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January 18, 1974

Introduction

This almanac page for Friday, January 18, 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, January 17, 1974

Next Date: Saturday, January 19, 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.

  • 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.

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

    First Egyptian-Israeli Disengagement Agreement, January 1974

    • 14. Memorandum of Understanding

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Kissinger Office Files, Box 136, Country Files, Middle East, Dinitz, 1/1–7/1, 1974 (2). Secret. According to Kissinger’s memoirs, the Israelis on several occasions sought Memoranda of Understanding between the United States and Israel. He attributed this to Israeli “consciousness of having only one friend among the nations of the world,” which produced “an endless quest for reassurance in the form of additional concessions or side letters on the interpretation of existing agreements.” (Years of Upheaval, p. 652)

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

    Guatemala and Belize

    • 175. Telegram 333 From the Embassy in Guatemala to the Department of State, Guatemala City, January 18, 1974, 1615Z

      Summary: The Embassy noted that the Presidential campaign had become a two-way contest between the government’s candidate, General Laugerud, and Opposition Front candidate General Ríos Montt. Noting the danger of electoral irregularities if Laugerud failed to win sufficient votes, the Embassy concluded U.S. long-term interests would be best served by free and peaceful elections.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, [no film number]. Confidential; Priority. Repeated to Managua, Panama City, San José, San Salvador, Tegucigalpa, CINCSO, and CINCLANT. In telegram 559 from Guatemala City, January 28, the Embassy reported that government leaders and politicians believed that Laugerud would win the elections and were talking “less about the possible need for a coup.” (Ibid.) On February 6, Clare prepared a draft contingency paper outlining U.S. responses should the Guatemalan Government employ blatant fraud, postponement, or a palace coup to thwart the electoral process. (Ibid., ARA/CEN Files, Guatemala 1974, Briefing Paper) Telegram 5699 from Guatemala City, November 30, 1973, is ibid., Central Foreign Policy File, [no film number].

    Vol. E-11, Part 2, Documents on South America, 1973-1976

    Brazil

    • 94. Telegram 440 From the Embassy in Brazil to the Department of State, Brasília, January 18, 1974, 1910Z

      Summary: The Embassy commented on the election of Geisel as President, noting that the return to representative government promised by the Médici regime had not taken place.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, [no film number]. Confidential; Priority. Repeated to Buenos Aires, Caracas, Montevideo, Santiago, Recife, Rio de Janeiro, and São Paulo.

    Chile

    • 156. Telegram 303 From the Embassy in Chile to the Department of State, Santiago, January 18, 1974, 2130Z

      Summary: The Embassy forwarded a request from General Leigh for U.S. Government support in acquiring aircraft and an air defense system.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, [no film number]. Confidential. Repeated to SecDef, JCS, CSAF, and USCINCSO. In a December 3, 1973, letter to the Northrop Corporation, Leigh expressed the “firm intent” of the Chilean Air Force to purchase fifteen F–5Es and three F–5Fs. Leigh recognized that some elements of the aircraft were government-furnished equipment and would have to be purchased through the U.S. Government, and requested Northrop contact the U.S. Government on the matter. (Memorandum for the Record, January 19, 1974; Washington National Records Center, OSD Files, FRC 330–79 0061, Negotiations–Chile Sales) On January 23, the Department instructed the Embassy to demur if Leigh sought a response to his January 15 request. (Telegram 14758 to Santiago, January 23; National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, [no film number])

  • 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-E2093 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2093-, Melvin Laird greeting guests. 1/18/1974, Washington, D.C. White House. Melvin Laird and guests.

    Roll WHPO-E2094 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2094-, President Nixon meeting to discuss the 1974 legislative calendar with Senate Minority Leader Hugh Scott (R-Pennsylvania). 1/18/1974, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Senator Hugh Scott, and Gerald L. Warren, Deputy Press Secretary.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2094-14, President Nixon meeting to discuss the 1974 legislative calendar with Senate Minority Leader Hugh Scott (R-Pennsylvania). View taken from behind Scott, showing a clear view out the windows of the garden area. 1/18/1974, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Senator Hugh Scott.

