July 17, 1974

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 San Clemente, California

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.

• Special Message to the Congress Proposing Programs for Development of Government Executive Selection and Training
• Statement on the Death of Dizzy Dean.

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, July 17, 1974

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

• House of Representatives: July 17, 1974
• Senate: July 17, 1974
• Extensions of Remarks: July 17, 1974

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

• Text search for July 17, 1974
• Date search for July 17, 1974

All National Archives Units

• Text search for July 17, 1974
• Date search for July 17, 1974

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 17 July 1974

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. X, Vietnam, January 1973-July 1975

Congressional Restrictions, General Warfare, June 19, 1973-February 25, 1975

• 131. Memorandum for the Record, Washington, July 17, 1974, 10:50-11:20 a.m.

  Source: Washington National Records Center, OSD Files: FRC 330–78–0010, Viet 092, 1974. Top Secret; Sensitive; Nodis. The meeting was held in the White House Situation Room. Prepared by T. J. Bigley on July 19. No minutes of this meeting were found.

Vol. XV, Soviet Union, June 1972-August 1974

Moscow Summit and the Cyprus Crisis, June-August 1974

• 203. Transcript of Telephone Conversation Between Soviet Ambassador Dobrynin and Secretary of State Kissinger, Washington, July 17, 1974, 6:50 p.m.

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, Kissinger Telephone Conversations (Telcons), Box 28, Chronological File. Unclassified. All blank underscores are omissions in the original.

Vol. XXX, Greece; Cyprus; Turkey, 1973-1976

Cyprus

• 90. Telegram From the Embassy in Turkey to the Department of State, Ankara, July 17, 1974, 1329Z

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 1312, Saunders Chron File, NSC Secretariat, Richard M. Nixon Cables/Contingency Plans 1974, Cyprus and Greek-Turkish Contingency Plans. Secret; Niact Immediate; Nodis.

• 91. Minutes of Meeting of the Washington Special Actions Group, Washington, July 17, 1974, 10:10-10:48 a.m.

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Institutional Files (H–Files), Box H–096, Meeting Files, WSAG Meetings. Top Secret; Sensitive. The meeting took place in the Situation Room of the White House.

• 92. Transcript of Telephone Conversation Between Secretary of State Kissinger and British Foreign Secretary Callaghan, July 17, 1974, 2:50 p.m.

  Source: Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Kissinger Papers, Box 384, Telephone Conversations, Chronological File. No classification marking. Kissinger was in Washington; Callaghan was in London.

• 93. Transcript of Telephone Conversation Between President Nixon and Secretary of State Kissinger, July 17, 1974, 4:30 p.m.

  Source: Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Kissinger Papers, Box 384, Telephone Conversations, Chronological File. No classification marking. The President was at the Western White House in San Clemente July 13–28. (National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, White House Central Files, President’s Daily Diary) Kissinger was in Washington.

Turkey

• 207. Telegram From the Embassy in Turkey to the Department of State, Ankara, July 17, 1974, 1251Z

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 634, Country Files, Middle East, Turkey, Vol. IV. Secret; Exdis. Repeated to Athens and USNATO.

Vol. E-3, Documents on Global Issues, 1973-1976

Human Rights

• 239. Memorandum From the Director of Korean Affairs, Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs (Ranard) to the Deputy Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs (Sneider), Washington, July 17, 1974

  The memorandum recounted discussions with staff assistants to the House Foreign Affairs Committee concerning Department of State actions to promote human rights abroad.
  
  Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files, P800109–2353. Limited Official Use. Drafted by Ranard. Copies were sent to EA/RA, L/HR, EA, D, and Seoul. A stamped notation on the memorandum indicates that Mr. Sneider saw it. Republic of Korea authorities revoked the visa of newspaper reporter Elizabeth Pond after she published a series of articles about domestic opposition to the government, prompting the Department of State to lodge public protests in Washington and Seoul (, June 6, 1974, p. 2). Tae Wan Son was Deputy Premier of the Republic of Korea.

Vol. E-6, Documents on Africa, 1973-1976

Kenya

• 172. Telegram 6028 From the Embassy in Kenya to the Department of State, Nairobi, July 17, 1974, 1505Z

  Ambassador Marshall reported that Kenyan President Kenyatta would soon request U.S. arms to defend against a threat from Somalia and Uganda. Marshall asked for Department guidance on a response.
  
  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 738, Country Files, Africa, Kenya. Secret; Immediate; Exdis. Repeated to Addis Ababa, Dar Es Salaam, London, Moscow.

Vol. E-9, Part 2, Documents on the Middle East Region, 1973-1976

Kuwait and the Gulf States

• 44. Telegram From the Embassy in Bahrain to the Department of State, Manama, July 17, 1974, 1239Z

  Summary: Twinam reported that Iran had supported Bahrain’s retention of MIDEASTFOR in conversations with the Amir, noting Kuwait’s continued opposition to the flotilla’s presence in Bahrain.
  
