route to China. 2/20/1972, Air Air Force One (Spirit of 76). President Nixon, Pat Nixon.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8476-36, President Nixon seated on board Air Force One (Spirit of 76) inside a private cabin with Pat Nixon en route to China. 2/20/1972, Air Air Force One (Spirit of 76). President Nixon.

    Roll WHPO-8477 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-8477-01A-03A, President Nixon and William Rogers speak while aboard Air Force One (Spirit of 76) en route to China. 2/20/1972, Air Air Force One (Spirit of 76). President Nixon, William Rogers.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8477-04A, 11A-15A, 23A-32A, President Nixon, Henry Kissinger, and William Rogers speak while on board Air Force One (Spirit of 76) en route to China. 2/20/1972, Air Air Force One (Spirit of 76). President Nixon, Henry Kissinger, William Rogers.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8477-05A-10A, 16A-22A, President Nixon and Henry Kissinger stand while talking on board Air Force One (Spirit of 76) en route to China. 2/20/1972, Air Air Force One (Spirit of 76). President Nixon, Henry Kissinger.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8477-22A, President Nixon and Henry Kissinger stand and confer aboard Air Force One (Spirit of 76) en route to China. 2/20/1972, Air Air Force One (Spirit of 76). President Nixon, Henry Kissinger.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8477-23A-35A, President Nixon, Ron Ziegler, and others stand while talking on board Air Force One (Spirit of 76) en route to China. 2/20/1972, Air Air Force One (Spirit of 76). President Nixon, Ron Ziegler, Marshall Green.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8477-24, President Nixon, Henry Kissinger, and William Rogers talking while aboard Air Force One (Spirit of 76) en route to China. 2/20/1972, Air Air Force One (Spirit of 76). President Nixon, Henry Kissinger, William Rogers, unidentified man.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8477-26A, President Nixon, Henry Kissinger, and William Rogers talking while on board Air Force One (Spirit of 76) en route to China. 2/20/1972, Air Air Force One (Spirit of 76). President Nixon, Henry Kissinger, William Rogers, unidentified man.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8477-31A, President Nixon talking with His Foreign Policy Team onboard Air Force One en route to China. 2/20/1972, Air Air Force One (Spirit of 76). President Nixon, Henry Kissinger, William Rogers.

    Roll WHPO-8486 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-8486-01A-02A, Henry Kissinger, Ron Ziegler, and other staff members seated on board Air Force One (Spirit of 76). 2/20/1972, air Air Force One (Spirit of 76. Henry Kissinger, Ron Ziegler, unidentified men.

    Roll WHPO-8527 Photographer: Moore, Robert (Supervisor/Director, WHPO Photographic Laboratory) | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-8527-01A-20A, President Nixon and Pat Nixon are greeted by officials and a crowd of well wishers, upon landing on Guam. 2/20/1972, Agana, Guam Guam International Airport. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, officials, crowd.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8527-21A-26A, Aerial view of the Agana, Guam area. 2/20/1972, Agana, Guam mid-air. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, officials, crowd.

  • 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.

    I - Various Administration Events

    • WHCA-SR-I-104
      Conference call: Peking, Guam [speed changes on original] [duplicate of T-27]. (2/20/1972, Peking SWBD, People's Republic of China)

      Runtime: [Nonelisted]

      Keywords: People's Republic of China, Trips

      Production credits: Audio feed supplied by "SWBD"; Recorded by RHD (initials of WHCA engineer)

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

    P - Formal Presidential Remarks

    • WHCA-SR-P-720212
      Remarks by President Nixon on arrival in Guam. (2/20/1972)

      Runtime: 3:31

      Keywords: People's Republic of China, Trips

      Production credits: Audio feed supplied by WHCA; No WHCA engineer initials listed

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

    T - China Advance Team

    • WHCA-SR-T-027
      Walker, Chapin, Duval, Schrauth, start 0500. (2/20/1972)

      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-028
      Coffey, Brennan, start 0600. (2/20/1972)

      Runtime: 15:00

      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-5080
      "Face the Nation", "Meet the Press" AND "Issues and Answers". People's Republic of China
      ALL NETWORKS
      Runtime: 01:30:19
    • WHCA-5081
      "Misunderstanding China". People's Republic of China
      Undetermined
      Runtime: 1:00
    • WHCA-5082
      "Comment" AND "Newsmakers". "Comment" with Tannenbaum on life in China (People's Republic of China) Vice President of the United States Spiro T. Agnew.
      NBC
      Runtime: 1:00
    • WHCA-5083
      "Firing Line". a discussion of Vietnam from Saigon Helen Gahagan Douglas.

      Runtime: 01:03:22
    • WHCA-5084
      "60 Minutes". President Nixon's China Trip (People's Republic of China) U.S. Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA).
      Undetermined
      Runtime: 01:03:24
    • WHCA-5085
      Nixon Arrival in Peking. People's Republic of China FTN: Moshe Dayan, Israeli Defense Minister; "MTP": New York City Mayor John Lindsay; "I&A": Teamsters Union president James Hoffa.
      CBS, NBC, ABC
      Runtime: 01:06:52
    • WHCA-5086
      Nixon Arrival in Peking. People's Republic of China Moment: the curator of the White House; "Newsm": U.S. Senator Fred Harris (D-OK).
      WTOP-TV
      Runtime: 01:03:30
    • WHCA-5087
      Nixon Arrival in Peking. People's Republic of China Col. Albertazzie, pilot of Air Force One; AFL-CIO president George Meany, Sir John Masterman.
      CBS
      Runtime: 01:32:10
    • WHCA-5124
      Weekly News Summary.
      ALL NETWORKS
      Runtime: 01:28:08

      14. Utley/Paxton: Vietnam War. Time Code Start: 44:04. Keywords: Vietnam War. Network: NBC.

      15. Utley/Windsor: Dock workers back to work. Time Code Start: 46:20. Keywords: harbors, Stevedores, dock workers, longshoremen, strikes, recession, inflation, wages, unemployment, trade, negotiations. Network: NBC.
    • WHCA-5146
      "China News Summary", Tape I.
      ALL NETWORKS
      Runtime: 1:30

      12. Utley/Chancellor: President Nixon's China trip. Time Code Start: 30:10. Keywords: Presidents, travel, trips, Nixon trips, international, People's Republic of China. Network: NBC.

Context (External Sources)