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January 11, 1971

Introduction

This almanac page for Monday, January 11, 1971, 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, January 10, 1971

Next Date: Tuesday, January 12, 1971

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 San Clemente, California

  • 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.

    No Federal Register published on this date

  • Argued

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 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.

    • Transcript of diary entry (PDF)
      Monday, January 11.

      The President is still in San Clemente and I'm still in Palm Springs. He called and really had very little to cover. He did get into the question of follow-up on getting our poll information out, which is the one thing he seems to be particularly concerned with. He had spent the morning trying to decide whether to go back to Washington today or not. We finally, after a full morning's maneuvering involving Ehrlichman, Rebozo, Rose Woods, and me, ended up deciding to stay out here until Thursday. In the interim, the President proposed a whole series of alternatives for Nebraska one-by-one, including: canceling the whole thing; moving it up to Tuesday and doing it on the way back; going back on Tuesday and coming back out to Nebraska on Thursday or next Monday, etcetera. We finally convinced him it should be left the way it is, and that he should just suffer through the time here and go on. The problem is, the weather's bad at San Clemente and not too much better at the desert, and he's getting antsy.

      -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      PRIVACY- Reviewed and released under Deed of Gift, DR, NARA, September 11, 2014
      Audio Cassette 03, Side A.
      Duration: 30 seconds

      Also the Drowns staying on through the weekend greatly accelerated it, and as a matter of fact, Ehrlichman says that the President spent most of the two-hour session John had with him this morning discussing how to get the Drowns out of his hair in future visits. This had also been thoroughly discussed with Bebe and Rose earlier. It really is a sad situation but until the President and Mrs. Nixon step up to it there’s no solution.
      -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

      I called Connally, finally, to follow up on his conversation with the President regarding Presidential PR; and he basically recapped the same things he had told the President, and that the President had passed on to me already. He did make the point that he had met last week with a small group of the top bankers in New York, and had taken the opportunity to devote 15 minutes of his conversation with them to just talking about the President, and what kind of a man he is. In doing so, he made the points: that the President has the best concept of his problems than any man Connally knows; that he is isolated to a certain extent, as any President has to be; that he has allocated his time better than any man he has ever seen; that he has an extremely competent staff and delegates more than any other President, and it's the only way a President can operate effectively; that he is highly disciplined mentally and physically; knows his people, their strengths and weaknesses, and his adversaries and their strengths and weaknesses, both foreign and domestic; that he's ruthless enough to be a great President.

      And he feels that we should get all the Cabinet and staff getting out this same kind of picture of the President at every possible opportunity. We have a good selling point in the basis that the President surrounds himself with strong men, which only a really strong man can do; and the Cabinet members, therefore, should sell themselves and build themselves up, as well as the President. The staff should not be built up, he feels. He also feels that a press man or a PR man can't do this, because he spoon-feeds the stuff we want the press to know, and that the effective salesmanship in this area comes from the unexpected source. He also made a fascinating political point, which is that there's nothing wrong with having certain elements against us. He made this in the context of the press conference and its adversary nature, which he thinks is good. His point is that the basic political rule is to pick your enemies carefully, and then hang on to them, but be sure they're always the same ones. This is something we haven't consciously or adequately done.

      End of January 11.
    • Original audio recording (MP3)

  • 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. V, United Nations, 1969-1972

    Committee of 24

    Vol. XVII, China, 1969-1972

    Questions Pertaining to Tibet, 1969-1972

    • 278. Memorandum Prepared for the 40 Committee, Washington, January 11, 1971

      Source: National Security Council, Nixon Intelligence Files, Tibet. Secret; Eyes Only. A handwritten note on the first page reads: “Approved by the 40 Committee on 31 March 1971.” This issue was discussed briefly at the March 31 meeting of the 40 Committee held in San Clemente, California. According to the minutes of the meeting, Kissinger asked, “Does this have any direct benefit to us?” U. Alexis Johnson replied, “It keeps him [the Dalai Lama] alive.” David Blee of CIA added, “It helps in Buddhist countries.” Kissinger then asked what would happen if the Dalai Lama died. Blee replied that a committee of lamas would meet to find a new Dalai Lama. Kissinger asked, “He will be one of the people outside Tibet?” Blee replied, “Yes, They have lots of people outside. The program this year amounts to $363,000. It will go down to $263,000 in FY 72.” Johnson, representing the Department of State, said, “We have no problem with this.” Kissinger asked if everyone agreed on this item, and the minutes indicate that “All agreed.” The 40 Committee also discussed Tibetan paramilitary forces at this meeting and approved a CIA proposal to continue to reduce the forces from 1,800 to 300 over the next 3 years (see Document 273). (Minutes of the 40 Committee meeting, March 31; National Security Council, Nixon Intelligence Files, 303/40 Committee Files, 1971 Minutes) The CIA report on U.S.-supported paramilitary activities in the region is in Department of State, INR/IL Historical Files, 40 Committee Files, 1971.

