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February 8, 1974

Introduction

This almanac page for Friday, February 8, 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: Thursday, February 7, 1974

Next Date: Saturday, February 9, 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. XXVI, Arab-Israeli Dispute, 1974-1976

    Syrian-Israeli Disengagement Agreement, January-May 1974

    • 23. Memorandum of Conversation, Washington, February 8, 1974, 4:20-5:40 p.m.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Records of Henry Kissinger, 1973–77, Box 1, Nodis Memcons, September–December, Folder 3. Confidential. The meeting was held in the Conference Room on the Seventh Floor of the Department of State. Brackets are in the original. A list of the attendees, which includes their positions in the business community, is attached but not printed.

    Vol. XXX, Greece; Cyprus; Turkey, 1973-1976

    Greece

    Vol. XXXV, National Security Policy, 1973-1976

    Intelligence and the Experiment in Competitive Analysis

    • 142. Memorandum of Conversation, Washington, February 8, 1974, 2:37-3:35 p.m.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Presidential/HAK Memcons, Box 1028, Memcons—HAK & Presidential, January 1–February 28, 1974 [1 of 3]. Secret; Sensitive. The meeting was held in the White House Cabinet Room.

    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

    Organizing for Defense, Economic, and Global Issues

    • 170. National Security Decision Memorandum 244, Washington, February 8, 1974

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–244, National Security Decision Memoranda, NSDM 244. Confidential. Copies were sent to the Secretary of Commerce and the Special Representative for Trade Negotiations. An earlier version of the NSDM omitted the Director of the Office of Management and Budget from the recipient list. (Ibid., RG 59, Records of the Office of the Counselor—Helmut Sonnenfeldt, Entry 5339, Box 4, Energy) The NSDM is also printed in Foreign Relations, 1969–1976, vol. XXXVI, Energy Crisis, 1969–1974, Docu-ment 310.

    Vol. E-11, Part 1, Documents on Mexico; Central America; and the Caribbean, 1973-1976

    Mexico

    • 64. Telegram 26443 From the Department of State to the Embassy in Mexico, Washington, February 8, 1974, 1716Z

      Summary: The Department reported on a February 2 meeting between Kissinger and Rabasa in which Rabasa raised various bilateral and multilateral issues and in which Kissinger expressed U.S. concern about the narcotics problem.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Country Files, Box 788, Latin America, Mexico, Vol. IV, 1973. Confidential; Priority; Exdis. Drafted by Torrey. Cleared by Kubisch and Luers, and approved by Eagleburger. All brackets are in the original except “[ Kubisch]”, added for clarity. In anticipation of this meeting with Rabasa, Kubisch transmitted to Kissinger talking points and a briefing paper on the narcotics problem under cover of a January 23 memorandum. (Ibid., RG 59, ARA/MEX Files, Lot 77D57, SOC 11–5 Narcotics, 1973)

    Costa Rica

    • 118. Telegram 508 From the Embassy in Costa Rica to the Department of State, San José, February 8, 1974, 1940Z

      Summary: President-elect Oduber discussed his plans and the state of U.S.-Costa Rican relations with Vaky.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, [no film number]. Confidential. In telegram 491 from San José, February 8, the Embassy described the political situation that Oduber would confront as he came into office, noting that “Figueres’s personal desires and political directions will have to be taken into serious consideration by Oduber.” (Ibid.)

    Vol. E-12, Documents on East and Southeast Asia, 1973-1976

    Japan

    • 186. Memorandum From W.R. Smyser of the National Security Council staff to the Secretary of State Kissinger, Washington, February 8, 1974., Washington, February 8, 1974

      Smyser informed Kissinger that Japan basically supported the U.S. position on energy matters.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 539, Country Files, Far East, Japan, Vol. 11, 1 January 1974–. Secret; Sensitive; Eyes Only. Sent for urgent information. Kissinger initialed the memorandum. On January 14, Smyser produced a similar memorandum, which Kissinger initialed, that stated, “the Japanese, though subject to some constraints, are prepared to react positively to our proposals for an Energy Action Group and for greater cooperation among the oil consuming nations. Their position arises from the general desire to work with us as well as from their awareness that they can be destroyed more quickly than anybody else if the oil producers get the upper hand.” (Smyser and Froebe to Kissinger, January 4; ibid.)

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

    Population Policy

    Food Policy

    • 136. Memorandum From Robert Morris of the Council on International Economic Policy Staff to the Assistant Director for Natural Resources of the Domestic Council (Ross), Washington, February 8, 1974., Washington, February 8, 1974

      Morris summarized current U.S. positions and outlined strategies to create a comprehensive policy for international food and agricultural issues.

