January 18, 1973

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 Key Biscayne, Florida

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.

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 18, 1973

The Congressional Record is the official daily record of the debates and proceedings of the U.S. Congress.

• Senate: January 18, 1973
• House of Representatives: January 18, 1973

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.

• Annotated and Unmarked News Summaries [Note: Although there was no News Summary on this date, due to the way News Summary products were compiled, you should also consult nearby days for potentially relevant materials.]

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)
  Thursday, January 18.
  
  The President got me on the way back from Key Biscayne on some general schedule discussion on the plane. He's trying to get his time cleared -- now that he's getting back to handle the Vietnam stuff after the Inaugural, and wants to keep everything as clear as he can. He then got into some discussion on Vietnam and the settlement, and more importantly, the Thieu problem, which he's still sweating out, because he hasn't heard from Haig yet. The question now is whether Thieu will go along. He's refused to give Haig an answer, at least at this point, so we have to wait for Haig to go back there on Saturday. The President feels that's a pretty cheap shot on Thieu's part, and that he should give us an answer before the Inaugural, so that the President will know, and that's the least we could reasonably expect from him, but apparently we're not going to get it.
  
  End of January 18.
• 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

• Text search for January 18, 1973
• Date search for January 18, 1973

All National Archives Units

• Text search for January 18, 1973
• Date search for January 18, 1973

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 18 January 1973

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. IX, Vietnam, October 1972-January 1973

America Leaves the War, December 30, 1972-January 27, 1973

• 291. Message From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs (Sullivan) in Paris, Washington, January 18, 1973, 0600Z

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Kissinger Office Files, Box 119, Country Files, Far East, Vietnam Negotiations, Ambassador Porter’s File—Paris, June 1972–January 1973. Top Secret; Sensitive; Exclusively Eyes Only. Sent via Scowcroft and Guay. Written on January 17.

• 292. Backchannel Message From the Ambassador to Vietnam (Bunker) to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), Saigon, January 18, 1973, 1030Z

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 415, Backchannel Messages, From Amb. Bunker, Saigon thru April 1973. Top Secret; Operational Immediate; Sensitive; Exclusively Eyes Only.

• 293. Backchannel Message From the Vice Chief of Staff of the Army (Haig) to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), January 18, 1973, 1200Z

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 860, For the President’s Files (Winston Lord)—China Trip/Vietnam, Sensitive Camp David, Vol. XXIV. Top Secret; Operational Immediate; Sensitive; Exclusively Eyes Only. Haig was likely en route from Vientiane to Saigon.

• 294. Transcript of a Telephone Conversation Between President Nixon and the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), January 18, 1973, 9:40 a.m.

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, Kissinger Telephone Conversations, Box 18, Chronological File. No classification marking. Nixon was in Key Biscayne, Florida; Kissinger was in Washington.

• 295. Transcript of a Telephone Conversation Between Senator Barry M. Goldwater and the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), Washington, January 18, 1973, 11:13 a.m.

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, Kissinger Telephone Conversations, Box 18, Chronological File. No classification marking.

• 296. Transcript of a Telephone Conversation Between Senator John C. Stennis and the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), Washington, January 18, 1973, 11:30 a.m.

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, Kissinger Telephone Conversations, Box 18, Chronological File. No classification marking.

• 297. Transcript of a Telephone Conversation Between President Nixon and the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), January 18, 1973, 1:07 p.m.

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, Kissinger Telephone Conversations, Box 18, Chronological File. No classification marking. Nixon was in Key Biscayne, Florida; Kissinger was in Washington.

• 298. Message From the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs (Sullivan) to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), Paris, January 18, 1973, 2125Z

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 860, For the President’s Files (Winston Lord)—China Trip/Vietnam, Sensitive Camp David, Vol. XXIV. Secret; Operational Immediate; Sensitive; Exclusively Eyes Only. Sent via Guay and Scowcroft.

