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January 26, 1969

Introduction

This almanac page for Sunday, January 26, 1969, 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: Saturday, January 25, 1969

Next Date: Monday, January 27, 1969

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.

    Announcements

    Letters, Memorandums, Etc.

    Digest of Other White House Announcements

    Following is a listing of items of general interest which were announced in the press but not made public as formal White House press releases during the period covered by this issue. Appointments requiring Senate approval are not included since they appear in the list of nominations submitted to the Senate, below.

    • The First Family and members of the White House staff attended the first church services to be held in the East Room at the White House.

  • 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.

    No Federal Register published on this date

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 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.

  • The White House Press Office during the Presidency of Richard Nixon was responsible for daily communication with the White House press corps. Ronald L. Ziegler was the Press Secretary to the President for Nixon's entire term in office from January 1969 to August 1974 and Gerald Warren served as the Deputy Press Secretary. The office held daily briefings for the press and produced the White House’s press releases. Visit the finding aid to learn more.

    • White House Press Releases, Box 1
      • FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE JANUARY 26, 1969
        Office of the White House Press Secretary

        THE WHITE HOUSE

        TEXT OF THE TELEGRAM SENT BY THE PRESIDENT TO MRS. CHARLIE EVERETT

        Dear Mrs. Everett:

        Mrs. Nixon and I were very saddened to learn this morning of Congressman Everett's death. We extend to you our deepest sympathy, on our own behalf and that of the nation which he has served.

        Your son's public contributions came in many ways, in both county and state government, in military service, and -- most recently -- in the Congress of the United States. He will be missed by all who knew him.

        Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.

        Most sincerely yours,
        /s/ Richard M. Nixon

        # # #
      • FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE JANUARY 26, 1969
        Office of the White House Press Secretary

        THE WHITE HOUSE

        President Nixon today declared a major disaster for California after record rains, which have inundated the central and southern portions of the State and have sent an unknown number of persons to their deaths.

        The declaration was accompanied by an initial allocation of $3,000,000 of Federal funds.

        The President noted that he was acting at the request of Governor Ronald Reagan, who asked for Federal assistance as the U.S. Weather Bureau predicted still more rain.

        The funds allocated today are provided under the Federal Disaster Act of 1950 (PL 81-87 5). They will be administered by the President's Office of Emergency Preparedness, which also is marshalling Federal response to the flooding. The money may be used for:

        - Clearance of debris from public property;

        - Protective health and sanitation measures;

        - Emergency repair and temporary replacement of streets, roads, and bridges, dikes, levees, drainage facilities, public buildings and related equip1nent, and public utilities;

        - Temporary housing or emergency shelter.

        The OEP Regional Director in California, Mr. D. N. O'Callaghan, reports from his disaster headquarters in Santa Rosa that many Federal-State teams already are in the field. All Armed Services have been alerted and have been providing assistance where necessary. The Small Business Administration is making long-term, low-interest loans to the stricken home owners and small businessmen in Los Angeles and San Luis Obispo Counties; surveys of loan requirements continue in other flooded areas. Army Engineers are making damage assessments and assisting in flood fighting throughout the disaster area. The Red Cross is furnishing mass care services for evacuees. The Department of Transportation officials, with their California State counterparts, are surveying damages to roads, highways, and bridges. Department of Health Education and Welfare representatives are inspecting sanitation conditions of sewage and water supply systems. Other Department employees are inspecting damaged schools for possible restoration eligibility.

        U.S. Department of Agriculture disaster specialists are contacting rural Californians to determine losses to live stock, homes, farm buildings and equipment, and eroded farm lands. The Bureau of Reclamation personnel are surveying damage to flood control and power facilities.

        These Federal relief measures, supplemental to State and local efforts, are being monitored by the Office of Emergency Preparedness, which will continue to report progress to President Nixon.

        # # #

  • 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)
      Sunday, January 26.

      The first White House Church services. Very, very impressive. People all seated in East Room at 10:45, organist playing. Then piano solo. Then Mrs. Nixon, Tricia and Mrs. Graham entered from front of room - all stood. A little more music. Then President and Billy Graham and soloist George Beverly Shea entered. All stood. President to rostrum for brief opening remarks. Graham conducted service. Very good understandable sermon. Shea solo was unforgettable. Quite a show. Lots of kids. White House phone operators. Most of Cabinet. Short reception in State Dining Room after - coffee, juice and rolls. President and Graham in receiving line.

      I took California Disaster Proclamation to Church - had President sign it at reception. I called Reagan to notify him - and set up procedures for getting relief underway.

      Have everyone grinding on press conference preparation.

      Chapin and Alex and I took tour of Mansion in the afternoon when President and family went out for a short drive.

      In the evening I took the briefing book to President in his bedroom. He was sitting by the fire with papers all around - doing his homework.
    • Handwritten diary entry (JPG)

  • 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.

    • No President's Daily Brief delivered on this date

  • 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. XVII, China, 1969-1972

    China, 1969

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-0076 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-0076-01A-14A, The Rev. Billy Graham preaching to the congregation at the first White House East Room religious worship service. 1/26/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, East Room. Rev. Billy Graham, unidentified guests.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-0076-15A-25A, President Nixon and Vice President Agnew speaking with Rev. Billy Graham and his family at a reception after the first White House East Room religious worship service. 1/26/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, State Dining Room. Frame 17A, L-R: Spiro Agnew, President Nixon, Judy Agnew, Billy Graham, Ruth Graham, Franklin Graham, Tricia Nixon (background).
    • Frame(s): WHPO-0076-26A-33A, Group portrait of President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Rev. Billy Graham, Ruth Graham, and Tricia Nixon, standing outside a White House entrance, following the first White House East Room religious worship service. 1/26/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, North Portico entrance. Frame 31A, L-R: President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Ruth Graham, Rev. Billy Graham, Tricia Nixon.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-0076-30A, Group portrait of President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Rev. Billy Graham, Ruth Graham, and Tricia Nixon standing outside a White House entrance following the first White House East Room church service. 1/26/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, North Portico entrance. Frame 31A, L-R: President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Ruth Graham, Rev. Billy Graham, Tricia 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.

    I - Various Administration Events

    • WHCA-SR-I-002
      Sunday worship service, first held in White House during Nixon Administration, with Billy Graham, TW Wilson, and George Beverly Shea [see P-690113]. (1/26/1969, East Room, White House)

      Runtime: 0:31:53

      Keywords: Church service, worship service, prayer service, religion

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

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

    P - Formal Presidential Remarks

    • WHCA-SR-P-690113
      Remarks by President Nixon at the first church service held at the East Room of the White House. (1/26/1969, White House East Room)

      Runtime: 0:30:43

      Keywords: Church service, worship service, prayer service, religion

      Production credits: Audio feed supplied by WHCA

      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-3205
      "Both Our Houses: The New Congress". President Richard Nixon.
      NBC, CBS
      Runtime: 1:00

Context (External Sources)