January 20, 1971

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 at a White House Staff Meeting on the Second Anniversary of the President's Inauguration.
• Executive Order 11581—Amending Executive Order No. 11248, Placing Certain Positions in Levels IV and V of the Federal Executive Salary Schedule
• Executive Order 11580—Establishing a Seal for the National Credit Union Administration

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 Wednesday, January 20, 1971

Argued

• Organization for a Better Austin v. Keefe
• United States v. Reidel
• United States v. Thirty-Seven (37) Photographs
• United Transportation Union v. State Bar of Michigan

Decided

• Mayberry v. Pennsylvania

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 News Summaries, Box 29, News Summaries - January 1971 [During this period, the Staff Secretary only removed pages from the News Summaries which contained President Nixon's handwriting, often leaving the document with no date. In addition to the individual document(s) listed below, you should also consult the full folder for the month.]
  • Digest of Recent News Comment, January 20, 1971
  • [1/20]
• President's Daily Schedule, Box 101, [President's Daily Schedule, Jan.-Feb. 1971] [1 of 3]
  • The President's Schedule, Wednesday - January 20, 1971

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)
  Wednesday, January 20.
  
  The second anniversary of the Inaugural. To mark the occasion, we had a meeting of about 60 top staff people––White House and OMB. Ehrlichman opened it with a general overview briefing of the State of the Union. The President came in at 9:30. We let the press in to cover his opening remarks, then tossed the press out, and he talked for about half-an-hour more. A very inspiring message to the troops. He kidded them along some, but also really took them to the mountain top on the tremendous importance of the first change of direction of government in the 190 years of the country's history. The whole thing, fortunately, was taped, and we have transcripts; so this one won't be lost as was the oration at the Cabinet meeting yesterday.
  
  He then spent the day at the EOB working on the speech, alone most of the time. He had me over for one spell between drafts, primarily to get into some PR items. He particularly wanted some very strong reaction to the Life and Newsweek blasts this week. We had already initiated these, but he suggested a couple of other ideas, such as a major advertiser blasting one of them, a Cabinet officer doing a letter to Life, and some of that sort of thing. He also wanted me to call Shepley and level with him on it, and wanted us to get across to Life the story-- to get across to somewhere, the story that Life had offered Tricia a cover picture and story with the understanding that she could have editorial control, as they gave to the Kennedys, and so forth. Tricia refused, saying that she didn't like Life and the way that they handled things, and therefore would not want to be a part of such a thing.
  
  He also got into the whole conservative problem. He had just read Buchanan's latest memo, hitting him pretty hard on the feeling among conservatives that we've let them down. The President’s made a decision that he wants to go after a replacement for Moynihan, who will be a totally accepted conservative to put the balance on that side. He does feel, however, that the conservatives are being totally unreasonable, as they are, in criticizing; and he dictated a long memo giving a lot of talking points for the conservatives. He also thought Ehrlichman should make a conscious and open tilt more to the right, so that he'll be regarded more as the house conservative, so they'll feel they have someone in court.
  
  We had a long meeting this afternoon with Ehrlichman, Shultz, Mitchell, and Kissinger, at Henry's request to discuss in detail his problems with the State Department. It-- He walked into the meeting with huge thick folders for each of us with all kinds of papers documenting his case on the terrible things State has been doing in the public press, and how they've been undercutting him in internal operations, and how they've disobeyed Presidential orders in cable traffic and all sorts of stuff. He did an extremely good job, for a change, of presenting his case quite unemotionally and very rationally; this made it far more effective than it usually is when he gets going. He really wrapped it up by saying that he wasn't going to discuss it with the President, but was hoping we would find a way to approach it, and that the problem had to be resolved. He would not continue this method of operation. And if it couldn't be resolved, he would leave; if it could be, he'd be perfectly willing to work within a new approach, as long as NSC has complete control and Rogers is, as he puts it, "brought to heel."
  
  I also had a meeting this morning with Mitchell regarding the whole political structure. He claims the President has never asked him to take on the assignment of running the campaign; so I confirmed that that was, indeed, the President’s intention and John agreed that he would do it. He then discussed his plans on retiring from Justice and felt that he would have to do so later this year. He could not continue as Attorney General and still run the campaign, but that didn't seem to bother him. He's ready to resign when it's necessary and says there's no problem because he can go on back to the law firm after the election, and would be happy to do so. When I mentioned this to the President later, he agreed that was the right way to go about it, and said that he had, indeed, discussed this with Mitchell, although perhaps he hadn't been exactly precise and specific about the role he wanted him to take. Anyway, it's now all set. We've got to start working out the arrangements with Finch, the National Committee, and others who are involved, but it's really going to help to have John in command of the whole thing.
  
