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February 4, 1969

Introduction

This almanac page for Tuesday, February 4, 1969, 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 3, 1969

Next Date: Wednesday, February 5, 1969

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.

    Addresses and Remarks

    • Department of Labor (5 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 216, February 4, 1969)
      The President's Remarks to Top Officials at the Department.

    Appointments and Nominations

    Awards and Citations

    • Presidential Unit Citation (5 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 215, February 4, 1969)
      Announcement of Award to the 716th Military Police Battalion and Attached Units.

    Letters, Memorandums, Etc.

    Statements by the President

    • Ralph McGill (5 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 218, February 4, 1969)
      Statement by the President.

    Swearing-In Ceremonies

    • Executive Office of the President and White House Staff (5 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 216, February 4, 1969)
      The President's Remarks at the Swearing In of Dr. Paul W. McCracken, Dr. Herbert Stein, and Dr. Hendrik Houthakker, Council of Economic Advisers; Dr. Arthur Burns, Counsellor to the President; and Gen. George A. Lincoln, Director, Office of Emergency Preparedness.

    Checklist of White House Press Releases

    The releases listed below, made public by the Office of the White House Press Secretary during the period covered by this issue, are not included in the issue.

    • Biography of Martin J. Hillenbrand.
    • Biography of Paul W. McCracken.
    • Biography of Herbert Stein.
    • Biography of Hendrik S. Houthakker.
    • Biography of Arthur F. Burns.
    • Biography of George A. Lincoln.
    • Biography of Joseph J. Sisco.
    • Biography uf Samuel De Palma.
    • Biography of Lt. Col. Ralph D. Albertazzle.
    • Biography of Col. Walter R. Tkach.

    Digest of Other White House Announcements

    Following is a listing of items of general interest which were announced in the press but not made public as formal White House press releases during the period covered by this issue. Appointments requiring Senate approval are not included since they appear in the list of nominations submitted to the Senate, below.

    • The President has named Lt. Col. Ralph D. Albertazzie as Commander of the President's Aircraft.
    • The President appointed Col. Walter R. Tkach, USAF, as physician to the President.

    Nominations Submitted to the Senate

    Does not include promotions of members of the Uniformed Services, nominations to the Service Academies, or nominations of Foreign Service Officers.

    • JAMES C. COUNTS, of California, to be Federal Mediation and Conciliation Director.
    • JAMES V. SMITH, of Oklahoma, to be Administrator of the Farmers Home Administration.
    • MARTIN J. HILLENBRAND, of Illinois, a Foreign Service Officer of the Class of Career Minister, to be an Assistant Secretary of State.
    • SAMUEL DE PALMA, of Maryland, a Foreign Service Officer of Class one, to be an Assistant Secretary of State.
    • JOSEPH JOHN Sisco, of Maryland, a Foreign Service Officer of the Class of Career Minister, to be an Assistant Secretary of State.

  • 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

  • Selective document listing

    President's Office Files

    The President's Office Files consists of materials drawn together by the Special Files Unit from several administrative subdivisions within the White House Office. It is the handwriting and sensitive papers sent to the Staff Secretary that now comprise much of the President's Office Files. Visit the finding aid to learn more.

    • President's Handwriting, Box 1, President's Handwriting, February 1969
      • Memo; Maurice H. Stans to The President re: Inventory of problems inherited from the previous Administration, incl. attachment. February 4, 1969. 6 pgs.
    • President's Meetings File, Box 73, Memoranda for the President--Beginning February 2, 1969
      • Memo; Alexander P. Butterfield to The President's File re: Mid-Afternoon Meeting in the President's Office with David Kennedy, Secretary of the Treasury; Walter Hickel, Secretary of the Interior; and Maurice Stans, Secretary of Commerce (3:30 - 4:15 p.m.). February 4, 1969. 3 pgs.

    President's Personal File

    The President's Personal File is essentially a President's secretary's file, kept by Rose Mary Woods, personal secretary to the President, for two purposes: (1) preserving for posterity a collection of documents particularly close to the President, whether because he dictated or annotated them, or because of the importance of the correspondent or the event concerned and (2) giving appropriate attention–letters of gratitude, invitations to White House social events, and the like–to members and important friends and supporters of the Nixon administration. This generalization does not describe all the varied materials of a file group which is essentially a miscellany, but it does identify the reason for the existence of the file group's core. Visit the finding aid to learn more.