  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 632, Country Files, Middle East, Trucial States. Secret; Immediate; Exdis. Repeated Immediate to Kuwait City. Telegram 514 from Manama, July 16, is in National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D740190–0536. See Document 45.

Oman and the Yemens

• 209. Briefing Memorandum From the Ambassador to the Yemen Arab Republic (Crawford) to Secretary of State Kissinger, Washington, July 17, 1974

  [Source: Central Intelligence Agency, Executive Registry Files, Job 80M01048A, Box 4, Folder S–34. Top Secret; [handling restriction not declassified]. 4 pages not declassified.]

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

Dominican Republic

• 341. Telegram 2905 From the Embassy in the Dominican Republic to the Department of State, Santo Domingo, July 17, 1974, 1545Z

  Summary: Hurwitch reported on a conversation with Presidential advisor Ramón Font Bernard in which he conveyed U.S. concerns about the course of negotiations between the Dominican Government and Alcoa on payments due in connection with the U.S. company’s bauxite mining activities.
  
  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Country Files, Box 783, Latin America, Dominican Republic, Vol. 1. Confidential; Immediate; Exdis. Telegram 151562 to Santo Domingo is dated July 13. (Ibid., RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D740187–0669) Telegram 2877 from Santo Domingo is dated July 15. (Ibid., D740189–0474) Telegram 2900 from Santo Domingo is dated July 15. (Ibid., D740191–0891) Hurwitch subsequently discussed the issue with President Balaguer’s private secretary, Rafael Bello Andino, and made the “same points” to him, but “with greater emphasis this time on investment climate (Bello Andino is more hard-hearted than the intellectual Font Bernard).” (Telegram 2927 from Santo Domingo, July 18; ibid., D740193–0762) In telegram 3028 from Santo Domingo, July 24, the Embassy noted that Balaguer had informed an Alcoa representative that he believed that unilaterally imposing new levies on the company’s operations would be “the wrong way to go.” (Ibid., D740200–0624) In telegram 3068 from Santo Domingo, July 26, the Embassy expressed its gratification that its “efforts with President Balaguer’s palace intimates” had helped to derail “the proposed legislation which would have set the terms of Alcoa’s new contract a la Jamaica.” (Ibid., D740204–0013) The conclusion and the terms of the agreement subsequently reached with Alcoa were reported in telegrams 4924 and 5065 from Santo Domingo, December 2 and 11. (Both ibid., D740348–0863 and D740360–0475)

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

Chile

• 169. Telegram 4226 From the Embassy in Chile to the Department of State, Santiago, July 17, 1974, 2152Z

  Summary: Popper reported that he had explained to Defense Minister Bonilla the factors that made it difficult for the U.S. Government to provide military equipment to Chile.
  
  Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D740192–0983. Confidential. Repeated to Lima. Telegram 150955 to multiple posts, July 12, stated that the Department was “reviewing entire area of Human Rights and authoritarianism in light of seriousness with which problems are viewed by Congress.” (Ibid., D740188–0199) In telegram 4247 from Santiago, July 18, Popper reported on other aspects of his conversation with Bonilla. (Ibid., D740194–0123) In a July 18 telephone conversation with Kubisch, Kissinger referred to Popper’s meeting with Bonilla and asked if “our Amb[assador] to Chile could be taught that he is not to reform the Chilean Government.” Kissinger expressed his preference for the new Chilean Government over that led by Allende, and he told Kubisch, “Let’s see what we can do on military equipment for them.” Kubisch expressed concern that making military equipment available to Chile could prompt Congress to pass legislation restricting the Department’s ability to provide foreign military assistance. Kubisch suggested informing the Chileans privately that military aid would be forthcoming. (Department of State, FOIA Electronic Reading Room, Kissinger Transcripts)

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-E3290 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-E3290-01A-22A, Ray Price and Intern working in Price's office. 7/17/1974, Washington, D.C. Executive Office Building (Executive Office Building). Ray Price, unidentified male intern.

Roll WHPO-E3291 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-E3291-04-09, First Woman to be Counselor to the President Anne Armstrong interview by unidentified press reporters, three men, one woman - possibly Barbara Walters. 7/17/1974, Washington, D.C. Unidentifiable room with conference table. Anne Legendre Armstrong, Voice of America Radio and Television reporters (unidentified) Female: Barbara Walters, and three men.

Roll WHPO-E3292 Photographer: Fitz-Patrick | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-E3292-03A-19A, Fred Malek press briefing to unidentified reporters. 7/17/1974, Washington, D.C. Executive Office Building. Fred Malek, Bruce Herschensohn, unidentified press reporters, photographers.
• Frame(s): WHPO-E3292-20A-29A, Bruce Herschensohn. 7/17/1974, Washington, D.C. Executive Office Building. Fred Malek, Bruce Herschensohn, unidentified press reporters, photographers.