• 299. Message From the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs (Sullivan) to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), Paris, January 18, 1973, 2211Z

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Kissinger Office Files, Box 119, Country Files, Far East, Vietnam Negotiations, Ambassador Porter’s File—Paris, June 1972–January 1973. Secret; Sensitive; Exclusively Eyes Only. Sent via Guay and Scowcroft. A copy was sent from the White House to Haig in Sai as Tohaig 58/WHS 3064 at 2305Z. (Ibid., Box 1020, Alexander M. Haig Special File, Gen. Haig’s Vietnam Trip, Tohaig 1–105, January 14–21, 1973 [1 of 2])

• 300. Message From the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs (Sullivan) to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), Paris, January 18, 1973, 2219Z

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Kissinger Office Files, Box 119, Country Files, Far East, Vietnam Negotiations, Ambassador Porter’s File—Paris, June 1972–January 1973. Secret; Sensitive; Exclusively Eyes Only. Sent via Guay and Scowcroft. A copy was sent from the White House to Haig in Saigon as Tohaig 59/WHS 3063 at 2303Z. (Ibid., Box 1020, Alexander M. Haig Special File, Gen. Haig’s Vietnam Trip, Tohaig 1–105, January 14–21, 1973 [1 of 2])

• 301. Message From the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs (Sullivan) to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), Paris, January 18, 1973, 2240Z

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 860, For the President’s Files (Winston Lord)—China Trip/Vietnam, Sensitive Camp David, Vol. XXIV. Secret; Operational Immediate; Sensitive; Exclusively Eyes Only. Sent via Guay and Scowcroft.

Vol. XVIII, China, 1973-1976

Kissinger's Visits to Beijing and the Establishment of the Liaison Offices, January 1973-May 1973

• 4. Memorandum From John H. Holdridge of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), Washington, January 18, 1973

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 526, Country Files, Far East, People’s Republic of China, Vol. 6, Jan–Apr 1973. Secret; Sensitive; Eyes Only. Sent for information. Kissinger initialed the memorandum and Richard Solomon initialed it on behalf of Holdridge.

Vol. XXXVI, Energy Crisis, 1969-1974

March 16, 1972-March 6, 1973

• 151. Briefing Paper Prepared by the National Security Council Staff, Washington, January 18, 1973

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 219, Agency Files, Council on International Economic Policy (CIEP), Vol. II, 1973. No classification marking. This briefing paper, prepared for Kissinger prior to a meeting with Flanigan, was based on the following telegrams, which were attached but are not printed: Telegram 5598 to London, January 10; telegram 247 from Tehran, January 13; telegram 6609 to Tehran, January 11; telegram 249 from Tehran, January 15; telegram 280 from Tehran, January 16; and telegram 10218 to Tehran, January 17. The meeting was held on February 6 but Kissinger did not attend. See Documents 160 and 161.

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-D1224 Photographer: Royer | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-D1224-, Shots of inauguration stands being erected near the Capitol. 1/18/1973, Washington, D.C. grounds, Capitol.

Roll WHPO-D1225 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-D1225-, Portraits of Alexander Butterfield in his office. 1/18/1973, Washington, D.C. Butterfield's office, White House. Alexander Butterfield.

Roll WHPO-D1226 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-D1226-, Vice President Agnew shaking hands with Mr. Sendak. (Possibly artist Cartoonist Maurice Sendak). 1/18/1973, Washington, D.C. Vice Presidential Office, Executive Office Building. Spiro Agnew, Mr. Sendak.

Roll WHPO-D1227 Photographer: unknown | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-D1227-, Photos of sketches of Julie Eisenhower's inaugural outfit. 1/18/1973, Washington, D.C. unknown.

Roll WHPO-D1228 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-D1228-, Vice President Agnew and Judy Agnew greeting Pat Nixon, Julie Eisenhower, and others before a performance. Shots during the program. The Agnews seated in a room with Mamie Eisenhower. 1/18/1973, Washington, D.C. Kennedy Center. Spiro Agnew, Judy Agnew, Pat Nixon, Julie Eisenhower, Mamie Eisenhower, guests.

Roll WHPO-D1229 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-D1229-, Judy Agnew and Agnew before a dinner and in a receiving line, greeting Pat Nixon, Julie Eisenhower, and unidentified persons. 1/18/1973, Washington, D.C. unknown. Spiro Agnew, Judy Agnew, Pat Nixon, Julie Eisenhower, unidentified men and women.
• Frame(s): WHPO-D1229-22, Judy Agnew and Vice President Agnew before a dinner and in a receiving line, greeting Pat Nixon, Julie Eisenhower, and unidentified persons. 1/18/1973, Washington, D.C. unknown. Spiro Agnew, Judy Agnew, Pat Nixon, Julie Eisenhower, unidentified woman, official.

