June 19, 1969

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 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.

Announcements

• Manual for Courts-Martial (5 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 877, June 19, 1969)
  Announcement of Signing of Executive Order Prescribing a New Edition of the Manual.

Appointments and Nominations

• National Science Foundation (5 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 877, June 19, 1969)
  Announcement of Intention To Nomminate Dr. William D. McElroy as Director.

Executive Orders

• Manual for Courts-Martial (5 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 878, June 19, 1969)
  Executive Order 11476.

News Conferences

• The President's News Conference of June 19, 1969 (5 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 878, June 19, 1969)
  No. 6.

Nominations Submitted to the Senate

Does not include promotions of members of the Uniformed Services, nominations to the Service Academies, or nominations of Foreign Service Officers.

• LEWIS M. BRANSCOME, of Colorado, to be Director of the National Bureau of Standards.
• H. EMORY WIDENER, JR., of Virginia, to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Virginia vice an additional position established by Title 28, 372(b), November 6, 1967.
• WAYMAN G. SHERRER, of Alabama, to be United States Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama for the term of 4 years vice Macon L. Weaver.
• EVAN LEROY HULTMAN, of Iowa, to be United States Attorney for the Northern District of Iowa for the term of 4 years vice Asher E. Schroeder.
• ROBERT J. ROTH, of Kansas, to be United States Attorney for the District of Kansas for the term of 4 years vice Newell A. George, resigned.
• DONALD E. WALTER, of Louisiana, to be United States Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana for the term of 4 years vice Edward L. Shaheen.
• LYNN A. DAVIS, of Arkansas, to be United States Marshal for the Eastern District of Arkansas for the term of 4 years vice Alfred P. Henderson.
• MELVIN A. HOVE, of Iowa, to be United States Marshal for the Northern District of Iowa for the term of 4 years vice Covell H. Meek, retired.
• DENNY L. SAMPSON, of Nevada, to be United States Marshal for the District of Nevada for the term of 4 years vice Beverly W. Perkins.

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.

• Executive Order 11476—Prescribing the Manual for Courts-Martial, United States, 1969 (Revised edition)
• The President's News Conference

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 Thursday, June 19, 1969

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

• Senate: June 19, 1969
• House of Representatives: June 19, 1969
• Extensions of Remarks: June 19, 1969

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 - June 1969 [2 of 2] [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. In addition to the individual document(s) listed below, you should also consult the full folder for the month.]
  • Morning News Play, Thursday, June 19, 1969

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.

• President's Speech File
  • Box 49, June 19, 1969, Press Conference

Among Pat Buchanan’s duties was the compilation and coordination of background briefing materials for Presidential and a few Vice Presidential press conferences. The briefings—for both the larger, announced press conferences and the smaller, informal ones held in the Oval Office—related to a widespread number of topics and were in the form of probable questions which the White House staff members anticipated news reporters would address to the President. Along with the questions, were answers recommended by Buchanan, other members of the White House staff, and the heads of major departments of the government.

The briefing books are primarily in the form of potential questions and suggested answers (often with heavy annotation by President Nixon), along with associated memos. A listing of briefing books is below, with indication of whether President Nixon annotated the book or not. Each book has an index to the potential questions with direct links to the National Archives Catalog. You should consult the full digital folder for suggested responses, President Nixon's annotations, and other documents and topics not covered by the index.

June 19, 1969, Press Conference (Annotated)

Citation: June 19, 1969, Press Conference; box 49; White House Special Files: Staff Member and Office Files: President's Personal File; Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, Yorba Linda, CA

Consult the full digital folder for other briefing materials not in the form of prepared questions and answers.