  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  PRIVACY- Reviewed and released under Deed of Gift, DR, NARA, September 11, 2014
  Audio Cassette 03, Side B.
  Duration: 1 minute 7 seconds
  
  After I got home tonight I got a series of three or four phone calls from the President. The first one at 8:15 when he had just discovered that Rose had gone home when he called her to get some more typing done on the speech. This is incredible considering that it’s the night he’s trying to wrap up his final draft of the State of the Union address. She told him she’d just had a shot and didn’t feel well and so she’d gone home. He implied that there was work to be done so she said well she could come in and do it for him but she had a date at 9:00. At that point he apparently blew his stack and called me. He’s decided that she’s now become a primadonna, her whole office is cleared out there’s nobody to help him out. We’ve got to setup a system for someone to back her up. The obvious answer to this of course is Marge which I suggested and after calling back two or three times he agreed that was the right way to do it. In any event, Rose hasn’t done herself any good with this type of maneuver.
  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  
  End of January 20.
• Original audio recording - not yet online

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Nixon Library Holdings

• Text search for January 20, 1971
• Date search for January 20, 1971

All National Archives Units

• Text search for January 20, 1971
• Date search for January 20, 1971

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 20 January 1971

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. II, Organization and Management of U.S. Foreign Policy, 1969-1972

The NSC System

• 136. Draft Paper Prepared in the National Security Council, Washington, January 20, 1971

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Kissinger Office Files, Box 148, State/WH Relationship, Vol. 4. Secret; Sensitive. A handwritten notation on the source text reads: “Typed 4:15 p.m.” The paper was presumably prepared in connection with Kissinger’s meeting on January 20 with Haldeman, Ehrlichman, Shultz, and Mitchell that is described in Document 135.

Vol. IV, Foreign Assistance, International Development, Trade Policies, 1969-1972

Commodities and Strategic Materials, 1969-1972

• 439. Action Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon, Washington, January 20, 1971

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Agency Files, Box 267, Office of Emergency Preparedness, Volume II 11/69-12/71. Secret. Forwarded to Kissinger under cover of a January 21 memorandum from Nachmanoff. A stamped notation reads: “The President has seen.”

Vol. V, United Nations, 1969-1972

Chinese Representation in the United Nations

• 322. Memonradum of Conversation, Washington, January 20, 1971

  Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, UN 6 CHICOM. Secret; Noforn; Exdis. Drafted January 26 by Feldman; cleared by Armitage, De Palma, Green, Shoesmith, and J. Theodore Papendorp; and approved in S/S-S on February 1.

• 323. Memorandum of Conversation, Washington, January 20, 1971

  Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, UN 6 CHICOM. Secret. Drafted on January 22 by Feldman and cleared by De Palma, Brown, and Armitage.

• 324. Telegram From the Mission to the United Nations to the Department of State, New York, January 20, 1971, 2130Z

  Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, UN 6 CHICOM. Confidential. Repeated to Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Taipei.

Vol. VII, Vietnam, July 1970-January 1972

Planning and Decisions for Operations in Cambodia and Laos, October 9, 1970-February 7, 1971

• 106. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon, Washington, January 20, 1971

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 121, Vietnam Subject Files, Viet (POW), Vol. II. Secret; Sensitive. Sent for information. A stamped notation on the memorandum reads, “The President has seen.” The President wrote the following note at the bottom of the first page: “Keep it up—We need a good story once every week or 10 days.”

Vol. XXXVI, Energy Crisis, 1969-1974

March 10, 1970-April 2, 1971

• 77. Telegram From the Embassy in Libya to the Department of State, Tripoli, January 20, 1971, 1106Z

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 1271, Saunders Files, Middle East Oil, 1/1/71–2/1/71. Secret; Immediate; Nodis.

• 78. Telegram From the Under Secretary of State (Irwin) to the Department of State, Kuwait, January 20, 1971, 1510Z

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 620, Country Files, Middle East, Saudi Arabia, Vol. II. Secret; Nodis.

• 79. Telegram From the Under Secretary of State (Irwin) to the Department of State, Kuwait, January 20, 1971, 1625Z

  Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, PET 3 OPEC. Secret; Immediate; Exdis.

Vol. XL, Germany and Berlin, 1969-1972

Germany and Berlin, 1969-1972

• 164. Intelligence Information Cable, Washington, January 20, 1971

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 685, Country Files, Europe, Germany, Vol. VIII. Secret; No Foreign Dissem; Controlled Dissem; No Dissem Abroad; Background Use Only; Routine. Prepared in the CIA.

