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January 27, 1970

Introduction

This almanac page for Tuesday, January 27, 1970, 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: Monday, January 26, 1970

Next Date: Wednesday, January 28, 1970

Schedule and Public Documents

Archival Holdings

  • 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. XXIV, Middle East Region and Arabian Peninsula, 1969-1972; Jordan, September 1970

    Saudi Arabia

    Vol. XXIV, Middle East Region and Arabian Peninsula, 1969-1972; Jordan, September 1970

    Saudi Arabia

    Vol. XLI, Western Europe; NATO, 1969-1972

    United Kingdom

    • 320. Memorandum of Conversations , Washington, January 27, 1970

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 1023, Presidential/HAK MemCons. Secret; Sensitive; Nodis. A memorandum from Haig to Kissinger indicates that copies were sent to the Secretaries of State and Defense. (Ibid.) According to the President’s Daily Diary, on January 27, Nixon and Wilson, accompanied by Kissinger and Sir Burke Trend, met in the Oval Office from 10:56 a.m. until 12:37 p.m., when they joined their advisers in the Cabinet Room. On January 28, Nixon and Wilson met in the Oval Office from 11:58 a.m. (joined by Kissinger and Trend at 12:05 p.m.) until 12:38 p.m., immediately after the NSC meeting (see Document 319). (National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, White House Central Files)A separate and somewhat fuller memorandum of conversation covering Nixon’s January 27 meeting with Wilson is in the Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Kissinger Papers, Box TS 63, Memoranda of Conversations, Presidential File, 1970. That memorandum includes a sentence that reads: “Throughout he [Wilson] conducted himself like a clever, small-town banker who, if he was lucky enough to be persuasive, might just succeed in maneuvering the senior partner into a position of carrying out his wishes by making him believe that they were his own.” Kissinger discussed the Nixon-Wilson meeting in White House Years, pp. 416–417.

    Vol. E-2, Documents on Arms Control and Nonproliferation, 1969-1972

    Chemical and Biological Warfare; Geneva Protocol; Biological Weapons Convention

    • 174. Memorandum From Michael Guhin of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) , Washington, January 27, 1970

      Guhin briefed Kissinger on the status of the Geneva Protocol package, explaining that a Presidential decision was needed on three contentious issues before the Protocol package could be completed: the use of riot control agents and herbicides; issuing a separate NSDM for these two agents; and the U.S. right to retaliate with CBW.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 310, Subject Files, Chemical, Biological Warfare (Toxins, etc.) Vol. I. Secret. Sent for information. Sent through Behr (NSC). Haig initialed the memorandum. Kissinger wrote on the first page, “Where is the Geneva Protocol package? When can we move it?”

    • 175. Telegram 122 From the Mission to the United Nations to the Department of State , New York, January 27, 1970, 2227Z

      Yost advised that a decision not to ban the use of toxins, or to allow for their continued manufacture, would be seen as a retreat from the President’s position announced November 25 by members of the United Nations.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 296, Agency Files, U.S.U.N. Vol. II, 1 Aug 69–31 Jan 70–. Confidential; Limdis. It was repeated to the White House

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

    Nigerian Civil War

    • 179. Memorandum of Conversation , Washington, January 27, 1970

      In his meeting with the President, Prime Minister Wilson defended the Lagos government and noted that Nigerians did not like to be coerced. He believed reports of starvation were self-serving. Nixon stated that there was considerable suffering and emphasized that the U.S. concern was humanitarian.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 1023, Presidential/Henry A. Kissinger Memcons, Memcon Nixon/Prime Minister Wilson, January 27–28, 1970. Top Secret; Sensitive; NODIS. The meeting took place in the Oval Office. Haig forwarded the memorandum of conversation to Kissinger under cover of a March 3 memorandum in which he referred to the attachment as an “edited version” of the Presidentʼs conversations with Wilson on January 27 and 28 which had been “further modified to remove any comments you made during the first day and cut down the first day somewhat.” An unedited version of this memorandum of conversation is in the Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Kissinger Papers, Box TS 63, Memoranda of Conversations, Presidential File, 1970.

    The Horn

    • 283. Telegram 180 From the Embassy in Somalia to the Department of State, Mogadiscio, January 27, 1970, 1115Z

      Ambassador Hadsel reported on his meeting with President General Siad of the Supreme Revolutionary Council, during which he indicated U.S. willingness to cancel its phase-out of AID programs and described U.S. encouragement of private investment activities. Hadsel told Siad that recognition of North Vietnam and Somali flag ships carrying cargo there could create significant problems. Siad sought to brush away any implication that Somalia might be dominated by the Soviets through military and economic assistance programs.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970—73, POL Somali-US. Secret; Limdis. Repeated to Addis Ababa, Rome, and CINCSTRIKE.