      Source: Ford Library, Leach Files, Box 9, World Food, Nov. 1973–Apr. 1974. Limited Official Use. Copies were sent to Hinton, Wood, and Flanigan. CIEP Study Memorandum 30 (“U.S. Policy on National and International Stocks of Agricultural Commodities”), undated, and CIEP Study Memorandum 31 (“Agricultural Programs for LDC’s”), dated December 5, 1973, are both in the National Archives, RG 429, Records on the Council on International Economic Policy, Study Memoranda 1971–1974, Box 256, CIEPSMs (CIEP Study Memoranda—Index & Copy). Additional documentation on the “Nixon Food Plan” is scheduled for publication in Foreign Relations, 1969–1976, volume XXXI, Foreign Economic Policy, 1973–1976.

  • 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-E2190 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2190-, President Nixon met to discuss truck stoppages by independent operators with Attorney General William B. Saxbe, Secretary Claude S. Brinegar, Under Secretary Richard F. Schubert, William J. Usery, Jr., William E. Simon, and others including the Press. 2/8/1974, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Attorney General William B. Saxbe, Secretary Claude S. Brinegar, Under Secretary Richard F. Schubert, William J. Usery, Jr., William E. Simon, Frank G. Zarb, Alexander M. Haig, Michael R. Duval, and members of the Press.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2190-12A, President Nixon met to discuss truck stoppages by independent operators with Attorney General William B. Saxbe, Secretary Claude S. Brinegar, Under Secretary Richard F. Schubert, William J. Usery, Jr., William E. Simon, and others including the Press. 2/8/1974, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Attorney General William B. Saxbe, Secretary Claude S. Brinegar, Under Secretary Richard F. Schubert, William J. Usery, Jr., William E. Simon.

    Roll WHPO-E2191 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2191-02A-06A, Vice President Ford meets with Wally Hickel. 2/8/1974, Washington, D.C. Vice President Ford, Wally Hickel.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2191-09A-10A, President Nixon and Secretary of State Henry Kissinger met to discuss current international issues with members of the President's Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board. 2/8/1974, Washington, D.C. White House, Cabinet Room. President Nixon, Henry Kissinger, Maj. Gen. Brent G. Scowcroft, Adm. George W. Anderson, Jr., USN (Ret.), Chairman of the PFIAB William O. Baker, Robert W. Galvin, Nelson A. Rockefeller, Clare Boothe Luce, Edwin H. Land, Gordon Gray, Edward Teller.

    Roll WHPO-E2192 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2192-01A-05A, Pat Nixon at reception for National Volunteer Service Advisory Council at Tayloe House. 2/8/1974, Washington, D.C. Tayloe House. Pat Nixon, members of the National Volunteer Service Advisory Council.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2192-06A, President Nixon and Pat Nixon having dinner at Trader Vic's Restaurant, Statler Hilton Hotel, with Nixon family members, Vice President and Mrs. Ford, and others. 2/8/1974, Washington, D.C. Trader Vic's Restaurant, Statler Hilton Hotel. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Julie Eisenhower, David Eisenhower, Vice President Ford, Betty Ford, Senate Minority Leader Senator Hugh Scott, Mrs. Hugh Scott, Congressman Rhodes, Mrs. John Rhodes, Clare Booth Luce, Gregg Petersmeyer, Honorable Wylie Buchanan, Mrs. Wylie Buchanan.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2192-06A-11A, President Nixon and Pat Nixon having dinner at Trader Vic's Restaurant, Statler Hilton Hotel, with Nixon family members, Vice President and Mrs. Ford, and others. 2/8/1974, Washington, D.C. Trader Vic's Restaurant, Statler Hilton Hotel. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Julie Eisenhower, David Eisenhower, Vice President Ford, Betty Ford, Senate Minority Leader Senator Hugh Scott, Mrs. Hugh Scott, Congressman Rhodes, Mrs. John Rhodes, Clare Booth Luce, Gregg Petersmeyer, Honorable Wylie Buchanan, Mrs. Wylie Buchanan.

    Roll WHPO-E2193 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2193-, President Nixon met to discuss truck stoppages by independent operators with William B. Saxbe, Attorney General, Claude S. Brinegar, Sec. of Transportation, William Usery, Jr., William E. Simon, Frank Zarb and others. 2/8/1974, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, William B. Saxbe, Claude S. Brinegar, William Usery Jr., William E. Simon, Frank Zarb, Alexander Haig, Michael R. Duval and Members of the Press.

