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January 21, 1972

Introduction

This almanac page for Friday, January 21, 1972, 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 20, 1972

Next Date: Saturday, January 22, 1972

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 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.

  • 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.

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

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.

    • 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.

  • 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. V, United Nations, 1969-1972

    U.S. Position Papers and Assessments of General Assembly Sessions

    • 102. Airgram From the Department of State to All Posts, Washington, January 21, 1972, 9:06 a.m.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, UN 3 GA. Limited Official Use; Priority. Drafted by Pelcovits and the IO Staff; cleared by Herz, Rothenberg, Hennes, McDonald, Walker, McNutt, and Chase; and approved by Assistant Secretary De Palma.

    Vol. VII, Vietnam, July 1970-January 1972

    Military and Diplomatic Stalemate, October 11, 1971-January 26, 1972

    Vol. VII, Vietnam, July 1970-January 1972

    Military and Diplomatic Stalemate, October 11, 1971-January 26, 1972

    • 293. Memorandum of Conversation, Washington, January 21, 1972, 8 p.m.-midnight

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 493, President’s Trip Files, Dobrynin/Kissinger 1972, Vol. IX [Pt. 2]. Top Secret; Sensitive; Exclusively Eyes Only. The meeting took place at the Soviet Embassy. Kissinger forwarded the memorandum of conversation to Nixon under a covering memorandum on January 28. Both memoranda have indications that Nixon saw them. The memorandum of conversation and its attachments are printed in full in Foreign Relations, 1969–1976, volume XIV, Soviet Union, October 1971–May 1972, Document 39.

    Vol. XIV, Soviet Union, October 1971-May 1972

    Preparing for Moscow and Nixon's Trip to China, January 1-March 29, 1972

    • 39. Memorandum of Conversation, Washington, January 21, 1972, 8 p.m.-12 a.m.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 493, President’s Trip Files, Dobrynin/Kissinger, 1972, Vol. 9 [Pt. 2]. Top Secret; Sensitive; Exclusively Eyes Only. This meeting was held over dinner at the Soviet Embassy. A notation on the memorandum indicates the President saw it. On January 28 Kissinger sent this memorandum and the attached letter to Nixon. A January 21 memorandum from Sonnenfeldt to Kissinger contained a briefing for this meeting. (Ibid.) On January 31 Haig sent Eliot a sanitized version of this memorandum of conversation that did not mention the Middle East, South Asia, summit preparations, trade, and Vietnam. (Ibid.) Kissinger recounts this meeting in White House Years, pp. 1126–1127.

    Vol. XXIX, Eastern Mediterranean, 1969-1972

    Cyprus

    Vol. E-7, Documents on South Asia, 1969-1972

    U.S. Relations with India and Pakistan, 1972

    • 211. Airgram A–20 From the Embassy in India to the Department of State, New Delhi, January 21, 1972

      The Embassy offered an assessment of India’s nuclear intentions.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, DEF 18–8 INDIA. Secret; Exdis; Noforn; dissem/controlled, dissem/no dissem abroad. For background use only. Repeated to Bombay, Calcutta, and Madras. Drafted on January 17 by political officer Harmon Kirby and approved by DCM Galen Stone.

    Vol. E-7, Documents on South Asia, 1969-1972

    U.S. Relations with India and Pakistan, 1972

    • 212. Telegram 11838 From the Department of State to the Embassy in India, Washington, January 21, 1972, 1406Z

      Ambassador Jha met with Under Secretary of State Irwin to reiterate India’s interest in improved relations with the United States.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL INDIA–US. Secret; Limdis. Drafted on January 20 by Quainton, cleared by Van Hollen, and approved by Irwin. Repeated to Kathmandu, Dacca, Islamabad, Saigon, and Moscow.

    Vol. E-16, Documents on Chile, 1969-1973

    Cool and Correct: The U.S. Response to the Allende Administration, November 5, 1970-December 31, 1972

    • 99. Memorandum for the 40 Committee, Washington, January 21, 1972

      Summary: This status report to the 40 Committee on U.S. covert funding of opposition political parties in Chile recounted the dispersal of funds to each party, the purposes for which the funding was expended, and its effectiveness since November 5, 1971.

      Source: National Security Council, Nixon Intelligence Files, Subject Files, Chile, 40 Committee Records, Minutes. Secret; Sensitive; Eyes Only. At the bottom of the first page, a notation in an unknown hand reads: “Distributed to the 40 Committee 24 Jan 1972. No Minutes on this item. Hewitt (NSC) read on 11 Feb 1972.”