    Vol. E-10, Documents on American Republics, 1969-1972

    American Republics Regional

    • 22. National Security Decision Memorandum 37, Washington, January 27, 1970. , Washington, January 27, 1970

      President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs Kissinger communicated President Nixon’s response to the Under Secretaries Committee’s recommendations on Latin American economic policy, particularly efforts to promote multilateral assistance, strengthen capital markets, and expand exports.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–213, NSDM 37. Confidential. A copy was sent to the Secretaries of Defense, Labor, Interior, the Director of the Bureau of the Budget, Chairman of the JCS, the DCI, the President of the EXIM Bank, the Special Representative for Trade Negotiations, and the Chairman of the CEA. The proposals are described in Document 23. The NSC Under Secretaries Committee issued its report on January 21. (Ibid., Department of State, National Security Council Under Secretaries Committee Decision Memorandum, 1969–1977: Lot 83 D 276, NSC U/DM 25)

    Panama

    • 530. Paper Prepared by the NSC Inter-Departmental Group for Inter-American Affairs, Washington, January 27, 1970. , Washington, January 27, 1970

      The National Security Council Interdepartmental Group for Inter-American Affairs (NSC–IG/ARA) provided two basic options available to the United States for negotiation with Panama over the Panama Canal: maintain the existing treaties and negotiate interim measures providing substantial benefits to Panama, or use the 1967 draft treaties as a starting point for negotiating new treaties.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–169, NSSM Files, NSSM 86. Secret.

  • 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 of many of these transcripts can be found on the Yale University Library website.

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-2847 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2847-04-17, President Nixon seated informally during an Oval Office meeting with British Prime Minister Harold Wilson of Great Britain. 1/27/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Harold Wilson.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2847-08, President Nixon seated informally during an Oval Office meeting with British Prime Minister Harold Wilson of Great Britain. 1/27/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Harold Wilson.

    Roll WHPO-2848 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2848-01-23, The arrival ceremony of Harold Wilson (Prime Minister of Great Britain). 1/27/1970, Washington, D.C. White House South Lawn. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Harold Wilson, Mary Wilson, Secret Service Uniformed Division.

    Roll WHPO-2849 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2849-02A-05A, White House Secret Service Uniformed Division officer on guard in newly designed formal dress white uniform and helmet. 1/27/1970, Washington, D.C. White House South Lawn. White House Secret Service Uniformed Division officer.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2849-06A, President Nixon near Pat Nixon holding a bouquet of red roses, before the arrival Ceremony for Prime Minister Harold Wilson of Great Britain. 1/27/1970, Washington, D.C. White House South Lawn. President Nixon, Pat Nixon.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2849-07A-11A, President Nixon and Prime Minister Harold Wilson of Great Britain on the podium attention, during Wilson's arrival ceremony. 1/27/1970, Washington, D.C. White House South Lawn. President Nixon, Prime Minister Harold Wilson.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2849-12A-16A, President Nixon and Prime Minister Harold Wilson of Great Britain review military troops during Wilson's arrival ceremony. 1/27/1970, Washington, D.C. White House South Lawn. President Nixon, Prime Minister Harold Wilson, White House Secret Service Uniformed Division officer.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2849-17A, Revolutionary War period Red Coat Drum & Fife Corps band march performing during the arrival ceremony for Prime Minister Harold Wilson of Great Britain. 1/27/1970, Washington, D.C. White House South Lawn. Drum & Fife marching band.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2849-18A-32A, President Nixon and Prime Minister Harold Wilson of Great Britain during Wilson's arrival ceremony. 1/27/1970, Washington, D.C. White House South Lawn. President Nixon, Prime Minister Harold Wilson.

