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July 31, 1971

Introduction

This almanac page for Saturday, July 31, 1971, 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: Friday, July 30, 1971

Next Date: Sunday, August 1, 1971

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 Akron Holiday Inn, Akron, Ohio

  • 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.

    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)
      Saturday, July 31.

      We spent last night in Canton. This morning President had me talk to Hodgson to get an update on the steel strike and the rail strike. The guys have been negotiating all night on both and still don't have settlements, and Hodgson seemed pretty discouraged, thinks there's a real possibility of failure and definitely does not want the President to get involved. So we hang tight on those for now at least. We got into some discussion on Air Force One on the way to Iowa about the wage/price thing, and I made Rumsfeld's point regarding doing some symbolic jawboning, and the President basically bought it, says he now wants to pick ten major industries where there may be strikes coming and bring them in to get at prices and wages. He feels it's not as dangerous now as it was a while back. He also talked about the need for Agnew to get out into the country and go for crowds, along the basis that the President has been doing.

      He had breakfast with John Knight, and apparently it went quite well. He wants some follow-up on that. Knight gave him some advice on Ohio politics, etcetera. In Iowa we did the dedication at the dam. Again another big crowd, not as enthusiastic––because they were all jammed in for the dedication, and there wasn't the opportunity––but there was some darn good handshaking. The President reworked his speech and brought in the need to be number one, as he had used last night at the football dinner; and he wants Price to work on developing that theme that this is a good country; that we do need to be number one because of the economic competition in the world and because of our position to help the world, if we're number one, which would not be the case if the Communists got that.

      We had a lot of discussion of schedule things also, on the plane, because he is now reviewing the thought of getting out into the country more again. We went on up to Camp David after returning from Iowa, and I did another check on the strike situation, and it appears that we're still in a problem. And the President talked to Hodgson just as we landed at the airport. He says the problem is still very difficult and problematical, and he still doesn't want President-- Presidential involvement. Then late tonight Shultz called at Camp David and said he wanted to wake the President up, because we were at the point where we had to make a basic Presidential decision on the steel deal. The negotiators were 1 and a-- 1 percent or 1 1/2 percent apart, and Abel says he's as low as he'll go. The companies said to Hodgson, "Do you want us to give in?" They're trying to trap us into telling them to. We then were in the position of having to decide whether to go along with the settlement or not, and Shultz felt that we should, but felt that the President should make the final decision on it, that we now have a chance to get a settlement. So we'll take a stab at it.

      End of July 31.
    • Original audio recording (MP3)

  • 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. IV, Foreign Assistance, International Development, Trade Policies, 1969-1972

    Expropriation Policy, 1969-1972

    • 157. Paper Prepared for the Senior Review Group, Washington, July 31, 1971

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, S/S Files: Lot 80 D 212, NSSM 131. Confidential. Circulated under cover of an August 2 memorandum from NSC Staff Secretary Davis to members of the SRG informing them the paper would be considered by the Group at its meeting on August 4. A July 28 Department of State memorandum, which forwarded the paper to Kissinger and Peterson, indicated it had been prepared by an Ad Hoc Group chaired by Legal Adviser John R. Stevenson, with wide representation from other interested agencies. (Ibid.) The paper was discussed by the SRG on August 4. Briefing materials for Kissinger’s use at that meeting, including a 13-page Analytical Summary of the paper and Issues for Decision, are in National Security Council, Secretariat, Box 98, 8/4/71 SRG Meeting—Expropriations (NSSM 131).

    Vol. V, United Nations, 1969-1972

    Chinese Representation in the United Nations

    Vol. XXI, Chile, 1969-1973

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

    Vol. XXXII, SALT I, 1969-1972

    From SALT Announcement to Summit Announcement, May 27-October 12, 1971

    Vol. E-5, Part 2, Documents on North Africa, 1969-1972

    Algeria

    • 27. National Intelligence Estimate 62–71, Washington, July 31, 1971

      This 15 page report analyzed Algeria’s international relations, noting that Algeria remained non-aligned with other countries and was skillful at playing the big powers off against each other while retaining its own independence of action. Moreover, Algeria would continue to exploit its natural gas reserves as a means for funding the expensive development projects the Government had undertaken.

      Source: Central Intelligence Agency, NIC Files, Job 79-R01012A, Box 420. Secret; Controlled Dissemination. The Central Intelligence Agency and the intelligence organizations of the Department of State, Defense, and NSA participated in the preparation of this estimate. The director of CIA submitted this estimate with the concurrence of all members of the USIB with the exception of the representatives of the AEC and FBI who abstained on the grounds that it was outside their jurisdiction.

