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July 29, 1969

Introduction

This almanac page for Tuesday, July 29, 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: Monday, July 28, 1969

Next Date: Wednesday, July 30, 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 Bangkok, Thailand

  • 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.

    The President's Round-the-World Trip

    • Bangkok, Thailand (5 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 1050, July 29, 1969)
      The President's Remarks to Employees at the American Embassy.
    • Bangkok, Thailand (5 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 1051, July 29, 1969)
      The President's Remarks at a Reception at Santi Matri Hall, Government House.

  • 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 News Summaries, Box 28, News Summaries - July 1969 [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. Although there are no specific documents with this date, you should also consult the full folder for the month.]

    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 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)
      Tuesday, July 29.

      A day in Bangkok. Started at 6:45, with a banging on my door and two footmen came marching in announcing breakfast is served. I sent them away and tried to go back to sleep. No luck. My room is absolutely freezing, due to super effective air conditioning. It's about 80-90 degrees outside and was 58 degrees in here last night. Trying to get it warmed up. No luck.

      President had his talks with the Prime Minister and government leaders this morning, then lunch with same. A session with our Southeast Asia Ambassadors this afternoon at the embassy. Pat Nixon got up at the crack of dawn to go to the floating market.

      Chapin and I went on a lazy four hour shopping tour, and got some brass, bronze, jewelry, etc. Saw a little of the city, but not really very much.

      In late afternoon the Prime Minister gave a reception. An interesting procedure. All the guests were lined up around the four walls of the room, two to three deep. President and Prime Minister moved around the room and shook hands - instead of a receiving line. Worked pretty well. Then long toasts, national anthems, then stand around and talk a while. Good hot and cold hors d'oeuvres. The anthems were also played on arrival and departure.

      No evening activity - so we had dinner in our palace dining room. Fabulous, again. Good beef soup, delicious fish course with excellent sauce, a very good chicken with vegetables, salad, then a group of Thai dishes - horse's tongue in curry on rice, a sort of chop suey with cashews, and a crab in crab shell. I even ate the horse's tongue. And a coconut custard in coconut shell for dessert, plus fruit.

      President on the warpath regarding some of the news coverage as reported in his summary. Feels we're not getting as good a play as the facts warrant. Probably right. There is a problem, though, because the motorcades are the only real public opportunity and they are almost entirely children and military - all obviously completely organized. These people are not demonstrative like Europeans or Latins, and so there's not the Berlin type of enthusiasm, although they are very friendly and warm in their own fashion.
    • 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.

  • 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. I, Foundations of Foreign Policy, 1969-1972

    Foundations of Foreign Policy, 1969-1972

    • 31. Memorandum of Conversation, Bangkok, July 29, 1969, 4 p.m.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 1023, Presidential/HAK Memcons, President’s Asian and European Trip, July-Aug 1969. No classification marking. The meeting, held in the Embassy in Bangkok, was a gathering of regional Chiefs of Mission held during Nixon’s trip to several Asian countries and Romania, which he took in July and August 1969. Additional documentation on the trip is ibid., President’s Trip Files, Boxes 452-454. For the full text of the memorandum of conversation, see Foreign Relations, 1969-1976, Southeast Asia, 1969-1972.

    Vol. VI, Vietnam, January 1969-July 1970

    Vietnam, January 1969-July 1970

    • 102. Memorandum of Conversation , Bangkok, July 29, 1969, 4 p.m.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 1023, President’s Asian and European Trip, July–August 1969. No classification marking. No drafter indicated. The meeting was held at the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok.

    Vol. XIX, Part 2, Japan, 1969-1972

    January-November 1969: The Decision for Okinawa Reversion

    Vol. XX, Southeast Asia, 1969-1972

    Thailand

    • 18. Memorandum of Conversation , Bangkok, July 29, 1969, 10:10 a.m.-2:28 p.m.

      Source: Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Kissinger Papers, Box CL 105, Geopolitical File, Asian Trips, July–Aug. 1969. Another copy is in the National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 1048, Staff Files, Tony Lake Chron File, [June 1969–May 1970], [4 of 6]. Secret; Sensitive. According to President Nixon’s Daily Diary, the participants included Nixon, Thanom, Thanat, Kissinger, and Dawee. Presumably, Lake was also present. The meeting was held in the Conference Room of the Government House in Bangkok. The closing time of the meeting is also from the President’s Daily Diary. (Ibid., White House Central Files) The President’s ideas, only very briefly outlined here, became known as the Nixon or Guam doctrine.

    Indonesia

    • 271. Telegram From the Embassy in Indonesia to the Department of State, Jakarta, July 29, 1969, 1045Z

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, ORG 7 S. Secret; Priority; Exdis. Rogers visited a number of East Asian countries, including Indonesia and Japan, for conferrals following President Nixon’s July 25th Guam statement; see Document 269.