    Vol. XX, Southeast Asia, 1969-1972

    Thailand

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

    • 195. Minutes of a Senior Review Group Meeting, Washington, January 11, 1971, 10:55-11:45 a.m.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–112, Senior Review Group, SRG Minutes (Originals) 1971. Secret. The meeting was held in the White House Situation Room.

    Vol. XXXVI, Energy Crisis, 1969-1974

    March 10, 1970-April 2, 1971

    Vol. E-2, Documents on Arms Control and Nonproliferation, 1969-1972

    Nuclear Test Ban Issues; Peaceful Nuclear Explosions

  • 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-5449 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-5449-04-25, White House, as viewed from the Executive Office Building, during the night. 1/11/1971, Washington, D.C. White House.

    Roll WHPO-5450 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-5450-04-08, Plaque designating Nebraska as the Associated Press Number One football team in the nation. 1/11/1971, Washington, D.C. unknown. Harry Dent, unidentified men.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-5450-09-18, Nebraska Football Team of 1970 gift presentation to Harry Dent. 1/11/1971, Washington, D.C. unknown. Harry Dent, unidentified men.

    Roll WHPO-5451 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-5451-03-09, Unidentified men working in a hallway. 1/11/1971, Washington, D.C. unknown. unidentified men.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-5451-10-18, Vice President Agnew sitting at a conference table with White House Fellows. 1/11/1971, Washington, D.C. unknown. Spiro Agnew, White House Fellows.

  • 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.

    G - Cabinet Officer Briefings

    • WHCA-SR-G-072
      Briefing by Undersecretary of Treasury Charles Walker and Deputy Undersecretary Nolan, with Ronald Ziegler at the Surf and Sand Hotel, Laguna Beach, California. (1/11/1971, Surf and Sand Hotel, Laguna Beach, California)

      Runtime: 32:00:00

      Production credits: Audio feed supplied by WHCA; Recorded by FMO (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-318
      National Security Council briefing with Henry Kissinger and Henry Fowler to Americans for Winning the Peace; OFF THE RECORD. (1/11/1971, East Room, White House)

      Runtime: 1:30:00

      Keywords: Briefings, private briefings

      Production credits: Audio feed supplied by WHCA; Recorded by LRR (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-4089
      Weekly News Summary, Tape I.
      ALL NETWORKS
      Runtime: 1:00

      3. Reasoner: Muskie's Trio. Time Code Start: 03:50. Keywords: Presidents, Presidential elections, campaigns, campaigning, candidates. Network: ABC.

      4. Smith/Rukeyser: President Nixon ups the economy. Time Code Start: 04:54. Keywords: Presidents, economy, economics, budgets, finances, recession, inflation, money. Network: ABC.

      5. Smith: Volunteer Army. Time Code Start: 06:58. Keywords: Armed Forces, military, conscription, enlistment, recruitment, volunteers, laws, Vietnam War, draft reform, draft evasion. Network: ABC.

      6. Brinkley: Secretary of Defense Laird in Vietnam; encouraged by troop withdrawal progress, Vietnamization. Morale a problem; incidents detailed. Time Code Start: 09:11. Keywords: military, cabinet, advisors, travel, trips, Vietnam War. Network: NBC.

      7. Brinkley: Selective Service and All Volunteer Army; Draft Director says colleges holding necessary documentation for student deferments. Time Code Start: 11:18. Keywords: military, conscription, selective service, lottery, laws, Vietnam War, universities, complaints, draft reform, draft evasion. Network: NBC.

      8. Mudd/Herman: President Nixon approves tax reduction for business, hoping that business invest more in new equipment; Treasury Secretary David Kennedy. Time Code Start: 14:08. Keywords: taxes, taxation, reductions, revenue, businesses, investments, technology. Network: CBS.

      9. Mudd: Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman John Stennis wants military draft extended, preparing legislature to require Congressional action before forces committed to extended hostilities. Time Code Start: 16:38. Keywords: Senators, speeches, Vietnam War, military, conscription, selective service, lottery, laws, draft reform, draft evasion. Network: CBS.

      10. Sevareid: President Nixon and the Administration. Time Code Start: 18:45. Keywords: Presidents, cabinet, advisors. Network: CBS.

Context (External Sources)