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February 4, 1974

Introduction

This almanac page for Monday, February 4, 1974, 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: Sunday, February 3, 1974

Next Date: Tuesday, February 5, 1974

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.

  • 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.

  • 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. XV, Soviet Union, June 1972-August 1974

    Gromyko's Trip to Washington and Kissinger's Pre-Summit Trip to Moscow, February-March 1974

    • 158. Memorandum of Conversation, Washington, February 4, 1974

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Kissinger Office Files, Box 71, Country Files—Europe—USSR, Gromyko 1974. Secret; Nodis. Drafted by Hartman.

    • 159. Memorandum of Conversation, Washington, February 4, 1974, 4:30 p.m.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Kissinger Office Files, Box 71, Country Files—Europe—USSR, Gromyko 1974. Top Secret; Sensitive. The meeting was held in the Oval Office. Brackets are in the original.

    Vol. XXXVI, Energy Crisis, 1969-1974

    October 6, 1973-March 22, 1974

    Vol. XXXVIII, Part 2, Organization and Management of Foreign Policy; Public Diplomacy, 1973-1976

    Managing the Department of State

    Vol. XXXIX, European Security

    U.S.-Soviet Bilaterals, September 1973-May 1974

    • 183. Memorandum of Conversation, Washington, February 4, 1974

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Kissinger Office Files, Box 71, Country Files, Europe, USSR, Gromyko 1974. Secret; Nodis. Drafted by Hartman. The meeting took place in Kissinger’s office. The full text of the memorandum of conversation is scheduled for publication in Foreign Relations, 1969–1976, volume XV, Soviet Union, June 1972–August 1974.

    • 184. Memorandum of Conversation, Washington, February 4, 1974, 4:30 p.m.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Kissinger Office Files, Box 71, Country Files, Europe, USSR, Gromyko 1974. Top Secret; Sensitive. The meeting took place in the Oval Office. The full text of the memorandum of conversation is scheduled for publication in Foreign Relations, 1969–1976, volume XV, Soviet Union, June 1972–August 1974.

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

    Saudi Arabia

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

    Women's Issues

    • 170. Telegram 383 From the Mission to the United Nations to the Department of State, February 4, 1974, 1954Z., February 4, 1974, 1954Z

      The telegram recounted the principal occurrences at the 25th session of the U.N. Commission on the Status of Women, which met in New York from January 14 to February 1.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files. Limited Official Use. Repeated to HEW and USIA. The Department of State was to pass the telegram to the Department of Labor. Nixon’s Presidential Proclamation 4262, January 30, 1974, is published in Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents, Vol. 10, No. 5, p. 112.

  • 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-E2164 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2164-, President Nixon seated at table at Signing Ceremony for the 1974 Budget Message to Congress with members of the Office of Management and Budget surrounding him. 2/4/1974, Washington, D.C. White House, Cabinet Room. President Nixon and members of the Office of Management and Budget.

    Roll WHPO-E2165 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2165-, President Nixon and Pat Nixon attending funeral services for Murray M. Chotiner, former Presidential aide and attorney for Harrison, Lucey, Sagle and Solter. Services were conducted by Rabbi Joseph P. Weinberg. 2/4/1974, Washington, D.C. Washington Hebrew Congregational Temple. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Mrs. Murray M. Chotiner (with sunglasses), Julie Chotiner, step daughter, and Renee Chotiner, step daughter.

    Roll WHPO-E2166 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2166-, President Nixon and Secretary of State Henry Kissinger meeting with Andrey A. Gromyko, Foreign Minister of the U.S.S.R. 2/4/1974, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, and Andrey A. Gromyko, Foreign Minister of the U.S.S.R.

    Roll WHPO-E2167 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2167-02A-09A, President Nixon and Secretary of State Henry Kissinger meeting with Andrey A. Gromyko, Foreign Minister of the U.S.S.R., other Russian dignitaries, and State Department Personnel. 2/4/1974, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Henry Kissinger, Andrey A. Gromyko, Viktor M. Sukhodrev, Interpreter and Counselor for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the U.S.S.R., Anatoliy F. Dobrynin, Ambassador from the U.S.S.R., Helmut Sonnenfeldt, and Walter J. Stoessel.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2167-11A-21A, President Nixon and Secretary of State Henry Kissinger meeting with Andrey A. Gromyko, Foreign Minister of the U.S.S.R., Soviet Ambassador Anatoly Dobrynin, and other Russian dignitaries, and State Department Personnel. 2/4/1974, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Henry Kissinger, Andrey A. Gromyko, Viktor M. Sukhodrev, Anatoly F. Dobrynin, Ambassador from the U.S.S.R., Helmut Sonnenfeldt, Walter J. Stoessel, and the members of the Press.

    Roll WHPO-E2168 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2168-, President Nixon and Secretary of State Henry Kissinger meeting with Andrey A. Gromyko, Foreign Minister of the U.S.S.R., other Russian dignitaries, and State Department Personnel. 2/4/1974, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Henry Kissinger, Andrey A. Gromyko, Viktor M. Sukhodrev, Interpreter and Counselor for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the U.S.S.R., Anatoliy F. Dobrynin, Ambassador from the U.S.S.R., Helmut Sonnenfeldt, Walter Stoessel, and the Press.

    Roll WHPO-E2169 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2169-, Candid shots of President Nixon during a meeting with Andrey A. Gromyko, Foreign Minister of the U.S.S.R. 2/4/1974, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon.