  • 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-8306 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-8306-, Picture of the gift to the President from the members of Congress. 1/21/1972, Washington, D.C. Grand Hall, White House.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8306-, Dinner honoring present and former administration officials marking the third anniversary of President Nixon's inauguration. 1/21/1972, Washington, D.C. Grand Hall, White House. Judy Agnew, Spiro Agnew, Pat Nixon, President Nixon.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8306-, President Nixon and Pat Nixon viewing a gift from members of Congress. 1/21/1972, Washington, D.C. Grand Hall, White House. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, William P. Rogers, Adele Rogers.

    Roll WHPO-8307 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-8307-, Display Board. 1/21/1972, Washington, D.C. Red Room, White House.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8307-, Display Board. 1/21/1972, Washington, D.C. Red Room, White House.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8307-, Display Board. 1/21/1972, Washington, D.C. Red Room, White House.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8307-, Display Board. 1/21/1972, Washington, D.C. Red Room, White House.

    Roll WHPO-8308 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-8308-, President Nixon in the Oval Office during a meeting with Roman Catholic clergy leaders to discuss Cardinal Cooke's Christmas tour of Vietnam and federal support to parochial schools. 1/21/1972, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Terrence Cardinal Cooke, Archbishop of New York City, Brig. Gen. Alexander Haig, Jr., Deputy Assistant.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8308-, President Nixon in the Oval Office during a meeting with Roman Catholic Cardinal Cooke to discuss Cardinal Cooke's Christmas tour of Vietnam and federal support to parochial schools. 1/21/1972, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Terrence Cardinal Cooke, Archbishop of New York City.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8308-, President Nixon in the Oval Office during a meeting with Roman Catholic clergy leaders to discuss Cardinal Cooke's Christmas tour of Vietnam and federal support to parochial schools. 1/21/1972, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Peter Flanigan Assistant, Monsignor Theodore E. McCarrick, President of Catholic University, Terrence Cardinal Cooke, Archbishop of New York City, President Nixon and Brig. Gen. Alexander Haig, Jr. Deputy Assistant.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8308-18, President Nixon in the Oval Office during a meeting with Roman Catholic clergy leaders to discuss Cardinal Cooke's Christmas tour of Vietnam and federal support to parochial schools. 1/21/1972, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Terrence Cardinal Cooke, Archbishop of New York City.

    Roll WHPO-8309 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W:

    • Frame(s): WHPO-8309-, Meeting of Richard Cook and Tom Korologos. 1/21/1972, Washington, D.C. White House. Richard Cook and Tom Korologos.

    Roll WHPO-8310 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-8310-, Display of gifts from African nations to Pat Nixon. 1/21/1972, Washington, D.C. White House.

    Roll WHPO-8311 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-8311-, Vice President Agnew meeting with the Governor's Executive Committee. 1/21/1972, Washington, D.C. White House. Vice President Agnew and Governors.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8311-, Vice President Agnew meeting with the Governor's Executive Committee. 1/21/1972, Washington, D.C. White House. Vice President Agnew and Governors.

    Roll WHPO-8312 Photographer: Schumaker, Byron | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-8312-, Ron Ziegler and undersecretary Silberman brief press on the Dock strike. 1/21/1972, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. Ron Ziegler and undersecretary Silberman.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8312-, Ron Ziegler and undersecretary Silberman brief press on the Dock strike. 1/21/1972, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. Ron Ziegler and under sec. Silberman.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8312-, Ron Ziegler and undersecretary Silberman brief the press on the Dock strike. 1/21/1972, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. Ron Ziegler, undersecretary Silberman.

  • 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-493
      Press briefing by Ronald Ziegler and Larry Silberman. (1/21/1972, Four Ambassadors, Miami, Florida)

      Runtime: 25:00:00

      Keywords: Press conferences, news conferences, interviews, media, press secretary

      Production credits: Audio feed supplied by WHCA; Recorded by DAS (initials of WHCA engineer)

      Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.

