January 17, 1974

The Daily Diary files represent a consolidated record of the President's activities. Visit the finding aid to learn more.

• Original typewritten diary (PDF)

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.

• Remarks About an Egyptian-Israeli Agreement on Disengagement of Military Forces.
• Executive Order 11762—Delegating to the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs Certain Authority Relating to Grants-in-Aid to the Republic of the Philippines for Medical Care and Treatment of Veterans
• Executive Order 11761—To Facilitate Coordination of Federal Education Programs
• Executive Order 11760—Designating the European Space Research Organization (ESRO) as a Public International Organization Entitled to Enjoy Certain Privileges, Exemptions, and Immunities
• Executive Order 11763—Establishing a National Commission for the Observance of World Population Year
• Statement About the Death of Frederick A. Seaton

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.

• Federal Register of Thursday, January 17, 1974

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.

• News Summaries, Unmarked News Summaries, Box 65, News Summaries - January 1974 [4 of 16] [Note: Due to the way News Summary products were compiled, you should also consult nearby days for potentially relevant materials.]
  • News Summary, January 17, 1974, (Wed. nets, wires)
• News Summaries, Unmarked News Summaries, Box 65, News Summaries - January 1974 [5 of 16]
  • Digest of Recent Comment, (Thurs. AM), January 17, 1974

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.

• President's Speech File
  • Box 89, Thursday, January 17, 1973, Disengagement

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

• Text search for January 17, 1974
• Date search for January 17, 1974

All National Archives Units

• Text search for January 17, 1974
• Date search for January 17, 1974

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.

• President's Daily Brief of 17 January 1974

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

First Egyptian-Israeli Disengagement Agreement, January 1974

• 9. Memorandum of Conversation, Jerusalem, January 17, 1974, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Kissinger Office Files, Box 140, Country Files, Middle East, Secretary Kissinger’s Middle East Trip, January 11–20, 1974, Memcons and Reports, Folder 2. Top Secret; Sensitive; Exclusively Eyes Only. The meeting was held in Secretary Kissinger’s suite at the King David Hotel. Brackets, with the exception of ones describing omitted material, are in the original.

• 10. Telegram From Secretary of State Kissinger to the Mission to the United Nations, Jerusalem, January 17, 1974, 0131Z

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Kissinger Office Files, Box 133, Country Files, Middle East, Egypt, Volume 9, January 1974. Secret; Niact Immediate; Exdis (Distribute as Nodis Cherokee). Also sent Niact Immediate to USNATO. Repeated Immediate to Tel Aviv, Geneva for MEPC Del, and Cairo. According to Kissinger’s Record of Schedule, he was in Jerusalem until 8:30 a.m. and then left by train for Lod Airport in Tel Aviv. (Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Kissinger Papers, Box 438, Miscellany, 1968–76)

• 11. Letter From President Nixon to Egyptian President Sadat, Washington, January 17, 1974

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 1180, Harold H. Saunders Files, Middle East Peace Negotiations, January 10–17, 1974. Secret. According to Kissinger’s memoirs, the text of the letter was drafted by Kissinger’s negotiating team. (Years of Upheaval, p. 833)

• 12. Letter From President Nixon to Israeli Prime Minister Meir, Washington, January 17, 1974

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 1180, Harold H. Saunders Files, Middle East Peace Negotiations, January 10–17, 1974. Secret.

• 13. Letter From President Nixon to Egyptian President Sadat, Washington, January 17, 1974

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Kissinger Office Files, Box 133, Country Files, Middle East, Egypt, Volume 10, February 1974. Secret. According to Kissinger’s memoirs, Kissinger drafted the letter himself. (Years of Upheaval, pp. 834–835)

Vol. XXXV, National Security Policy, 1973-1976

National Security Policy

• 31. National Security Decision Memorandum 242, Washington, January 17, 1974

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 364, Subject Files, NSDMs 145–264. Top Secret; Sensitive. Copies were sent to Ray and Moorer.

• 32. National Security Study Memorandum 191, Washington, January 17, 1974

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 365, Subject Files, NSSMs Nos. 104–206. Top Secret; Sensitive. Copies were sent to Ray and Moorer.

Vol. E-8, Documents on South Asia, 1973-1976

Indian Ocean Region

• 65. Memorandum From the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for European and NATO Affairs (Bergold) to the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Security Assistance (Peet), Washington, January 17, 1974

  Assistant Secretary Harold Bergold informed Vice Admiral Ray Peet of the British response to the United States’ Diego Garcia expansion proposal.
  
  Source: Washington National Records Center, OSD Files: 330–78–0011, 323:3, Box 64, Indian Ocean. Secret. Attached is Peet’s January 17 memorandum to Department of State negotiator Seymour Weiss, containing an overview of proposed improvements to Diego Garcia. Also attached but not printed are a draft modification of the 1966 agreement establishing the original base, a further elaboration of the rationale for expansion, and a list of Congressional contacts.