Roll WHPO-D1230 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-D1230-, Vice President Agnew and Judy Agnew greeting guests in a receiving line and standing on a riser, addressing them. Guests seated at a dinner table with Agnew. 1/18/1973, Washington, D.C. unknown. Spiro Agnew, Judy Agnew, unidentified men and women.
• Frame(s): WHPO-D1230-18, Vice President Agnew and Judy Agnew standing on stage and speaking at the microphone. 1/18/1973, Washington, D.C. unknown. Spiro Agnew, Judy Agnew, unidentified men and women.

Roll WHPO-D1231 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-D1231-, Vice President Agnew and Judy Agnew greeting guests. Kissinger with unidentified persons. 1/18/1973, Washington, D.C. Kennedy Center. Spiro Agnew, Judy Agnew, Henry Kissinger, unidentified men and women.

Roll WHPO-D1232 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-D1232-, Vice President Agnew, Judy Agnew, Pat Nixon, and Julie Eisenhower greeting guests in a receiving line and in the audience. 1/18/1973, Washington, D.C. Kennedy Center. Spiro Agnew, Judy Agnew, Pat Nixon, Julie Eisenhower, unidentified men and women.
• Frame(s): WHPO-D1232-19, Vice President Agnew, Judy Agnew, Pat Nixon, and Julie Eisenhower greeting guests in a receiving line and in the audience. 1/18/1973, Washington, D.C. Kennedy Center. Spiro Agnew, Judy Agnew, Pat Nixon, Julie Eisenhower, unidentified men and women.

Roll WHPO-D1233 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-D1233-01-30, Pat Nixon, Julie Eisenhower, and Mamie Eisenhower, wearing evening gowns, signing programs and greeting guests before the Kennedy Center Inaugural concert begins. 1/18/1973, Washington, D.C. Kennedy Center. Pat Nixon, Julie Eisenhower, Mamie Eisenhower.
• Frame(s): WHPO-D1233-09, Pat Nixon, Dolores Hope (Mrs. Bob Hope), and former First Lady Mamie Eisenhower, dressed in evening gowns, standing together posing for photos before the Kennedy Center Inaugural concert begins. 1/18/1973, Washington, D.C. Kennedy Center. Pat Nixon, Dolores Hope (Mrs. Bob Hope), Mamie Eisenhower.
• Frame(s): WHPO-D1233-13, Pat Nixon, Julie Eisenhower, and former First Lady Mamie Eisenhower, dressed in evening gowns, enjoying a laugh together before the Kennedy Center Inaugural concert begins. 1/18/1973, Washington, D.C. Kennedy Center. Pat Nixon, Julie Eisenhower, Mamie Eisenhower.
• Frame(s): WHPO-D1233-17, Pat Nixon, Julie Eisenhower, and former First Lady Mamie Eisenhower, dressed in evening gowns, standing together before the Kennedy Center Inaugural concert begins. 1/18/1973, Washington, D.C. Kennedy Center. Pat Nixon, Julie Eisenhower, Mamie Eisenhower.
• Frame(s): WHPO-D1233-18-19, Pat Nixon and Dolores Hope (Mrs. Bob Hope) dressed in evening gowns, standing together posing for photos before the Kennedy Center Inaugural concert begins. 1/18/1973, Washington, D.C. Kennedy Center. Pat Nixon, Dolores Hope (Mrs. Bob Hope).

Roll WHPO-D1240 Photographer: unknown | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-D1240-, Henry Kissinger and officials seated around a table during their meeting at the Vietnam Peace Accord talks in Paris. (Paris Peace Talks). 1/18/1973, Paris, France unknown. Henry Kissinger, Le Duc Tho, Kissinger team, Winston Lord, North Vietnamese negotiators, South Vietnamese Negotiators, Le Duc Tho, unidentified officials.
• Frame(s): WHPO-D1240-18, Henry Kissinger and officials seated around a table during their meeting at the Vietnam Peace Accord talks in Paris. (Paris Peace Accords). 1/18/1973, Paris, France unknown. Henry Kissinger, Le Duc Tho, Windston Lord, Kissinger team, North Vietnamese negotiators, South Vietnamese Negotiators, unidentified officials.

Roll WHPO-D1241 Photographer: unknown | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-D1241-, Henry Kissinger and officials seated around a table during their meeting at the Vietnam Peace Accord talks in Paris. (Paris Peace Talks). 1/18/1973, Paris, France unknown. Henry Kissinger, Winston Lord, Kissinger team, North Vietnamese negotiators, South Vietnamese Negotiators, unidentified officials.