    • Memoranda from the President, Box 1, Memos--February 1969
      • Memo; The President to Henry Kissinger re: February 3 memorandum, "The Mid East -- Some Policy Considerations". February 4, 1969. 1 pg.
      • Memo; The President to John Ehrlichman re: RN providing direct leadership to the Cabinet committee. February 4, 1969. 1 pg.
      • Memo; The President to Bob Haldeman re: Looking at a few letters from old friends and VIPs. February 4, 1969. 1 pg.
      • Memo; The President to John Ehrlichman re: Legislative program. February 4, 1969. 1 pg.
      • Memo; The President to John Ehrlichman re: Increase in presidential salary, Six Crises, honorarium from Ladies' Home Journal on the preface to Six Crises. February 4, 1969. 1 pg.
      • Memo; The President to The Secretary of State and the Attorney General re: Hijacking of planes to Cuba. February 4, 1969. 1 pg.
      • Memo; The President to The Attorney General re: D. C. Crime Report. February 4, 1969. 1 pg.
      • Memo; The President to Henry Kissinger re: John Eisenhower's announcement as Ambassador to Brussels. February 4, 1969. 1 pg.
      • Memo; The President to Bob Haldeman re: Dinner for Menzies. February 4, 1969. 1 pg.
      • Memo; The President to The Secretary of State re: Heads of government meeting. February 4, 1969. 1 pg.
      • Memo; The President to John Ehrlichman re: Brief affirmative comments with regard to the Inauguration and also the press conference. February 4, 1969. 1 pg.
      • Memo; The President to Bob Haldeman re: Comments on the Inaugural. February 4, 1969. 1 pg.
      • Memo; The President to John Ehrlichman re: News summaries. February 4, 1969. 2 pgs.
      • Memo; The President to The Attorney General re: The Daily News "Crime Clock". February 4, 1969. 1 pg.
      • Memo; The President to Secretary Finch; Patrick Moynihan; John Ehrlichman re: The Washington Daily News editorial, "Schools, Crime and the President". February 4, 1969. 1 pg.

  • Selective document listing

    White House Press Office

    The White House Press Office during the Presidency of Richard Nixon was responsible for daily communication with the White House press corps. Ronald L. Ziegler was the Press Secretary to the President for Nixon's entire term in office from January 1969 to August 1974 and Gerald Warren served as the Deputy Press Secretary. The office held daily briefings for the press and produced the White House’s press releases. Visit the finding aid to learn more.

    • White House Press Conferences, Box 55
      • News Conference #32 at the White House with Ron Ziegler, February 4, 1969, 11:10 A.M. EST. 6 pgs.
      • News Conference #33 at the White House with Ron Ziegler, February 4, 1969, 4:02 P.M. EST. 3 pgs.

  • 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. I, Foundations of Foreign Policy, 1969-1972

    Foundations of Foreign Policy, 1969-1972

    • 10. Letter From President Nixon to Secretary of Defense Laird, Washington, February 4, 1969

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 220, Agency Files, Department of Defense, Vol. I, 1/12/69. Secret. President Nixon sent an identical letter on February 4 to Secretary of State Rogers. (Ibid., Box 279, Agency Files, Department of State, Vol. I, 1/17/69)

    Vol. II, Organization and Management of U.S. Foreign Policy, 1969-1972

    The Intelligence Community and the White House

    Vol. XII, Soviet Union, January 1969-October 1970

    Initial Contacts, January-April 22, 1969

    • 10. Letter From President Nixon to Secretary of State Rogers, Washington, February 4, 1969

      Source: Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Kissinger Papers, Box CL 215, “D” File. Secret. Kissinger sent this letter to the President on February 4 for his signature and reminded him that they had cleared the draft that morning. (Ibid.) An identical letter to Secretary of Defense Laird was included for Nixon’s signature. (Ibid.) The letter to Laird is in Foreign Relations, 1969–1976, volume I, Foundations of Foreign Policy, 1969–1972, Document 10.

    Vol. XXIII, Arab-Israeli Dispute, 1969-1972

    The Rogers Plan

    • 5. Minutes of a National Security Council Meeting , Washington, February 4, 1969, 10 a.m.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–109, NSC Meeting Minutes, NSC Minutes Originals 1969. Top Secret. Drafted on May 1 by Saunders. All brackets are in the original. According to the President’s Daily Diary, the meeting was held in the Cabinet Room from 10:07 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. (Ibid., White House Central Files)

    Vol. XXIX, Eastern Europe, 1969-1972

    Radio Free Europe and Radio Liberty

    Vol. E-5, Part 1, Documents on Sub-Saharan Africa, 1969-1972

    Nigerian Civil War

    • 30. Study Prepared by the NSC Interdepartmental Group on Africa , Washington, February 4, 1969

      Paper I considered relief needs in Nigeria and Biafra and alternative U.S. approaches and programs aimed at expediting and enlarging the flow of relief.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–20, NSC Meeting, Biafra, Strategic Policy Issues 2/14/69. Secret.