    Roll WHPO-E2170 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2170-, Mrs. Anne Armstrong meets with Mrs. Sargent, wife of the Governor of Massachusetts. 2/4/1974, Washington, D.C. Mrs. Anne Armstrong and Mrs. Sargent, wife of the Governor of Massachusetts.

  • 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-258
      VP briefing members of the Brookings Institute-Family Theater. (2/4/1974)

      Runtime: 43:15:00

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

    K - Informal Presidential Remarks

    • WHCA-SR-K-142
      Funeral service for Murray Chotiner-Washington Hebrew Congregation Temple. (2/4/1974)

      Runtime: 0:45

      Keywords: Church service, worship service, prayer service, religion

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

    P - Formal Presidential Remarks

    • WHCA-SR-P-740203
      Remarks by President Nixon at signing of the budget. (2/4/1974)

      Runtime: 5:25

      Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.
    • WHCA-SR-P-740204
      Photo opportunity with Soviet FM Andrei Gromyko. (2/4/1974)

      Runtime: 1:41

      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-472
      Press briefing by Gerald Warren. (2/4/1974, White House Press Lobby)

      Runtime: 35:00:00

      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-473
      Press pool report on photo opportunity with the President and Soviet Foreign Minister Andrei Gromyko. (2/4/1974, White House Press Lobby)

      Runtime: 5:00

      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-474
      Briefing by Herbert Stein, Fred Malek, Kenneth Cole, and O'Neill for business and government officials on the budget, State of the Union, and the economy. (2/4/1974, EOB Conference Room (450))

      Runtime: 1:12:00

      Keywords: Briefings, private briefings

      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-475
      Press briefing by Gerald Warren. (2/4/1974, White House Press Lobby)

      Runtime: 5:45

      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.

  • 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-6774
      "Martin Agronsky: Evening Edition".
      ALL NETWORKS
      Runtime: 00:23:47
    • WHCA-6775
      "Washington Straight Talk".
      ALL NETWORKS
      Runtime: 00:30:42
    • WHCA-6776
      "Metro Media News".
      ALL NETWORKS
      Runtime: 01:01:46
    • WHCA-6783
      Weekly News Summary, Tape I.
      ALL NETWORKS
      Runtime: 01:01:50

      1. Smith/Landay/Clark: The budget and Congressional reaction with President Nixon and Shultz. Time Code Start: 00:00. Keywords: Presidents, House of Representatives, economy, economics, budgets, finances, recession, inflation, money, wages, costs, unemployment, prices. Network: ABC.

      2. Smith/Jarriel: E. Howard Hunt appeals and the John Dean controversy. Time Code Start: 04:47. Keywords: advisors, attorneys, lawyers, national security, intelligence gathering, covert activities, spying, espionage, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals. Network: ABC.

      3. Smith/Schoumacher: Krogh begins his sentence. Time Code Start: 06:47. Keywords: Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals, impeachment, resignations. Network: ABC.

      4. Smith/Koppel: United Nations (U.N.) Ambassador Gromyko, Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Secretary of State Kissinger meet with President Nixon. Time Code Start: 09:10. Keywords: SALT, S.A.L.T., Strategic Arms Limitation Talks, Russia, Soviet Union, USSR, Cold War, détente, Ambassadors, cabinet, advisors, organization of nations, intergovernmental alliance. Network: ABC.

      5. Smith: Commentary on the U.S. spirit. Time Code Start: 11:00. Keywords: American, patriotism, patriotic, politics, psychology. Network: ABC.

      6. Chancellor/Levine: The federal budget. Time Code Start: 12:45. Keywords: economy, economics, budgets, finances, recession, inflation, money, wages, costs, unemployment, prices. Network: NBC.

      7. Chancellor/Valeriani: Secretary of State Kissinger and Gromyko. Time Code Start: 15:33. Keywords: cabinet, advisors, Russia, Soviet Union, USSR, ministers, leaders. Network: NBC.

      8. Chancellor/Brokaw: John Dean controversy with Watergate case Special Prosecutor Jaworski. Time Code Start: 17:12. Keywords: law officials, attorneys, lawyers, appointments, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals. Network: NBC.

      9. Chancellor/Cochran: Krogh begins prison sentence. Time Code Start: 20:02. Keywords: Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals, impeachment, resignations. Network: NBC.

      10. Chancellor: The Nixons attend Chotiner's funeral (President Nixon, Pat Nixon). Time Code Start: 21:32. Keywords: Presidents, families, wife, death memorials, burials, internments, religious services, funerals. Network: NBC.

      11. Chancellor/Kiker: Special election in Pennsylvania. Time Code Start: 22:07. Keywords: elections, campaigns, campaigning, candidates. Network: NBC.

      12. Cronkite/Graham: Watergate information and Krogh. Time Code Start: 25:04. Keywords: Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals, impeachment, resignations. Network: CBS.

      13. Cronkite/Rather: Federal budget; Secretary of State Kissinger; United Nations (U.N.) Ambassador Gromyko, Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs. Time Code Start: 27:14. Keywords: SALT, S.A.L.T., Strategic Arms Limitation Talks, Russia, Soviet Union, USSR, Cold War, détente, Ambassadors, cabinet, advisors, organization of nations, intergovernmental alliance. Network: CBS.

      14. Cronkite/Dean: Special election in Pennsylvania. Time Code Start: 30:00. Keywords: elections, campaigns, campaigning, candidates. Network: CBS.

Context (External Sources)