    Roll WHPO-2850 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2850-02, Portrait of Pershing's Own buglers band standing on a White House balcony above Security Guard troops standing at attention as honor guard to a doorway. Buglers' uniforms are dress black or dark Navy blue with red caps, sport bugle flags with red & white stripes with crossed sword & scepter. Security guards are wearing new white jacket Regency style uniforms with black caps and gold shoulder braid swag, black trousers with gold stripe. 1/27/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, South Lawn. Pershing's Own buglers band, White House security police.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2850-03, British Prime Minister Harold Wilson, Mrs. Wilson, President Nixon, Pat Nixon and Secretary of State William Rogers standing together on a red carpet during Wilson's White House arrival ceremony. 1/27/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, South Lawn. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Harold Wilson, Mrs. Mary Wilson.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2850-03-05, British Prime Minister Harold Wilson, Mrs. Wilson, President Nixon, Pat Nixon and Secretary of State William Rogers standing together on a red carpet during Wilson's White House arrival ceremony. 1/27/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, South Lawn. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Harold Wilson, Mrs. Mary Wilson.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2850-06-10, British Prime Minister Harold Wilson and President Nixon standing together during Wilson's arrival ceremony on the White House South Lawn. 1/27/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, South Lawn. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Harold Wilson, Mrs. Mary Wilson, honor guards, troops, officials.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2850-11-14, 24-30, British Prime Minister Harold Wilson and President Nixon stand on the reviewing platform during the arrival ceremony for PM Wilson on the White House South Lawn. 1/27/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, South Lawn. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Harold Wilson, Mrs. Mary Wilson.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2850-15-19, British Prime Minister Harold Wilson and President Nixon walk to review the honor guard troops with a militar official, probably Thomas H. Moorer, Chief of Naval Operations, during Wilson's arrival ceremony on the White House South Lawn. 1/27/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, South Lawn. President Nixon, Harold Wilson, Thomas H. Moorer.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2850-20, 22-23, A Fife and Drum Corps band wearing 18th c. Red Coat uniforms performs while marching by spectators, during the arrival ceremony for British Prime Minister Wilson on the White House South Lawn. 1/27/1970, Washington, D.C. White House South Lawn. Troops at attention, unidentified Drum & Fife band.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2850-30, British Prime Minister Harold Wilson and President Nixon stand on the reviewing platform during Wilson's White House arrival ceremony on the South Lawn. Officials stand nearby. The White House can be seen in the background. 1/27/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, South Lawn. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Harold Wilson, Mrs. Mary Wilson, Pershing's Own buglers band, White House security, police, officals.

    Roll WHPO-2851 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2851-01A-04A, President Nixon sitting at his Oval Office desk during a meeting with Secretary of the Interior Walter J. Hickel. 1/27/1970, Washington, D.C. White House Oval Office. President Nixon, Secretary Hickel.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2851-07A-16A, President Nixon standing in the Oval Office with Congressman Henry C. Schadeberg. 1/27/1970, Washington, D.C. White House Oval Office. President Nixon, Henry C. Schadeberg.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2851-19A-28A, President Nixon standing in the Oval Office with Congressman Thomas M. Pelly. 1/27/1970, Washington, D.C. White House: Oval Office. President Nixon, Thomas M. Pelly.

    Roll WHPO-2852 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2852-02, President Nixon standing in the Oval Office holding the long metal lunar tongs tool astronauts used to pick up moon rocks, during moon surface explorations. (Related term: moon dust). 1/27/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2852-03-05, President Nixon standing with members of the National Cattlemen's Association. 1/27/1970, Washington, D.C. White House. President Nixon, Senator Paul J. Fannin.

    Roll WHPO-2853 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2853-04A-06A, President Nixon meeting in the Oval office with Bernard Direnfeld (Commander of Jewish War Veterans). 1/27/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Bernard Direnfeld.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2853-07A-09A, President Nixon meeting in the Oval office with Felix Potterman (Executive Director) and Doctor Seymour Weisman. 1/27/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Bernard Direnfeld, Felix Potterman, Seymour Weisman.

    Roll WHPO-2854 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2854-2A-18A, Various shots from the visit of Harold Wilson (Prime Minister of Great Britain) and his wife Mary. 1/27/1970, Washington, D.C. White House South Lawn. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Harold Wilson, Mary Wilson.

    Roll WHPO-2855 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2855-02A-05A, President Nixon standing with members of the National Cattlemen's Association. 1/27/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Cabinet Room. President Nixon, Senator Paul J. Fannin.