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

Food Policy

• 134. Telegram 10697 From the Department of State to All Diplomatic Posts, January 17, 1974, 2048Z., January 17, 1974, 2048Z

  The Department updated posts on matters pertaining to the upcoming World Food Conference.
  
  Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files. Limited Official Use. Drafted Martin; cleared in EB/OFP, EUR/RPE, NEA/RA, AF/EPS, IO/AGR, USDA, STR, and NSC; and approved by Martin. Also sent to Geneva for UNCTAD, Rome for FODAG, and Dakar. Repeated to all Consulates.

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.

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-E2086 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-E2086-03A-07A, a dozen unidentified White House staff members seated in a small dining room for a staff prayer breakfast. 1/17/1974, Washington, D. C. Unidentified room. unidentified staff members.

Roll WHPO-E2087 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-E2087-02-06, President Nixon seated at his Oval Office desk during a meeting with Kenneth Cole, Executive Director of the Domestic Council, and James Lynn, Secretary of HUD, to discuss short-term housing proposals. 1/17/1974, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Kenneth R. Cole, and James T. Lynn.
• Frame(s): WHPO-E2087-09-13, President Nixon seated at his Oval Office desk during a meeting with Peter J. Brennan, Secretary of Labor, to discuss pension reform legislation and employment problems resulting from the energy crisis. 1/17/1974, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon and Peter J. Brennan.

Roll WHPO-E2088 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-E2088-, President Nixon met with The Earl of Cromer, departing Ambassador from the United Kingdom to the U.S. 1/17/1974, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Ambassador Cromer, and Major General Brent G. Scowcroft, Deputy Assistant.

Roll WHPO-E2089 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-E2089-, President Nixon announcing the conclusion of an Egyptian-Israeli agreement on the disengagement and separation of their military forces. 1/17/1974, Washington, D.C. Press Room, White House. President Nixon, Ronald L. Ziegler, Assistant and Press Secretary, Members of the press, reporters.
• Frame(s): WHPO-E2089-08A, President Nixon announcing the conclusion of an Egyptian-Israeli agreement on the disengagement and separation of their military forces. Reporters are seated nearby. 1/17/1974, Washington, D.C. Press Room, White House. President Nixon, reporters.

Roll WHPO-E2090 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-E2090-, President Nixon announcing the conclusion of an Egyptian-Israeli agreement on the disengagement and separation of their military forces. 1/17/1974, Washington, D.C. Press Room, White House. President Nixon, Ronald L. Ziegler, Assistant and Press Secretary, Members of the press.

Roll WHPO-E2091 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-E2091-, President Nixon announcing the conclusion of an Egyptian-Israeli agreement on the disengagement and separation of their military forces. 1/17/1974, Washington, D.C. Press Room, White House. President Nixon, Ronald L. Ziegler, Assistant and Press Secretary, Members of the press.

Roll WHPO-E2092 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-E2092-, On the day of the Middle East cease fire announcement, President Nixon seated in his EOB office easy chair, while speaking on the telephone with Secretary of State Henry Kissinger (in Israel) about a negotiation mission. This is the day of the announcement of the Middle East cease-fire. 1/17/1974, Washington, D.C. President's Executive Office Building Office. President Nixon.
• Frame(s): WHPO-E2092-05, On the day of the Middle East cease fire announcement, President Nixon seated in his Executive Office Building EOB easy chair, while speaking on the telephone with Secretary of State Henry Kissinger (in Israel) about a negotiation mission. This is the day of the announcement of the Middle East cease-fire. 1/17/1974, Washington, D.C. President's Executive Office Building Office. President Nixon.

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-740101
  Photo opportunity with the Earl of Cromer. (1/17/1974)
  
  Runtime: 1:59
  
  Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.
• WHCA-SR-P-740102
  Televised statement on the Arab-Israeli Agreement. (1/17/1974)
  
  Runtime: 5:54
  
  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-447
  Press briefing by Gerald Warren. (1/17/1974, White House Press Lobby)
  
  Runtime: 44:05:00
  
  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.

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-6741
  Network News Converge. Coverage of President Nixon's announcement and remarks concerning the Egyptian-Israeli Agreement on Military Forces Disengagement FTN: William Ruckelshaus; "MTP": Sen. Russell Long; "I&A": Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
  CBS, NBC, ABC
  Runtime: 00:15:00
• WHCA-6742
  CBS Special: "Mideast Alert". Egil Krogh and Neil Gallagher.
  CBS
  Runtime: 0:30
• WHCA-6747
  Weekly News Summary, Tape II.
  ALL NETWORKS
  
  14. Smith: Middle East agreement. Time Code Start: 29:08. Keywords: Middle East, Mideast, war, travel, trips, truces, treaty, treaties, negotiations. Network: ABC.
  