    Vol. XXIII, Arab-Israeli Dispute, 1969-1972

    The Rogers Plan

    • 41. Memorandum of Conversation, Washington, July 29, 1969

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 605, Country Files, Middle East, Israel, Vol. III. Top Secret; Nodis. Drafted by Atherton. An unsigned covering memorandum from Richardson to Nixon was drafted by Atherton on July 31. (Ibid., RG 59, Lot Files, Bureau of Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs, Office of Israel and Arab-Israel Affairs, 1951–1976, Box 27) Sisco’s July 28 briefing memorandum with talking points for Richardson is ibid., Central Files 1967–69, DEF 12–1 ISR. It is published in National Security Archive Electronic Briefing Book No. 189, Document 13.

  • 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-1610 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-1610-, Julie Eisenhower with wives of U.S. attorneys. 7/29/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Blue Room. Julie Eisenhower, women guests, military combo.

    Roll WHPO-1611 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-1611-, Julie Eisenhower and Martha Mitchell wife of Attorney General John Mitchell, during an event with wives of U.S. attorneys. 7/29/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Blue Room. Julie Eisenhower, women guests, Martha Mitchell, John Davies.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1611-25A, Julie Eisenhower and Martha Mitchell, wife of Attorney General John Mitchell, during an event with wives of U.S. attorneys. 7/29/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Blue Room. Julie Eisenhower, women guests, Martha Mitchell.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1611-34A No negative - contact sheet only., Martha Mitchell and other guests during an event with wives of U.S. attorneys. 7/29/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Blue Room. Martha Mitchell.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1611-35A, 36A No negatives - contact sheet only., Guests during an event with wives of U.S. attorneys. 7/29/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Blue Room. Martha Mitchell.

    Roll WHPO-1617 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-1617-, President Nixon leaving the Boromabiman Mansion, talking with members of the Bangkok Boys Baseball Association, and speaking in front of the American Embassy. 7/29/1969, Bangkok, Thailand Boromabiman Mansion, streets, American Embassy. President Nixon, unidentified officials, boys (baseball).
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1617-16, President Nixon standing in front of the American Embassy at the microphone holding a Bangkok Boys Baseball Association (BBB) hat with "Dick Nixon" embroidered in front. 7/29/1969, Bangkok, Thailand American Embassy. President Nixon, unidentified official.

    Roll WHPO-1618 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-1618-01A/02-12A/13, President Nixon meeting at Government House with Thai officials; Thai Foreign Minister Dr. Thanat Khoman and Prime Minister Field Marshall Thanom Kittikachorn. 7/29/1969, Bangkok, Thailand Government House. President Nixon, Henry Kissinger, Thai Foreign Minister Dr. Thanat Khoman, Prime Minister Field Marshall Thanom Kittikachorn.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1618-11, President Nixon meeting at Government House with Thai Foreign Minister Dr. Thanat Khoman, Prime Minister Field Marshall Thanom Kittikachorn and Henry Kissinger. 7/29/1969, Bangkok, Thailand Government House. President Nixon, Henry Kissinger, Thai Foreign Minister Dr. Thanat Khoman, Prime Minister Field Marshall Thanom Kittikachorn, butlers.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1618-15A/16-22A/23, President Nixon at a microphone addressing a crowd. 7/29/1969, Bangkok, Thailand American Embassy steps. President Nixon, aides, crowd.

    Roll WHPO-1619 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-1619-02A-16A, President Nixon at the Boromabiman Mansion with General Jesus Vargas, Secretary General of SEATO. 7/29/1969, Bangkok, Thailand Boromabiman Mansion. President Nixon, Jesus Vargas.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1619-10A, President Nixon at the Boromabiman Mansion seated with General Jesus Vargas, Secretary General of SEATO. 7/29/1969, Bangkok, Thailand Boromabiman Mansion. President Nixon, Jesus Vargas.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1619-19A-36A, President Nixon seated during a meeting with Prime Minister Thanom Kittikachorn. 7/29/1969, Bangkok, Thailand Government House. President Nixon, Kissinger, Dr. Thanat Khoman, Thanom Kittikachorn.

    Roll WHPO-1620 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-1620-03-08, Bankok Thailand. 7/29/1969, Bangkok, Thailand
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1620-09-22, Pat Nixon visiting the School for the Blind, interacting with the children and the staff of nuns. 7/29/1969, Bangkok, Thailand School for the Blind. Pat Nixon, children, nuns, water people.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1620-15, Pat Nixon talking with children at an arts & crafts table while visiting the School for the Blind in Bangkok, Thailand. 7/29/1969, Bangkok, Thailand School for the Blind. Pat Nixon, little boys.

    Roll WHPO-1621 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-1621-, Pat Nixon visiting the School for the Blind, interacting with the children and the staff of nuns. 7/29/1969, Bangkok, Thailand School for the Blind. Pat Nixon, teenage students, nun, unidentified women.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1621-14, Pat Nixon speaking to a nun in a classroom where young teenagers read braille books at the School for the Blind in Bangkok, Thailand. 7/29/1969, Bangkok, Thailand School for the Blind. Pat Nixon, female teenager, unidentified officials, Helen Thomas.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1621-21, Pat Nixon visiting the School for the Blind and greeting a teenage girl while officials and reporter Helen Thomas stand nearby. 7/29/1969, Bangkok, Thailand School for the Blind. Pat Nixon, female teenager, unidentified officials, Helen Thomas.