Roll WHPO-E3294 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-E3294-01-13, Ron Ziegler riding his Honda motorcycle by "The Western White House Administration Building" sign. 7/17/1974, San Clemente, California La Casa Pacifica. Ron Ziegler.
• Frame(s): WHPO-E3294-14-19, National Citizens' Committee for Fairness to the Presidency, President & Author, Rabbi Baruch Korff presents President Nixon with a copy of his book "The Personal Nixon: Staying On The Summit.". 7/17/1974, San Clemente, California La Casa Pacifica. President Nixon, Rabbi Baruch Korff.
• Frame(s): WHPO-E3294-21-23, Presidential Staff member breakfast on the patio at Western White House. 7/17/1974, San Clemente, California La Casa Pacifica. 8 unidentified administrative staff members - all men.

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.

B - Vice-Presidential (Agnew and Ford)

• WHCA-SR-B-274
  Posthumous Medal of Honor presentation ceremony with remarks by Vice President Ford. (7/17/1974, Blair House, Washington, D.C.)
  
  Runtime: 0:08:52
  
  Production credits: Audio feed supplied by WHCA; Recorded by RHS (initials of WHCA engineer)
  
  Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original. Technical notes: 1 minutes and 39 seconds of silence at end of recording removed from access copies. Volume level adjustment made due to drop in volume at 1 minute and 15 seconds - adjustment made only for access copies.

S - White House Press Office Briefings (continuation of the L-series)

• WHCA-SR-S-669
  White House prayer and Bible study. (7/17/1974, Family Theater)
  
  Runtime: 48:00:00
  
  Keywords: Church service, worship service, prayer service, religion
  
  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-676
  Press briefing by Gerald Warren. (7/17/1974, Surf and Sands Press Center, Laguna Beach)
  
  Runtime: 33:15:00
  
  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-7070
  "Panorama". John W. Dean III.
  ABC
  Runtime: 1:30
• WHCA-7079
  Weekly News Summary, Tape I.
  ALL NETWORKS
  Runtime: 1:30
  
  32. Smith/Donaldson: Attorney Kalmbach testimony and imposed impeachment resolutions with Fish, McClory. Time Code Start: 72:46. Keywords: attorneys, lawyers, Presidents, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, impeachment. Network: ABC.
  
  33. Smith/Clark: Federal Reserve Board's Arthur Burns proposal plan to cut federal spending by $10 billion to stop inflation; Senator Carl Curtis says cut Congressional salaries 10%. Time Code Start: 75:10. Keywords: cabinet, advisors, proposals, budget, salary. Network: ABC.
  
  34. Smith: Commentary on Cyprus coup; Greece and Turkey long time enemies; US should use all influence to stop Cypriot coup. Time Code Start: 76:43. Keywords: Eastern Mediterranean, Islands, Middle East, Mideast, Turkey, government, invasions, takeovers. Network: ABC.
  
  35. Utley/Valeriani: U.S. reaction to Cyprian crisis. Time Code Start: 78:29. Keywords: Cyprus, Turkish, war, coups, takeovers. Network: NBC.
  
  36. Utley/Scherer: Kalmbach testifies before House Judiciary Committee, proposed articles of impeachment. Time Code Start: 79:44. Keywords: attorneys, lawyers, Presidents, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, impeachment. Network: NBC.
  
  37. Utley/Lewis: Woodland Hills, Texas has an impeachment vote over Mayor Nina Robbin. Time Code Start: 82:00. Keywords: Mayors, city councils, voting, losses, impeachment, women. Network: NBC.
  
  38. Utley/Levine: GNP figures and the economy. Time Code Start: 84:10. Keywords: reports, economy, economics, budgets, finances, recession, inflation, money, wages, costs, unemployment, prices. Network: NBC.
  
  39. Cronkite/Collingwood: Cyprian crisis, President of Cyprus Archbishop Makarios III in London. Time Code Start: 86:20. Keywords: world, governments, organizations, religion, leaders, officials, Presidents, Eastern Mediterranean, Islands, travel, trips, speeches. Network: CBS.
  
  40. Cronkite/Morton: Kalmbach testifies before House Judiciary Committee with President Nixon's attorney St. Clair. Time Code Start: 90:26. Keywords: advisors, attorneys, lawyers, Presidential elections, fundraising, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals, impeachment, resignations. Network: CBS.
  
  41. Cronkite/Chung: No television at House Judiciary Committee meeting with Representative McClory and Representative Wiggins. Time Code Start: 92:13. Keywords: Senate committee hearings, Watergate, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals, impeachment, resignations. Network: CBS.
• WHCA-7080
  Weekly News Summary, Tape II.
  ALL NETWORKS
  Runtime: 1:30
  
  1. Cronkite/Sevareid: Commentary on What is an impeachable offense?. Time Code Start: 00:00. Keywords: Presidents, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, impeachment. Network: CBS.

• New York Times of July 17, 1974

• AP Images photos from July 17, 1974
• Getty Images photos from July 17, 1974

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.

• July 1974 Broadcast Index

Wikipedia is a free encyclopedia that anyone can edit.

• July 17, 1974