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July 7, 1969

Introduction

This almanac page for Monday, July 7, 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: Sunday, July 6, 1969

Next Date: Tuesday, July 8, 1969

Schedule and Public Documents

  • The Daily Diary files represent a consolidated record of the President's activities. Visit the finding aid to learn more.

    The President's day began at The White House - Washington, D. C.

  • The Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents made available transcripts of the President's news conferences; messages to Congress; public speeches, remarks, and statements; and other Presidential materials released by the White House.

    Appointments and Nominations

  • The Federal Register is the official daily publication for rules, proposed rules, and notices of federal agencies and organizations, as well as executive orders and other Presidential documents.

    No Federal Register published on this date

  • 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)
      Monday, July 7.

      President had a pretty clear day because he was scheduled to be in Key Biscayne until this afternoon. Then Haile Selassie arrival was canceled for late afternoon because his plane was delayed.

      Had a long session with Harlow in the morning and another in the afternoon regarding whole Congressional liaison problem - and a lot of specifics about ABM and surtax. President started by trying to reduce his level of involvement and ended up calling Senator after Senator on the phone mainly regarding surtax. Was highly amused by his conversation with Russell Long. He (President) called him to set up a meeting Thursday and the call took twenty-two minutes. Long went into great tirade against Teddy - will work with President on surtax.

      Rough lead article in Newsweek - really cracks President for lack of leadership and direction. Discussed with him this morning, in regard to his plan for six months summary battle plan. Clearly we need to reverse the PR trend and get our own line out. Record is not spectacular, but not nearly as bad as Newsweek says. We have another flood of legislation and activity coming. Then will put the heat on Congress to pass some of it. President thinking of moving on Family Security Plan - originally was going to wait until after surtax and ABM votes. Now feels we need the domestic momentum and leftward balance before he leaves for Asian trip.

      Problem is to get the positive story of proposals and legislative successes (haven't lost a vote yet) across to counterbalance press play of negatives regarding Knowles, guidelines (positive in South), voting rights, etc. Plus problem still of right wing Republican unhappiness because we're not adequately cutting spending, welfare, etc., and they feel we're softening in Vietnam.

      At the same time, Kissinger is discouraged because his plans for ending war aren't working fast enough and Rogers and Laird are constantly pushing for faster and faster withdrawal. Kissinger feels this means a "cop out" by next summer - and that if we follow that line we should "cop out" now. He wants to push for some escalation - enough to get us a reasonable bargain for a settlement within six months. Hope he prevails. Big meeting tonight regarding this on the Sequoia.
    • 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. IV, Foreign Assistance, International Development, Trade Policies, 1969-1972

    Commodities and Strategic Materials, 1969-1972

    • 394. Information Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for International Affairs (Petty) to Secretary of the Treasury Kennedy, Washington, July 7, 1969

      Source: Washington National Records Center, Department of the Treasury, Secretary’s Memos/Correspondence: FRC 56 74 A 7, Memo to the Secretary—July-August 1969. Limited Official Use. Drafted by M. Ryss (OASIA/OIEA) on July 7. Copies were sent to Under Secretaries Walker and Volcker. The memorandum is attached to a July 7 note to Secretary Kennedy, presumably from Petty, which reads: “I doubt that Agriculture really believes the IGA is tenable. I think State may have their doubts too but are anxious that onus of break-up fall upon shoulders of others. This consideration probably dictates tactics at Ministerial meeting.”

    Vol. VI, Vietnam, January 1969-July 1970

    Vietnam, January 1969-July 1970

    • 93. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon, Washington, July 7, 1969

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 74, Vietnam Subject Files, Vietnam, Memos to the President for NSC, 1969. Secret. The date is handwritten on the memorandum. On June 24 Rogers suggested to Nixon creating a policy group on Vietnam chaired by the President and composed of Rogers, Laird, Wheeler, and Kissinger. In a July 2 memorandum Nixon informed Rogers that “I welcome the opportunity for periodic meetings of this group” but demands on his time precluded fixed meetings. Instead Nixon suggested convening the group as the need arose “in lieu of the full NSC and as part of the NSC process.” Nixon also wanted Attorney General Mitchell as part of the group and instructed Kissinger to arrange a meeting for the next week. In his memorandum to the group Kissinger described the meeting on the Sequoia as a “NSC Executive Committee.” (Memorandum from Nixon to Rogers, July 2, and memorandum from Kissinger to Rogers, et al., July 3; both ibid., Box 1008, Haig’s Special Files, Haig’s Vietnam File, Vol. 2 (Apr.–Oct. 1969) [2 of 2])

    Vol. XXIX, Eastern Europe, 1969-1972

    Romania

    • 179. Intelligence Information Cable , Washington, July 7, 1969

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 702, Country Files—Europe, Romania, Vol. I—8/69. Secret; No Foreign Dissem; Controlled Dissem; No Dissem Abroad; Background Use Only. Prepared in the CIA and sent to agencies in the Intelligence Community.

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

    Canada

    Vol. E-1, Documents on Global Issues, 1969-1972

    Oceans Policy

    • 344. Memorandum From Robert Osgood of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) , Washington, July 7, 1969

      Osgood recommended referring Law of the Sea questions to the Under Secretaries Committee rather than issuing a National Security Study Memorandum.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 381, Subject Files, Seabeds, Volume I, May 1970, (2 of 2). Secret. Sent for action. For the final signed versions of Tab A and Tab B, see Documents 349 and 347. Tab C is published as Document 343.