    Roll WHPO-1622 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-1622-, Pat Nixon in a boat en route to the Prime Minister's house. 7/29/1969, Bangkok, Thailand waterways. Pat Nixon, unidentified persons.

    Roll WHPO-1623 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-1623-, Pat Nixon viewing vendor's wares, crafts, and snake handling near the Prime Minister's house. 7/29/1969, Pakkred, Thailand Prime Minster's house. Pat Nixon, vendors, unidentified ladies, aides.

    Roll WHPO-1624 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-1624-, Pat Nixon visits to a hospital ward during trip to Bangkok, Thailand. 7/29/1969, Bangkok, Thailand hospital. Pat Nixon, unidentified persons.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1624-13, Pat Nixon bows to make an Asian greeting gesture with her hands while visiting an unidentified patient in the hospital ward during her trip to Bangkok, Thailand. A photographer in white jacket is taking photos in the background. 7/29/1969, Bangkok, Thailand hospital. Pat Nixon, unidentified persons.

    Roll WHPO-1625 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-1625-02A/03-31A/32, Pat Nixon during her trip to Bangkok, Thailand. 7/29/1969, Bangkok, Thailand various locations, on land and water. Pat Nixon, aides, Queen Sirikit.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1625-32A/33-35A/36, Pat Nixon seated with Queen Sirikit. 7/29/1969, Bangkok, Thailand unidentified room. Pat Nixon, aides, Queen Sirikit.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1625-35A, Pat Nixon seated with Queen Sirikit. 7/29/1969, Bangkok, Thailand unidentified room. Pat Nixon, Queen Sirikit.

    Roll WHPO-1628 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-1628-01-02, President Nixon shaking hands outside the American Embassy. 7/29/1969, Bangkok, Thailand American Embassy, street. President Nixon, crowd.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1628-03-07, President Nixon addressing crowd outside the American Embassy. 7/29/1969, Bangkok, Thailand American Embassy, street. President Nixon, crowd.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1628-08, Large picture of President Nixon and the legend "SOCK IT TO THEM HARD, NIX" on a building. 7/29/1969, Bangkok, Thailand American Embassy, street. President Nixon, crowd.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1628-09-10, Nixon and Pat Nixon's arrival at Government House. 7/29/1969, Bangkok, Thailand Government House. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Thanom Kittikachorn, officials, guests, military honor guard, aides.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1628-11-14, Nixon and Pat Nixon being greeted at Government House. 7/29/1969, Bangkok, Thailand Government House. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Thanom Kittikachorn, officials, guests, military honor guard, aides.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1628-12A, Nixon and Pat Nixon being greeted at Government House. 7/29/1969, Bangkok, Thailand Government House. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Thanom Kittikachorn, officials, guests, military honor guard, aides.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1628-15-20, President Nixon and Pat Nixon signing a guest book. 7/29/1969, Bangkok, Thailand Government House. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Thanom Kittikachorn, officials, guests, military honor guard, aides.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1628-16A, President Nixon signing a guest book at the Government House. Pat Nixon stands nearby. 7/29/1969, Bangkok, Thailand Government House. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Thanom Kittikachorn, officials, guests, military honor guard, aides.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1628-21-27, Nixon and Pat Nixon attending a reception hosted by Prime Minister Thanom Kittikachorn. 7/29/1969, Bangkok, Thailand Government House. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Thanom Kittikachorn, officials, guests, military honor guard, aides.

    Roll WHPO-1629 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-1629-01-04, President Nixon greeting Bangkok Boys Baseball Association players at the American embassy. 7/29/1969, Bangkok, Thailand American Embassy. President Nixon, Henry Kissinger, unidentified ambassadors, aides (baseball).
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1629-02, President Nixon greeting Bangkok Boys Baseball Association players at the American embassy. 7/29/1969, Bangkok, Thailand American Embassy. President Nixon, Bangkok Boys Baseball Association.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1629-05-08, President Nixon at the American embassy, greeting Bangkok Boys Baseball Association players and meeting with officials. 7/29/1969, Bangkok, Thailand American Embassy. President Nixon, Henry Kissinger, unidentified ambassadors, aides (baseball).
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1629-09-13, President Nixon and Pat Nixon being greeted inside the Government House. 7/29/1969, Bangkok, Thailand Government House. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, unidentified officials, guests.

  • 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.

    P - Formal Presidential Remarks

    • WHCA-SR-P-690731
      Remarks by President Nixon to Americans and Bangkok Embassy staff , with introduction by Ambassador Unger. (7/29/1969)

      Runtime: 4:15

      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-3388
      The President Abroad: From Thailand to Vietnam.
      NBC, CBS, NBC
      Runtime: 0:30

Context (External Sources)