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

    Dominican Republic

  • 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-6902 Photographer: Schumaker, Byron | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-6902-03, Press corps members aboard the press helicopter. 7/31/1971, Iowa press helicopter, interior. press corps members.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-6902-04-06, President Nixon descending the staircase of the "Spirit of '76.". 7/31/1971, Maryland Andrews Air Force Base, tarmac. President Nixon, unidentified persons.

    Roll WHPO-6905 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-6905-02, 12-13, President Nixon standing with officials at airport. 7/31/1971, Ottumwa, Iowa, air, Rathbun Dam site, Iowa Ottumwa Industrial Airport, tarmac. President Nixon, Jack Miller, Mayor Ernest Brody, crowd, officials, John Kyl, Robert Ray.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-6905-03-11, President Nixon greeting people in the waiting crowd at the Ottumwa, Iowa airport. 7/31/1971, Ottumwa, Iowa, air, Rathbun Dam site, Iowa Ottumwa Industrial Airport, tarmac. President Nixon, Mayor Ernest Brody, Paul W. McCracken, Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors (CEA), Donald E. Johnson (Administrator of Veterans Administration), Congressman John H. Kyl, Robert Ray, crowd.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-6905-14-16, Press corps members sitting in a helicopter. 7/31/1971, Ottumwa, Iowa, air, Rathbun Dam site, Iowa helicopter, interior. reporters and photographers.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-6905-17-25, President Nixon addressing crowd at the dedication site of the Rathbun Dam in Ottumwa, Iowa. 7/31/1971, Ottumwa, Iowa, air, Rathbun Dam site, Iowa Rathbun Dam dedication site. President Nixon, Governor Robert Ray, Senator Jack R. Miller, Mayor Ernest Brody, Paul W. McCracken (Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors (CEA)), Donald E. Johnson (Administrator of Veterans Administration),Congressman John H. Kyl, Robert Beck, crowd.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-6905-18A, President Nixon standing beside the plaque at the dedication site of the Rathbun Dam in Ottumwa, Iowa. 7/31/1971, Ottumwa, Iowa, Rathbun Dam dedication site. President Nixon, Governor Robert Ray, Donald E. Johnson (Administrator of Veterans Administration), Paul W. McCracken, Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors (CEA), crowd.

    Roll WHPO-6906 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-6906-02A-35A, President Nixon greeting people in the waiting crowd at the Rathbun Dam dedication. 7/31/1971, Rathbun Dam, Iowa dedication site. President Nixon, Governor Robert Ray, Senator Jack R. Miller, Mayor Ernest Brody, Paul W. McCracken (Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors (CEA)), Donald E. Johnson (Administrator of the Veterans Administration), Congressman John H. Kyl, Robert Ray, crowd.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-6906-04, President Nixon greeting the crowd at the Rathbun Dam dedication. Members of the press are visible in the background. 7/31/1971, Rathbun Dam, Iowa dedication site. President Nixon; possibly Governor Robert Ray, Senator Jack R. Miller, Mayor Ernest Brody, Paul W. McCracken (Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors (CEA)), Donald E. Johnson (Administrator of the Veterans Administration), Congressman John H. Kyl, and Robert Ray; crowd.

    Roll WHPO-6907 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-6907-03A-31A, President Nixon shaking hands individually with Republican leaders before departing. 7/31/1971, Canton, Ohio Akron-Canton Municipal Airport. President Nixon, Republican leaders.

    Roll WHPO-6909 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-6909-01A-13A, President Nixon shaking hands individually with Republican leaders before departing. 7/31/1971, Canton, Ohio Akron-Canton Municipal Airport, tarmac. President Nixon, Republican leaders.

    Roll WHPO-6910 Photographer: Schumaker, Byron | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-6910-01-35, President Nixon addressing a crowd at the dedication of the Rathbun Dam. 7/31/1971, Rathbun Dam, Iowa dedication site. President Nixon, Jack Miller, John Kyl, Robert Ray, crowd.