    • 31. Study Prepared by the NSC Interdepartmental Group on Africa , Washington, February 4, 1969

      Paper II considered alternative views of U.S. interests in Nigeria and Biafra, the range of policy choices open to the United States, and the political consequences of the relief courses described in Paper I.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–20, NSC Meeting, Biafra, Strategic Policy Issues 2/14/69. Secret.

  • 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 of many of these transcripts can be found on the Yale University Library website.

    • 8:35 AM, President Eisenhower; Mr. Kissinger
    • 9:00 AM, Hal Saunders; Mr. Kissinger
    • 12:50 PM, John Walsh; Mr. Kissinger
    • 2:25 PM, Secy Laird; Mr. Kissinger
    • 2:50 PM, Mr. Haldeman; Mr. Kissinger
    • 3:40 PM, Ambassador Lucet (France); Mr. Kissinger
    • 3:55 PM, John Walsh; Mr. Kissinger
    • 5:00 PM, Scott Reston; Mr. Kissinger
    • 5:15 PM, Phillip Potter (Baltimore Sun); Mr. Kissinger
    • 5:35 PM, The President; Mr. Kissinger
    • 5:55 PM, Richard Sneider; Mr. Kissinger
    • 6:00 PM, Sir Patrick Dean (British Ambassador); Mr. Kissinger
    • 7:15 PM, President Eisenhower; Mr. Kissinger
    • 7:35 PM, Secy Laird; Mr. Kissinger
    • 8:05 PM, Herb Klein; Mr. Kissinger
    • 9:50 PM, Robert Ellsworth; Mr. Kissinger
    • 10:15 PM, Mr. Haldeman; Mr. Kissinger

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-0199 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-0199-01, President Nixon speaking at the microphone before the Swearing-in ceremony for Council of Economic Advisers (CEA) members. Standing nearby are, military aides, Ron Ziegler, Herb Stein, Hendrik S. Houthakker, Chairman Paul McCracken, Counselor to the President Dr. Arthur F. Burns, Director of the Emergency Preparedness Office George A. Lincoln, and Chief Supreme Court Justice Warren Burger. 2/4/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Fish Room. President Nixon, Justice Warren E. Burger, Dr. Arthur F. Burns, George A. Lincoln, Hendrik S. Houthakker, H. Stein, Paul W. McCracken,Ron Ziegler, unidentified family members and military aides.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-0199-02-05, Supreme Court Justice Warren Burger administers the Swearing-in ceremony for Council of Economic Advisers (CEA) members; Herb Stein, Hendrik S. Houthakker, Chairman Paul McCracken, Counselor to the President Dr. Arthur F. Burns, Director of the Emergency Preparedness Office George A. Lincoln, and Chief. 2/4/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Fish Room. President Nixon, Justice Warren E. Burger, Dr. Arthur F. Burns, George A. Lincoln, Hendrik S. Houthakker, H. Stein, Paul W. McCracken,Ron Ziegler, unidentified family members and military aides.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-0199-06-08, Supreme Court Justice Warren Burger administers the Swearing-in ceremony for Counselor to the President Dr. Arthur F. Burns, Council of Economic Advisers (CEA) member. Mrs. Burns is holding the bible. Standing nearby are President Nixon, Herb Stein, Hendrik S. Houthakker, Chairman Paul McCracken, Director of the Emergency. Preparedness Office George A. Lincoln. 2/4/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Fish Room. President Nixon, Justice Warren E. Burger, Dr. Arthur F. Burns, George A. Lincoln, Hendrik S. Houthakker, H. Stein, Paul W. McCracken,Ron Ziegler, unidentified family members and military aides.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-0199-09-10, Supreme Court Justice Warren Burger administers the Swearing-in ceremony for Director of the Emergency Preparedness Office George A. Lincoln. Mrs. Lincoln is holding the bible. Standing nearby are President Nixon, Counselor to the President Dr. Arthur F. Burns, Herb Stein, Hendrik S. Houthakker, and Chairman Paul McCracken. 2/4/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Fish Room. President Nixon, Justice Warren E. Burger, Dr. Arthur F. Burns, George A. Lincoln, Hendrik S. Houthakker, H. Stein, Paul W. McCracken,Ron Ziegler, unidentified family members and military aides.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-0199-11, A portrait of President Nixon stamding with the McCracken family, after the Swearing-in ceremony for Council of Economic Advisers (CEA) Chairman Paul McCracken. Pictured: Mrs. Paul McCracken,Paula McCracken, Linda McCracken, Counselor to the President Dr. Arthur F. Burns, Herb Stein, Hendrik S. Houthakker, and George A. Lincoln. 2/4/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Fish Room. President Nixon, Mrs. Paul McCracken, Paula McCracken, Linda McCracken, Paul W. McCracken, Dr. Arthur F. Burns, George A. Lincoln, Hendrik S. Houthakker, Herb Stein.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-0199-12, President Nixon with the Stein family, after the Swearing-in ceremony for Council of Economic Advisers (CEA) member Herbert G. Stein. Pictured: Herb Stein, Mrs. Herbert G. Stein, Melvin Epstein, Rachel Epstein, Counselor to the President Dr. Arthur F. Burns, , Hendrik S. Houthakker, Paul W. McCracken, and George A. Lincoln. 2/4/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Fish Room. President Nixon, Herbert G. Stein, Mrs. Herbert G. Stein, Melvin Epstein, Rachel Epstein, Dr. Arthur F. Burns, Hendrik S. Houthakker, Paul W. McCracken, and George A. Lincoln.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-0199-13-14, President Nixon with the Houthakker family, after the Swearing-in ceremony for Council of Economic Advisers (CEA) member Hendrik S. Houthakker. Pictured: Hendrik S. Houthakker, Mrs. Houthakker, Jan Nicolas Houthakker, Isabella Houthakker, Counselor to the President Dr. Arthur F. Burns, Paul W. McCracken, and George A. Lincoln. 2/4/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Fish Room. President Nixon, Hendrik S. Houthakker, Mrs. Houthakker, Jan Nicolas Houthakker, Isabella Houthakker, Dr. Arthur F. Burns, Paul W. McCracken, Herb Stein, and George A. Lincoln.