    Roll WHPO-E2095 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2095-02-15, President Nixon meets with House Minority Leader John J. Rhodes (R-Arizona) to discuss the 1974 legislative calendar. 1/18/1974, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon and Congressman John J. Rhodes.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2095-18-21, John W. Dixon, President of the 1973 Pageant of Peace Committee, Pres. and Chairman of the Board of E-Systems, presenting President Nixon with the Committee's first "Peace Award" in recognition of the President's initiatives in Vietnam and China. 1/18/1974, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, John W. Dixon, and Rogers, C. B. Morton, Secretary of the Interior.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2095-22-25, John W. Dixon, 1973 Pageant of Peace Committee President, Pres. and Chairman of the Board of E-Systems, presenting President Nixon with a painting of the National Christmas tree from the Committee. 1/18/1974, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Ronald H. Walker, Director of the National Park Service, John W. Dixon, and Rogers C. B. Morton, Secretary of the Interior.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2095-27-30, President Nixon meets with the newly appointed Attorney General William B. Saxby. 1/18/1974, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon and Attorney General William B. Saxby.

    Roll WHPO-E2097 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2097-02-11, President Nixon meets with House Minority Leader John J. Rhodes (R-Arizona) to discuss the 1974 legislative calendar. 1/18/1974, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon and Congressman John J. Rhodes.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2097-12-13, President Nixon sitting at his desk in the Oval Office. 1/18/1974, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2097-16-22, John Dixon, 1973 Pageant of Peace Committee President, presenting President Nixon with the Committee's first "Peace Award" and a painting of the National Christmas Tree from the Committee. 1/18/1974, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, John W. Dixon, Ronald H. Walker, Director of the National Park Service, and Rogers C. B. Morton, Secretary of the Interior.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2097-24-26, President Nixon meets with the newly appointed Attorney General William Saxby. 1/18/1974, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon and Attorney General William B. Saxby.

  • 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-740103
      Photo opportunity Hugh Scott. (1/18/1974)

      Runtime: 3:44

      Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.
    • WHCA-SR-P-740104
      Photo opportunity with Congressman John Rhodes. (1/18/1974)

      Runtime: 6:38

      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-448
      Press pool report on photo opportunity with the President and Senate Minority Leader Hugh Scott (R-PA) in the Oval Office. (1/18/1974, White House Press Lobby)

      Runtime: 5:20

      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-449
      Press briefing by Senate Minority Leader Hugh Scott (R-PA). (1/18/1974, White House Press Lobby)

      Runtime: 20:00

      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-450
      Press briefing by Gerald Warren. (1/18/1974, White House Press Lobby)

      Runtime: 25:00:00

      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.

  • 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-6747
      Weekly News Summary, Tape II.
      ALL NETWORKS

      33. Smith/Schoumacher: White House tapes. Time Code Start: 73:57. Keywords: bugging, bugs, wiretapping, wire taps, surveillance, spying, recordings, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, scandals. Network: ABC.

      34. Smith: White House reaction to tapes' findings. Time Code Start: 77:31. Keywords: bugging, bugs, wiretapping, wire taps, surveillance, spying, recordings, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, scandals. Network: ABC.

      35. Reasoner/Jarriel: Presidential impeachment. Time Code Start: 78:12. Keywords: Presidents, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, impeachment. Network: ABC.

      36. Smith/Tomlinson: Admiral Moorer on Pentagon spying. Time Code Start: 80:17. Keywords: United States Department of Defense headquarters, Armed Forces, military, espionage, spies, operatives, investigations. Network: ABC.

      37. Smith/Osmer: Interview with Robert Vesco in Costa Rica. Time Code Start: 82:21. Keywords: Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, scandals, financiers, banking, investments, securities, frauds, stocks, bonds, sales, Presidential elections, donations, contributions, gifts, money, funding. Network: ABC.