Vol. E-5, Part 1, Documents on Sub-Saharan Africa, 1969-1972

The Horn

• 307. Memorandum From the Presidentʼs Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon, Washington, January 20, 1971

  Kissinger told the President that Selassie was correct in stating that his countryʼs security situation had deteriorated over the past several years, but neither Somalia nor the Sudan was capable of mounting a sustained attack. Kissinger believed the Emperor feared that the United States intended to terminate its military assistance program (MAP), but MAP actually would continue as payment for Kagnew Station and as long as the Emperor was alive. Kissinger also reported that the ambassador in Addis Ababa had been instructed to deliver an oral message from the President to the Emperor informing him that the President understood his misgivings about Ethiopiaʼs long-range security and fully intended the United States to continue its significant military assistance program over the coming years. The President wished the Emperor to know that he was personally interested in Ethiopiaʼs security and had instructed the Executive Branch that Ethiopia would continue to have a priority claim on the resources available for military assistance to Africa.
  
  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Country Files, Africa, Ethiopia, Vol. I. Secret. Sent for information. The memorandum is stamped: “The President Has Seen.” Another copy of the memorandum at Tab A, also undated and marked “Action” rather than “Information,” is at the Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Kissinger Papers, Box CL 292, Memoranda to the President, October 1970.

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-5498 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-5498-03-37, President Nixon addressing members of White House staff on the second anniversary of the inauguration. 1/20/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, Family Theatre. President Nixon, John Ehrlichman, Ron Ziegler, Donald Rumsfeld, Henry Kissinger, White House staff members.

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.

H - White House Staff Member Recordings

• WHCA-SR-H-321
  Nixon staff briefing with George Shultz, Peter Flanigan, John D. Ehrlichman, and Clark MacGregor. (1/20/1971, Family Theater, White House)
  
  Runtime: 50:00:00
  
  Keywords: Briefings, private briefings
  
  Production credits: Audio feed supplied by WHCA; Recorded by KAP (initials of WHCA engineer)
  
  Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.

P - Formal Presidential Remarks

• WHCA-SR-P-710106
  Remarks by President Nixon in staff meeting. (1/20/1971)
  
  Runtime: 6:32
  
  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-4097
  The "Today" Show. Senator Muskie's Russian trip Senator Edmund Muskie.
  WETA
  Runtime: 0:30
• WHCA-4098
  "Kennedy and Company". Pierre Salinger, Press Secretary to President Kennedy.
  Group W Productions
  Runtime: 0:30
• WHCA-4099
  "The Dick Cavett Show" with Ted Williams, Mercedes McCambridge, Ben Gazarra. Mercedes McCambridge; Senator Edmund Muskie (D-ME).
  NBC
  Runtime: 01:31:00
• WHCA-4111
  Weekly News Summary, Tape I.
  ALL NETWORKS
  Runtime: 1:00
  
  27. Reasoner/Giggans: Cambodia. Time Code Start: 49:29. Keywords: Cambodia, Vietnam War. Network: ABC.
  
  28. Smith/Peterson: Cambodia (Secretary of Defense Laird). Time Code Start: 51:44. Keywords: cabinet, advisors, military, Cambodia, Vietnam War, speeches, statements. Network: ABC.
  
  29. Smith/Jarrie: President Nixon and his policies. Time Code Start: 53:58. Keywords: Presidents, reports. Network: ABC.
  
  30. Smith/Clark: Revenue sharing (Representative Mills). Time Code Start: 55:38. Keywords: bills, laws, State and Local Fiscal Assistance Act of 1972, financial aid. Network: ABC.
  
  31. Smith: Commentary on Congress and seniority. Time Code Start: 59:12. Keywords: House of Representatives, leaders. Network: ABC.
• WHCA-4112
  Weekly News Summary, Tape II.
  ALL NETWORKS
  Runtime: 1:00
  
  1. Brinkley: Secretary of Defense Laird says legal ban on using United States ground forces in Cambodia applies only to combat troops, not support, supply, medical, or rescue personnel. Time Code Start: 00:00. Keywords: cabinet, advisors, military, Cambodia, Vietnam War, statements, aid, support, rescues. Network: NBC.
  
  2. Brinkley: President Nixon delivers State of Union message; recommends revenue sharing; merging and rearranging several cabinet agencies. Time Code Start: 02:51. Keywords: Presidents, speeches. Network: NBC.
  
  3. Cronkite/Schieffer/Morton: Secretary of Defense Laird regarding Cambodia and White House reactions. Time Code Start: 03:43. Keywords: cabinet, advisors, military, Cambodia, Vietnam War, speeches, statements. Network: CBS.
  
  4. Cronkite: Film of Vietnam prisoners. Time Code Start: 07:45. Keywords: Vietnam War, Vietnam Prisoner of War, releases. Network: CBS.

• New York Times of January 20, 1971

• AP Images photos from January 20, 1971
• Getty Images photos from January 20, 1971

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 1971 Broadcast Index

Wikipedia is a free encyclopedia that anyone can edit.

• January 20, 1971