    I - Various Administration Events

    • WHCA-SR-I-098
      Democrats' response on WRC-TV to Nixon's State of the Union message [see P-720108]. (1/21/1972, WRC-TV)

      Runtime: [Nonelisted]

      Keywords: Television, Presidential campaigns, Presidential elections, 1972 Presidential campaign, 1972 Presidential election

      Production credits: Audio feed supplied by "OFF AIR"; Recorded by RWF (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-4988
      Democrats respond to the 1972 State of the Union Address on NBC; ABC and CBS Commentary on the Democratic reply.
      CBS
      Runtime: 01:33:00
    • WHCA-4989
      Content Found on Tape 4988.
      PBS
      Runtime:
    • WHCA-4990
      Commentary on the Democratic reply. David Frye.
      NBC
      Runtime: 1:00
    • WHCA-4991
      "Martin Agronsky: Evening Edition".
      PBS
      Runtime: 00:29:23
    • WHCA-5007
      Weekly News Summary, Tape I.
      All networks
      Runtime: 1:30

      1. Smith/Donaldson: GNP figures, Cost of living figures; Comment by Herbert Stein. Time Code Start: 00:00. Keywords: gross national product, market value, products, goods and services, labor, property, economy, economics, budgets, finances, recession, inflation, money, wages, costs, unemployment, prices, reports. Network: ABC.

      2. Reasoner/Jarriel: President Nixon's legislation to stop the dock strike, Ziegler, Silberman. Time Code Start: 02:36. Keywords: harbors, Stevedores, dock workers, longshoremen, strikes, recession, inflation, wages, unemployment, trade, negotiations, trade, negotiations. Network: ABC.

      3. Smith/Clark: Democratic rebuttal to President Nixon's State of the Union message, Church, Dole. Time Code Start: 04:24. Keywords: Presidents, speeches, Congress, House of Representatives, Senate, Senators. Network: ABC.

      4. Reasoner/Farmer: Senator McGovern campaigning in Florida. Time Code Start: 07:40. Keywords: elections, campaigns, campaigning, primaries, candidates, voting, speeches. Network: ABC.

      5. Smith/Giggans: Upcoming TET offensive. Time Code Start: 09:44. Keywords: Vietnam War, bombings, holidays,. Network: ABC.

      6. Reasoner/Peterson: Draft lottery; Army group 4 trainees. Time Code Start: 11:56. Keywords: military, conscription, selective service, lottery, laws, Vietnam War, Armed Forces, troops, draft reform, draft evasion. Network: ABC.

      7. Reasoner: Commentary on budget. Time Code Start: 15:32. Keywords: reports, economy, economics, budgets, finances, recession, inflation, money, wages, costs, unemployment, prices, payments. Network: ABC.

      8. Chancellor/Levine: Prices up in Dec, Herbert Stein. Time Code Start: 17:22. Keywords: wage and price controls, freezes, prices, costs, increases, decreases, economy, economics, budgets, finances, recession, inflation, money. Network: NBC.

      9. Chancellor: President Nixon asks Congress to end dock strike. Time Code Start: 20:30. Keywords: harbors, Stevedores, dock workers, longshoremen, strikes, recession, inflation, wages, unemployment, trade, negotiations, trade, negotiations. Network: NBC.

      10. Chancellor: Democratic response to President Nixon's State of the Union message, Eagleton, Senator Proxmire, Church. Time Code Start: 21:03. Keywords: Presidents, speeches, Congress, House of Representatives, Senate, Senators. Network: NBC.

      11. Chancellor/Goralski: Budget report; Defense spending. Time Code Start: 23:40. Keywords: military, reports, economy, economics, budgets, finances, recession, inflation, money, wages, costs, unemployment, prices, payments. Network: NBC.

      12. Cronkite: Cost of living and Gross National Product (GNP) up for Dec. Time Code Start: 28:19. Keywords: economy, economics, budgets, finances, recession, inflation, money, wages, costs, unemployment, prices, reports. Network: CBS.

      13. Cronkite/Rather: President Nixon asks Congress to end dock strike, Ziegler, Silberman. Time Code Start: 29:30. Keywords: harbors, Stevedores, dock workers, longshoremen, strikes, recession, inflation, wages, unemployment, trade, negotiations, trade, negotiations. Network: CBS.

      14. Cronkite/Morton/Schorr/Clark/Rick: Senator Muskie receives endorsements; Hubert H. Humphrey, McGovern, Governor George Wallace, Jackson, Mayor John Lindsay. Time Code Start: 31:56. Keywords: Senators, Governors, Mayors, Presidential elections, campaigns, primaries, candidates. Network: CBS.

      15. Cronkite/Sevareid: Democratic response to President Nixon's State of the Union address message. Time Code Start: 37:55. Keywords: Presidents, speeches, Congress, House of Representatives, Senate, Senators. Network: CBS.

      16. Cronkite: Dole charges Democrats with involving U.S. in Vietnam. Time Code Start: 39:40. Keywords: Vietnam War. Network: CBS.

Context (External Sources)