      38. Reasoner/Seamans: Middle East with Secretary of State Kissinger and Israel's Prime Minister Golda Meir. Time Code Start: 83:35. Keywords: Middle East, Mideast, Prime Ministers, cabinet, advisors, leaders. Network: ABC.

      39. Smith/Peterson: Energy crisis. Time Code Start: 87:27. Keywords: petroleum, oil, gasoline, fuel, shortages, rationing, natural resources. Network: ABC.

      40. Smith: Commentary on how Secretary of State Kissinger does it. Time Code Start: 89:37. Keywords: cabinet, advisors. Network: ABC.
    • WHCA-6748
      Weekly News Summary, Tape III.
      ALL NETWORKS

      1. Chancellor/Stern: White House tapes. Time Code Start: 00:00. Keywords: bugging, bugs, wiretapping, wire taps, surveillance, spying, recordings, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, scandals. Network: NBC.

      2. Chancellor/Stern: Interview with Watergate case Special Prosecutor Jaworski. Time Code Start: 02:51. Keywords: law officials, attorneys, lawyers, appointments, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals. Network: NBC.

      3. Chancellor: Report on Watergate. Time Code Start: 05:10. Keywords: Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals, impeachment, resignations. Network: NBC.

      4. Chancellor/Kiker: On impeachment with Representative Mills. Time Code Start: 05:58. Keywords: Presidents, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, impeachment. Network: NBC.

      5. Chancellor/Brokaw: President Nixon had visitors today with film. Time Code Start: 07:38. Keywords: Presidents, meetings. Network: NBC.

      6. Chancellor: President Nixon's taxes. Time Code Start: 08:46. Keywords: Presidents, Internal Revenue Service, taxes, taxation, revenue, audits, investigations, state taxes. Network: NBC.

      7. Chancellor: Interview with Admiral Moorer. Time Code Start: 09:36. Keywords: Navy, Naval Chief of Joint Cheifs of Staff, media, press conferences, news conferences, interviews. Network: NBC.

      8. Chancellor/Dancy: Signing of Middle East agreement. Time Code Start: 11:07. Keywords: Middle East, Mideast, bills, laws, signings, treaty, treaties, signing ceremony, ceremonies. Network: NBC.

      9. Chancellor: Film of Israel's Minister of Defense Moshe Dayan interview. Time Code Start: 13:50. Keywords: Middle East, Mideast, Israeli, war, military, leaders, meetings, media, press conferences, news conferences, interviews. Network: NBC.

      10. Chancellor/Kaplow: Report on Solzhenitsyn book. Time Code Start: 15:04. Keywords: Russia, Soviet Union, USSR, celebrities, authors, writers, books, politics, Nobel Prize. Network: NBC.

      11. Mudd/Graham: White House tapes with Rhyne, Buzhardt, Bull. Time Code Start: 18:12. Keywords: bugging, bugs, wiretapping, wire taps, surveillance, spying, recordings, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, scandals. Network: CBS.

      12. Mudd/Schorr: Report on impeachement with Representative O'Neill and Senator Sc. Time Code Start: 21:58. Keywords: Presidents, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, impeachment. Network: CBS.

      13. Mudd: Report on Pentagon spying. Time Code Start: 24:52. Keywords: United States Department of Defense headquarters, Armed Forces, military, espionage, spies, operatives, investigations. Network: CBS.

      14. Mudd/Fenton/Kalb: Report on the Middle East with Secretary of State Kissinger and Israel's Prime Minister Golda Meir. Time Code Start: 25:57. Keywords: Middle East, Mideast, Israeli, Prime Ministers, leaders, cabinet, advisors. Network: CBS.

      15. Mudd/Shaw: Report on the oil shortage; are they holding. Time Code Start: 30:06. Keywords: energy, petroleum, drilling, oil supply, oil supplies, imports, shortages, corporations, investigations, collecting, stockpiling,. Network: CBS.

Context (External Sources)