    Roll WHPO-0201 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-0201-04-09, Standing head and shoulders portrait of J. Bruce Whelihan, aide to Press Secretary Ron Ziegler. 2/4/1969, Washington, D.C. J. Bruce Whelihan.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-0201-10-19, Standing portrait of J. Bruce Whelihan, aide to Press Secretary Ron Ziegler. 2/4/1969, Washington, D.C. J. Bruce Whelihan.

    Roll WHPO-0202 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-0202-00A-03A, President Nixon, Sec. of Labor George Shultz, unidentified Labor Department officials. 2/4/1969, Washington, D.C. Department of Labor. President Nixon, George P. Shultz, unidentified officials.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-0202-04A, President Nixon, Sec. of Labor George Shultz, unidentified Labor Department officials. 2/4/1969, Washington, D.C. Department of Labor. President Nixon, George P. Shultz, unidentified officials.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-0202-07A-11A, President Nixon and military aide, seen from behind, walking to the White House along the grounds. 2/4/1969, Washington, D.C. White House. President Nixon, unidentified military aide.

    Roll WHPO-0203 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-0203-01A, President Nixon entering the Dept. of Labor. 2/4/1969, Washington, D.C. Department of Labor. President Nixon, George Shultz, James D. Hodgson, Arnold Weber, William Usery, Jr., Geoffery Moore, George L. P. Weaver, Elizabeth Koontz, Leo Wertz, David Taylor, unidentified persons.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-0203-02A-03A, Group portrait of President Nixon and and Dept. of Labor leaders including George Shultz, James Hodgson, Arnold Weber, William Usery, Jr., Geoffery Moore, George L. P. Weaver, Elizabeth Koontz, Leo Wertz and David Taylor. 2/4/1969, Washington, D.C. Department of Labor. President Nixon, George Shultz, James D. Hodgson, Arnold Weber, William Usery, Jr., Geoffery Moore, George L. P. Weaver, Elizabeth Koontz, Leo Wertz, David Taylor, unidentified persons.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-0203-04A-05A, President Nixon addressing an audience at the Dept. of Labor auditorium. 2/4/1969, Washington, D.C. Department of Labor. President Nixon, George Shultz, James D. Hodgson, Arnold Weber, William Usery, Jr., Geoffery Moore, George L. P. Weaver, Elizabeth Koontz, Leo Wertz, David Taylor, unidentified persons.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-0203-06A, President Nixon leaving the Dept. of Labor. 2/4/1969, Washington, D.C. Department of Labor. President Nixon, George Shultz, James Day Hodgson, Arnold Weber, William Usery, Jr., Geoffery Moore, George L. P. Weaver, Elizabeth Koontz, Leo Wertz, David Taylor, unidentified persons.

  • 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-690205
      Remarks by President Nixon at swearing-in for Council of Economic Advisors (CEA). (2/4/1969, Fish Room, White House)

      Runtime: 8:00

      Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.
    • WHCA-SR-P-690206
      Remarks by President Nixon to officials in Labor of Dept. (Department of Labor Auditorium), sec. Schultz [Possible Copyright]. (2/4/1969)

      Runtime: 12:11

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

Context (External Sources)