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-240
  Remarks by Vice President Agnew to Medal of Honor recipients. (1/18/1973, Smithsonian Museum of History and Technology, Washington, D.C.)
  
  Runtime: 0:08:08
  
  Production credits: Audio feed supplied by WHCA; Recorded by LDH (initials of WHCA engineer)
  
  Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original. Technical notes: 19 seconds of silence at beginning and 2 minutes and 54 seconds of silence at end of recording removed from access copies.

L - White House Press Office Briefings

• WHCA-SR-L-109
  Press briefing by Ronald Ziegler. (1/18/1973, 4 Ambassadors Presss Center, Miami, Florida)
  
  Runtime: 23:22
  
  Keywords: Press conferences, news conferences, interviews, media, press secretary
  
  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-6005
  "Thirty Minutes".
  CBS
  Runtime: 01:02:49
• WHCA-6008
  Weekly News Summary, Tape III.
  ALL NETWORKS
  
  1. Smith/Jarriel: Kissinger going to Paris for the final time with Ron Ziegler. Time Code Start: 00:00. Keywords: Paris Peace Talks, Vietnam War, treaty, treaties, negotiations, government, officials, travel, trips. Network: ABC.
  
  2. Reasoner/Bell: Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Airlines. Time Code Start: 02:10. Keywords: national security, intelligence gathering, covert activities, spying, espionage, aviation, aircraft. Network: ABC.
  
  3. Smith/Kaplow: Brennan questioned by Senate. Time Code Start: 05:00. Keywords: Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals. Network: ABC.
  
  4. Smith/Geer: Inauguration getting underway; protests likely. Time Code Start: 07:32. Keywords: Presidents, inaugurals, ceremonies, swearing in ceremony, demonstrations, protesters, demonstraters. Network: ABC.
  
  5. Reasoner: Commentary on President Nixon. Time Code Start: 10:35. Keywords: Presidents, inaugurations, inaugurals. Network: ABC.
  
  6. Chancellor/Valeriani/Delaney/Dobyns: Paris peace talks to resume Tuesday with Ziegler; South Vietnam's President Thieu is stubborn on some points of agreement; Paris peace talks (regulars) cancelled. Time Code Start: 12:30. Keywords: South Vietnam, Presidents, speeches, statements, Vietnam War. Network: NBC.
  
  7. Chancellor/Levine/Nessen: Senate confirmation hearings on Brennan; Elliot Richardson speaks out on Health, Education and Welfare (HEW) funding. Time Code Start: 20:03. Keywords: Senate, Senators, investigations, hearings, nominees, confirmations,. Network: NBC.
  
  8. Chan: President Nixon's Inauguration and possible demonstrations. Time Code Start: 25:35. Keywords: Presidents, inaugurations, inaugurals, demonstrations, rally, protests, protesters, demonstraters, demonstrators, Vietnam War, anti-war. Network: NBC.
  
  9. Chan: Watergate trial halted; Javitts bill to limit presidential power. Time Code Start: 26:06. Keywords: Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals. Network: NBC.
  
  10. Cronkite/Rather/Kalisher/Quint: Peace prospects look good with Ziegler; regular Paris peace talks cancelled; Saigon, Vietnam reaction. Time Code Start: 27:00. Keywords: Paris Peace Talks, Vietnam War, treaty, treaties, negotiations. Network: CBS.
  
  11. Cronkite: Troops coming to Washington just in case during the inauguration. Time Code Start: 33:01. Keywords: Presidents, inaugurations, inaugurals, security, police, Armed Forces, military, troops. Network: CBS.
  
  12. Cronkite/Shorr/Morton: Watergate trial comes to a halt; Senate attacks presidential power issue, also Senate hearings on confirmation of presidential nominees. Time Code Start: 33:35. Keywords: investigations, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals. Network: CBS.
  
  13. Cronkite/Sevareid: The U.S. has flopped in the Philippines. Time Code Start: 37:19. Keywords: diplomacy, politics, criticisms, Southeast Asia. Network: CBS.

• New York Times of January 18, 1973

• AP Images photos from January 18, 1973
• Getty Images photos from January 18, 1973

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 1973 Broadcast Index

Wikipedia is a free encyclopedia that anyone can edit.

• January 18, 1973