    • 345. Memorandum of Conversation , Washington, July 7, 1969

      Executive Branch representatives discussed with Senator Henry “Scoop” Jackson differences and concerns about Law of the Sea issues. All agreed on the need for a moratorium on seabed boundary claims. The Interior department reserved its position regarding the U.S. negotiating stance on seabed boundary issues in upcoming negotiations at the UN.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1967-69, POL 33-5. Limited Official Use. Drafted by Pollack and approved in J. The conversation was held in Jackson’s office. For the seabed principles proposed by the United States at the UN Ad Hoc Committee to Study the Peaceful Uses of the Sea-Bed and the Ocean Floor Beyond the Limits of National Jurisdiction, see UN Document A/AC.135/25 (June 28, 1968).

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

    Nigerian Civil War

    • 82. Memorandum From the Presidentʼs Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon, Washington, July 7, 1969

      Kissinger summarized where the United States Government stood in the wake of the recent Federal Military Government (FMG) decision to take over the relief operation and presented three broad approaches: contest the Federal relief embargo; guarantee relief corridors against military violation; and separate relief from any appearance of pro-Federal bias.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 742, Country Files, Africa, Nigeria, Vol. I. Secret. Sent for information. The memorandum is stamped, “The President Has Seen.” Nixon marked suggested actions in the margin as “OK,” “Good,” and “NO.” He initialed his approval of the three approaches proposed by Kissinger.

    • 83. Telegram 6116 From the Embassy in Nigeria to the Department of State, Lagos, July 7, 1969, 1230Z

      Ambassador Mathews stated that a new, even more serious crisis in U.S.-Nigerian relations was possible arising from the fact that the United States and the Federal Military Government (FMG) faced a similar problem—how to strike a balance between internal pressures and external political realities. In the FMGʼs case, restrictions on the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and relief organizations were necessary to alleviate internal dissent. According to Mathews, the United States balance had for some time been titled toward internal pressure. Thus domestic sympathy for Ibos had led the United States to waver from its usual post-World War II stance of giving firm political support to friendly governments against internal dissidents.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, POL 27–9 Biafra-Nigeria. Secret; Exdis; Immediate.

    • 84. Briefing Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs (Palmer) to Under Secretary of State (Richardson) , Washington, July 7, 1969

      In this briefing memorandum on the situation in Nigeria, Palmer discussed U.S. policy and possible initiatives following Federal Military Government (FMG) withdrawal of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) from a relief role in Federal areas and the restrictions placed on relief shipments into Biafra. He was pessimistic about a favorable solution. Tabs A–H are not published.

      Source: Central Intelligence Agency Files, Job 89–0028R/4/41. Confidential.

    The Horn

    • 274. Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs (Nutter) to Secretary of Defense Laird , Washington, July 7, 1969

      Nutter briefed Laird for his meeting with the Emperor on July 9. He indicated that the objective was to demonstrate U.S. concern for Ethiopia’s security without increasing the current or planned level of military assistance. He did not believe the Emperor would use the leverage provided by the Kagnew communications facility because of U.S. leverage represented by its overall economic and military assistance. The U.S. objective was to retain the facility at minimum cost to the United States by providing limited but effective support to Ethiopian military forces.

      Source: Washington National Records Center, OSD Files: Ethiopia, 091.112. Secret. At Tab C is a report on military assistance and Kagnew Station. At Tab C–1 is a report on Kagnew Station. Tabs A, B, C–2 and C–3, are not published.

  • 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-1495 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-1495-09-13, Pat Nixon escorting an underprivileged children's youth group onto the Presidential yacht USS Sequoia during their tour. 7/7/1969, Washington, D.C. Potomac River. Pat Nixon, children, aides.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1495-14-33, Pat Nixon escorting an underprivileged children's youth group onto the Presidential yacht USS Sequoia during their tour. 7/7/1969, Washington, D.C. Potomac River. Pat Nixon, children, aides.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1495-22, Pat Nixon escorting an underprivileged children's youth group onto the Presidential yacht USS Sequoia during their tour. 7/7/1969, Washington, D.C. Potomac River. Pat Nixon, children, aides.

    Roll WHPO-1496 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-1496-04A-08A, Pat Nixon with an underprivileged children's youth group on the Presidential yacht USS Sequoia during their tour. 7/7/1969, Washington, D.C. Potomac River, Sequoia. Pat Nixon, children, aides, musicians.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1496-12A-35A, Pat Nixon with an underprivileged children's youth group onto the Presidential yacht USS Sequoia during their tour. 7/7/1969, Washington, D.C. Potomac River, Sequoia. Pat Nixon, children, aides, entertainers.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1496-13A, Pat Nixon watching an underprivileged children's youth group on the Presidential yacht USS Sequoia playing a game of checkers while onboard during their tour. 7/7/1969, Washington, D.C. Potomac River, Sequoia. Pat Nixon, children.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1496-36A, Pat Nixon speaking with a young girl in a group of underprivileged children touring on board the Presidential yacht USS Sequoia while musicians, an accordion player (wearing sunglasses) and drummer, entertain them. 7/7/1969, Washington, D.C. Potomac River, Sequoia. Pat Nixon, children, musicians.

    Roll WHPO-1497 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-1497-03-31A, Pat Nixon on board the Presidential yacht Sequoia with underprivileged children. 7/7/1969, Washington, D.C. Potomac River. Pat Nixon, children, aides, entertainers.

  • 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.

    C - First Lady

    • WHCA-SR-C-015
      Remarks by Pat Nixon at Washington Navy Yard before departing on a cruise down the Potomac. (7/7/1969, Pier #1, Washington D.C.)

      Runtime: 1:18

      Production credits: Audio feed supplied by "N/A"; Recorded by WB (initials of WHCA engineer)

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

Context (External Sources)