    Roll WHPO-E2194 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2194-01-02, Chuck Wardell sitting at the President's desk in the Oval Office. 2/8/1974, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. Chuck Wardell.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2194-01-09, Snow scenes at White House. 2/8/1974, Washington, D.C. White House.

  • 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-136
      WHCA commanders call, with General Adams, Lt. Colonel Ogden, Major Nelson, and Colonel Bishop [not received by NARA]. (2/8/1974)

      Runtime: 85:00:00

      Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.
    • WHCA-SR-I-137
      [Continuation of I-136] [not received by NARA]. (2/8/1974)

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

    K - Informal Presidential Remarks

    • WHCA-SR-K-144
      Photo opportunity-Oval Office. (2/8/1974)

      Runtime: 0:37

      Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.
    • WHCA-SR-K-145
      Photo opportunity upon departure from Trader Vic's. (2/8/1974)

      Runtime: 2:50

      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-483
      Press briefing by Gerald Warren. (2/8/1974, White House Press Lobby)

      Runtime: 23:35

      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-484
      Press briefing by the Federal Energy Office on the truckers' strike. (2/8/1974, White House Press Lobby)

      Runtime: 32:25:00

      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-485
      Press briefing by Gerald Warren. (2/8/1974, White House Press Lobby)

      Runtime: 7:10

      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-6784
      Weekly News Summary, Tape II.
      ALL NETWORKS
      Runtime: 01:32:50

      47. Chancellor: Skylab III returns. Time Code Start: 86:16. Keywords: NASA, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, space program, astronauts, space stations. Network: NBC.

      48. Chancellor/Graham: Attorney General Saxbe and group to go to White House to talk. Time Code Start: 89:18. Keywords: cabinet, advisors, Presidents, meetings. Network: NBC.

      49. Chancellor/Hager: Pennsylvania Governor talks to truckers. Time Code Start: 91:00. Keywords: Governors, meetings, strikes, agreements, settlements, petroleum, oil, gasoline, fuel, shortages, rationing, laws, protests, speed limitations, trucks, truckers, truck drivers, cargo transportation, hauling, costs, transportation. Network: NBC.
    • WHCA-6785
      Weekly News Summary, Tape III.
      ALL NETWORKS

      1. Cronkite/Brokaw: Watergate related developments. Time Code Start: 00:00. Keywords: Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals, impeachment, resignations. Network: NBC.

      2. Chancellor/Cochran: President Nixon's trip to hospital cancelled because of weather. Time Code Start: 02:16. Keywords: Presidents, travel, trips, Nixon trips, domestic, hospitals, cancellations. Network: NBC.

      3. Chancellor: Wounded Knee elections (American Indians). Time Code Start: 03:21. Keywords: American Indians, Native Americans, tribes, American Indian Movement, occupations, elections, leaders. Network: NBC.

      4. Cronkite/Rather: White House to hold firm on truck settlement. Time Code Start: 03:56. Keywords: Presidents, strikes, agreements, settlements, petroleum, oil, gasoline, fuel, shortages, rationing, laws, protests, speed limitations, trucks, truckers, truck drivers, cargo transportation, hauling, costs, transportation. Network: CBS.

      5. Cronkite: Governor Schapp of Pennsylvania talks to truckers. Time Code Start: 05:40. Keywords: Governors, meetings, strikes, agreements, settlements, petroleum, oil, gasoline, fuel, shortages, rationing, laws, protests, speed limitations, trucks, truckers, truck drivers, cargo transportation, hauling, costs, transportation. Network: CBS.

      6. Cronkite/Drinkwater: Oregon's successful gas rationing. Time Code Start: 07:31. Keywords: energy, petroleum, oil supply, gasoline, fuel, shortages, rationing, natural resources. Network: CBS.

      7. Cronkite: Russia wants U.S. military bases out of Iceland. Time Code Start: 09:50. Keywords: Russia, USSR, Soviet Union, Armed Forces, military, air bases, airfields, airports, troops, withdrawals. Network: CBS.

      8. Cronkite/Graham: Watergate related developments. Time Code Start: 10:25. Keywords: Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals, impeachment, resignations. Network: CBS.

      9. Cronkite/Plante: Wounded Knee elections (American Indians). Time Code Start: 12:00. Keywords: American Indians, Native Americans, tribes, American Indian Movement, occupations, elections, leaders. Network: CBS.

Context (External Sources)