    Roll WHPO-6911 Photographer: Schumaker, Byron | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-6911-01A-11A, Aerial views of Iowa countryside from a helicopter. 7/31/1971, Ottumwa,Iowa countryside. President Nixon, officials, crowd.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-6911-12A-14A, President Nixon's helicopter arriving at the Rathbun Dam dedication site. 7/31/1971, Ottumwa,Iowa Rathbun Dam dedication site. President Nixon, Governor Robert Ray, Senator Jack R. Miller, Mayor Ernest Brody, Paul W. McCracken (Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors (CEA)), Donald E. Johnson (Administrator of the Veterans Administration), Congressman John H. Kyl, Robert Ray, crowd.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-6911-15A-35A, President Nixon at the dedication ceremony. 7/31/1971, Ottumwa,Iowa Rathbun Dam dedication site. President Nixon, Governor Robert Ray, Senator Jack R. Miller, Mayor Ernest Brody, Paul W. McCracken (Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors (CEA)), Donald E. Johnson (Administrator of the Veterans Administration), Congressman John H. Kyl, Robert Ray, crowd.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-6911-26, President Nixon standing beside the plaque at the dedication site of the Rathbun Dam in Ottumwa, Iowa. 7/31/1971, Ottumwa,Iowa Rathbun Dam dedication site. President Nixon, Governor Robert Ray, Paul W. McCracken (Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors (CEA)), Donald E. Johnson (Administrator of the Veterans Administration), crowd.

    Roll WHPO-6912 Photographer: Schumaker, Byron | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-6912-03-15, Aerial views of Iowa countryside. 7/31/1971, Iowa countryside.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-6912-16-35, President Nixon attending the Rathbun Dam dedication ceremony. 7/31/1971, Iowa Rathbun Dam dedication site. President Nixon, Governor Robert Ray, Senator Jack R. Miller, Mayor Ernest Brody, Paul W. McCracken (Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors (CEA)), Donald E. Johnson (Administrator of the Veterans Administration), Congressman John H. Kyl, Robert Ray, crowd.

    Roll WHPO-6913 Photographer: Schumaker, Byron | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-6913-02-12, President Nixon greeting people in the waiting crowd upon arrival in Iowa. 7/31/1971, Ottumwa, Iowa Ottumwa Industrial Airport. President Nixon, Governor Robert Ray, Senator Jack R. Miller, Mayor Ernest Brody, Paul W. McCracken (Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors (CEA)), Donald E. Johnson (Administrator of the Veterans Administration), Congressman John H. Kyl, Robert Ray, crowd.

    Roll WHPO-6914 Photographer: Schumaker, Byron | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-6914-01A-15A, President Nixon greeting people in the waiting crowd at the Rathbun Dam dedication site. 7/31/1971, Rathbun Dam, Iowa Rathbun Dam dedication site. President Nixon, Governor Robert Ray, Senator Jack R. Miller, Mayor Ernest Brody, Paul W. McCracken (Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors (CEA)), Donald E. Johnson (Administrator of the Veterans Administration), Congressman John H. Kyl, Robert Ray, crowd.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-6914-16A-32A, President Nixon touring the Rathbun Dam dedication site. 7/31/1971, Rathbun Dam, Iowa Rathbun Dam dedication site. President Nixon, Governor Robert Ray, Senator Jack R. Miller, Mayor Ernest Brody, Paul W. McCracken (Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors (CEA)), Donald E. Johnson (Administrator of the Veterans Administration), Congressman John H. Kyl, Robert Ray, crowd.

    Roll WHPO-6915 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-6915-01A-27A, President Nixon greeting Republican leaders aboard the "Spirit of '76.". 7/31/1971, Ottumwa, Iowa "Spirit of '76" Air Force One (AF1) interior. President Nixon, Robert Ray, Republican leaders.

    Roll WHPO-6916 Photographer: Schumaker, Byron | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-6916-11-15, Aerial views of the Iowa countryside. 7/31/1971, Iowa countryside. President Nixon, officials, crowd.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-6916-16-23, President Nixon attending the dedication of the Rathbun Dam. 7/31/1971, Iowa Rathbun Dam dedication side. President Nixon, officials, crowd.

    Roll WHPO-6917 Photographer: | Color or B&W:

    • Frame(s): WHPO-6917-02A-07A, Portrait of unidentified persons outside the Spirit of '76. (Air Force One - AF1). 7/31/1971, Spirit of '76, exterior. unidentified persons.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-6917-08A-26A, Portrait of President Nixon and unidentified persons outside the Spirit of '76. (Air Force One - AF1). 7/31/1971, Spirit of '76, exterior. President Nixon, unidentified persons.

  • 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.

    K - Informal Presidential Remarks

    • WHCA-SR-K-225
      Airport, Hall of Fame, Civic Center-Canton, OH. (7/31/1971)

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

    P - Formal Presidential Remarks

    • WHCA-SR-P-710713
      Remarks by President Nixon at dedication of Rathbun Dam in Centerville, Iowa. (7/31/1971)

      Runtime: 24:40:00

      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-4556
      President Nixon's Interview at the Football Hall of Fame. Richard Nixon, Roger Mudd.
      CBS
      Runtime: 00:12:50

Context (External Sources)