    Roll WHPO-2856 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2856-03, A White House Chef arranging food on a silver serving platter used for British Prime Minister Harold Wilson's State Dinner.. 1/27/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Kitchen. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Harold Wilson, Mary Wilson, Roberta Peters.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2856-06-08, British Prime Minister Harold Wilson, Mrs. Wilson, President Nixon and Pat Nixon speak with Opera singer Roberta Peters, her piano accompanist and flute player, after an East Room State Dinner performance. 1/27/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, East Room. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Harold Wilson, Mary Wilson, Roberta Peters.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2856-08, Pat Nixon shaking hands with Opera singer Roberta Peters while British Prime Minister Harold Wilson and President Nixon stand near the stage after an East Room State Dinner performance. 1/27/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, East Room. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Harold Wilson, Mary Wilson, Roberta Peters, unidentified musicians.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2856-09-10, British Prime Minister Harold Wilson, Mrs. Wilson, President Nixon, Pat Nixon, pose for a portrait with Opera singer Roberta Peters, her piano accompanist and flute player, after after an East Room State Dinner performance. 1/27/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, East Room. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Harold Wilson, Mary Wilson, Roberta Peters, unidentified musicians.

    Roll WHPO-2857 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2857-02A-09A, President Nixon and Pat Nixon take a formal portrait with 50 men wearing dress military uniforms with swags. Opera singer Robert Peters standing for a portrait with them on British Prime Minister Harold Wilson and Mrs. Wilson's State Dinner evening. 1/27/1970, Washington, D.C. White House. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Roberta Peters, unidentified military group.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2857-10A, A butler and military aide look at name cards on a table near an entrance door on British Prime Minister Harold Wilson and Mrs. Wilson State Dinner evening. 1/27/1970, Washington, D.C. White House. unidentified butler & aide.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2857-11A-27A, 32A-36A, President Nixon and Pat Nixon greeting British Prime Minister Harold Wilson and Mrs. Wilson before the State Dinner held in their honor. 1/27/1970, Washington, D.C. White House. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Harold Wilson, Mary Wilson.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2857-28A-31A, The Prime Minister Harold Wilson State Dinner table centerpieces and dinner table settings waiting for the guests and food items British Prime Minister Harold Wilson. 1/27/1970, Washington, D.C. White House.

    Roll WHPO-2858 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2858-02A-06A, Framed Painting of George Washington Crossing the Delaware. 1/27/1970, Washington, D.C. White House.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2858-07A-09A, Ron Ziegler, Mayor Walter Washington speaking during a press conference in a White House hallway. Possibly concerning the painting of Washington Crossing the Delaware. 1/27/1970, Washington, D.C. White House. Ron Ziegler, Mayor Walter Washington.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2858-10A-20A, State Dinner evening for British Prime Minister Harold Wilson. Color guard with flag at Grand Staircase. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Harold Wilson, Mary Wilson pose for formal pre-dinner portrait at Grand Staircase. 1/27/1970, Washington, D.C. White House. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Harold Wilson, Mary Wilson, Roberta Peters.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2858-21A-30A, State Dinner evening for British Prime Minister Harold Wilson. Opera singer Roberta Peters performing in the East Room. 1/27/1970, Washington, D.C. White House. Roberta Peters.

  • 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-071G
      White House tour for the blind - Master. (1/27/1970, Studio 79)

      Runtime: 0:39:05

      Production credits: No feed information listed; No WHCA engineer initials listed

      Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original. Technical notes: 9 minutes and 11 seconds of silence at end of recording removed from access copies.

    P - Formal Presidential Remarks

    • WHCA-SR-P-700116
      Arrival ceremony for Prime Minister Harold Wilson, with Prime Minister Wilson. (1/27/1970)

      Runtime: 1:45

      Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.
    • WHCA-SR-P-700117
      Remarks by President Nixon following state dinner for Prime Minister Wilson, with Prime Minister Wilson [see J-116]. (1/27/1970)

      Runtime: 8:57

      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-3617
      "Harambee". Dean Burch, Hubert Humphrey.
      NBC, ABC
      Runtime: 01:02:00
    • WHCA-3620
      Weekly News Summary.
      All networks
      Runtime: 1:00

      3. Report on President Nixon and British Prime Minister Harold Wilson. Time Code Start: 05:00. Keywords: Presidents, Prime Ministers, leaders, England, United Kingdom. Network: CBS.

      4. Report on President Nixon and British Prime Minister Harold Wilson. Time Code Start: 07:10. Keywords: Presidents, Prime Ministers, leaders, England, United Kingdom. Network: NBC.

      5. White House Police in new uniforms. Time Code Start: 08:48. Keywords: Executive Protective Service, security, guards, police officers, fashion, uniforms, costumes, Presidential protection. Network: NBC.

      6. Report on President Nixon and British Prime Minister Harold Wilson. Time Code Start: 09:55. Keywords: Presidents, Prime Ministers, leaders, England, United Kingdom. Network: ABC.

Context (External Sources)