  15. Reasoner/Koppel: Terms of Middle East agreement. Time Code Start: 30:35. Keywords: Middle East, Mideast, war, travel, trips, truces, treaty, treaties, negotiations. Network: ABC.
  
  16. Smith/Wordham/Jarriel/Schoumacher: FBI investigates White House tapes. Time Code Start: 32:58. Keywords: Federal Bureau of Investigations, bugging, bugs, wiretapping, wire taps, surveillance, spying, recordings, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, scandals. Network: ABC.
  
  17. Reasoner/Dobbs: Vice President Gerald Ford in Michigan. Time Code Start: 37:19. Keywords: Vice Presidents, travel, trips. Network: ABC.
  
  18. Smith/Gill: White House response to tapes. Time Code Start: 40:16. Keywords: bugging, bugs, wiretapping, wire taps, surveillance, spying, recordings, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, scandals. Network: ABC.
  
  19. Reasoner: Commentary on income taxes. Time Code Start: 42:38. Keywords: taxes, taxation, revenue. Network: ABC.
  
  20. Chancellor/Valeriani/Dancy: President Nixon announces the Middle East disengagement with details. Time Code Start: 44:46. Keywords: Presidents, speeches, statements, Middle East, Mideast, war, truces, treaty, treaties. Network: NBC.
  
  21. Chancellor/Brokaw: The White House tapes. Time Code Start: 51:50. Keywords: bugging, bugs, wiretapping, wire taps, surveillance, spying, recordings, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, scandals. Network: NBC.
  
  22. Chancellor/Stern: Testimony about the tapes in Federal court; Secret Service and FBI investigations. Time Code Start: 53:11. Keywords: Federal Bureau of Investigations, bugging, bugs, wiretapping, wire taps, surveillance, spying, recordings, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, scandals. Network: NBC.
  
  23. Chancellor: Vice President Gerald Ford's reaction to the tapes disclosures. Time Code Start: 54:48. Keywords: Vice Presidents, reactions, interviews, bugging, bugs, wiretapping, wire taps, surveillance, spying, recordings, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, scandals. Network: NBC.
  
  24. Chancellor/Neal: Hughes's contribution to President Nixon Chancellor/Neal: Hughes's contribution to President Nixon's campaign with a statement from Hughes' agent. Time Code Start: 55:11. Keywords: Presidents, gifts, money, funding, fundraising, donations, contributions, Howard Hughes, aviators. Network: NBC.
  
  25. Chancellor: White House lawyers ask that court orders for White House tapes be dropped. Time Code Start: 58:32. Keywords: law officials, attorneys, lawyers, bugging, bugs, wiretapping, wire taps, surveillance, spying, recordings, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, scandals. Network: NBC.
  
  26. Cronkite/Kalb/Sevareid: Peace talks in the Middle East with film; terms of the peace agreement. Time Code Start: 58:52. Keywords: Middle East, Mideast, war, travel, trips, peace, truce, treaties, negotiations. Network: CBS.
  
  27. Cronkite: President Nixon's speech on peace in the Middle East. Time Code Start: 62:18. Keywords: Presidents, speeches, Middle East, Mideast, war, peace, truce, treaties, negotiations. Network: CBS.
  
  28. Cronkite/Sevareid: Analysis of the peace in the Middle East. Time Code Start: 64:17. Keywords: Middle East, Mideast, war, travel, trips, peace, truce, treaties, negotiations. Network: CBS.
  
  29. Cronkite/Fenton/Allison: Reaction to agreement in Middle East. Time Code Start: 67:00. Keywords: Middle East, Mideast, war, travel, trips, truces, treaty, treaties, negotiations. Network: CBS.
  
  30. Cronkite/Graham: White House tapes. Time Code Start: 70:00. Keywords: bugging, bugs, wiretapping, wire taps, surveillance, spying, recordings, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, scandals. Network: CBS.
  
  31. Cronkite/Rather: Reaction to findings on tapes at the White House. Time Code Start: 71:16. Keywords: bugging, bugs, wiretapping, wire taps, surveillance, spying, recordings, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, scandals. Network: CBS.
  
  32. Cronkite: Interview with Representative Vanik on President Nixon's tapes. Time Code Start: 73:03. Keywords: bugging, bugs, wiretapping, wire taps, surveillance, spying, recordings, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, scandals. Network: CBS.

• New York Times of January 17, 1974

• AP Images photos from January 17, 1974
• Getty Images photos from January 17, 1974

The Vanderbilt Television News Archive is the world's most extensive and complete archive of television news. They have been recording, preserving and providing access to television news broadcasts of the national networks since August 5, 1968.

• January 1974 Broadcast Index

Wikipedia is a free encyclopedia that anyone can edit.

• January 17, 1974