• AIR FORCE ACADEMY SPEECH
  • Can you tell us to whom you were referring when you used the term unilateral disarmers at the Air Force Academy. Do you think that speech was wise now considering the reaction it has provoked in Congress and in the press?
• SURTAX
  • Do you think Congress will pass this surtax?
• SURTAX - WAGE AND PRICE CONTROLS
  • Some of your advisers, among them Dr. Burns and Mr. Kennedy, have indicated that failure of the surtax would result in the imposition of wage and price controls and perhaps a devaluation of the dollar. Do you share the gloomy assessment of some of your advisers?
• WELFARE
  • When is the Administration's welfare package going to be ready and what is it going to contain?
• CAMPUS DISORDERS
  • There have been reports of "differences" between the Attorney General and Secretary Finch on how to deal with campus disorders. What is the Administration's position, and what is your attitude toward the legislation proposed by Edith Green to halt financial aid to universities involved in campus disorders?
• SOCIAL SECURITY
  • Chairman Wilbur Mills has said he does not believe the proposed seven per cent increase in Social Security was sufficient; nor did he believe it would pass this year. Does the Administration plan any adjustment of that proposal?
• DR. KNOWLES
  • If Secretary Finch formally recommends Dr. Knowles, will you support it in the face of opposition from Senator Dirksen and the AMA?
• SUB-CABINET POSITION AT HEW
  • The position of Assistant Secretary of HEW for Health and Scientific Affairs is the only sub-Cabinet position unfilled in the Department. The Secretary apparently would like Dr. Knowles, and Mr. Dirksen opposes this choice. How do you stand on this?
• FCC BAN ON TOBACCO ADVERTISING
  • A few weeks ago you indicated you would announce your position on the proposed ban on tobacco advertising on television and radio. Would you tell us your position?
• SOUTH CAROLINA SCHOOL DESEGREGATION
  • In a recent move, HEW developed desegregation plans for 21 South Carolina School Districts to satisfy a court order. Although current guidelines say schools should desegregate completely by the start of the 1969 school year, 18 or the 21 plans submitted call for a 1970 deadline instead. Does this delay mean your Administration is softening its stance on desegregation of schools?
• CHARLESTON HOSPITAL STRIKE
  • What is the involvement of the Administration in the Charleston, S.C. hospital strike?
• SUPREME COURT
  • Do you approve of the role the Attorney General played in the Justice Fortas affair?
• JUSTICE DOUGLAS
  • Is the Justice Department investigating Justice Douglas' connection with the Parvin Foundation.
• WIRETAPPING
  • How much power do you think the federal government ought to have to install wiretaps without obtaining a warrant for using the court process?
• KING WIRETAP
  • Can you tell us why Martin Luther King's phone was tapped and by whose authority?
• NARCOTICS STATEMENT
  • What has happened to the promised statement on narcotics?
• DEFENSE BUDGET
  • It was reported last week that you established new procedures for reviewing the budget by putting the Budget Bureau in charge of the defense budget as well as the civilian budget. Is this true?
• 1970 CENSUS
  • A number of Congressmen have introduced bills to impose some limitations on the 1970 Census, on the grounds that the census is too prying and too burdensome in its current form. There appears to be a difference of opinion on the census between the Administration and the Congressmen, a majority of them Republicans, who introduced the bills. What is your view?
• TEXTILE QUOTAS
  • Since we have not yet been able to negotiate a new international arrangement on textiles, what course of action do you plan to take to solve the textile import problem and specifically, would you seek or support quota legislation if necessary?
• EAST-WEST TRADE
  • There has been some criticism and disappointment in the press and from certain Congressional elements over the lack of Administration initiative in introducing or supporting
• LIMITATION ON PAYMENTS TO FARMERS
  • How do you feel about the $20,000 limitation on payments to farmers voted by the House and before the Senate?
• SECRETARY KENNEDY'S "CONFLICT OF INTEREST"
  • Wright Patman has made some serious charges involving conflict of interest against Treasury Secretary David Kennedy -- and has suggested that he may institute impeachment proceedings unless the White House acts first. Do you plan to take any action, and if so, what?
• SENATOR DODD
  • Is it true that Attorney General John Mitchell has told Senator Dodd that the Justice Department will not prosecute the Senator for alleged tax violation if he votes in favor of the Administration's proposal on the ABM?
• ADAM CLAYTON POWELL
  • Do you agree with the Supreme Court opinion in the Adam Clayton Powell case?
• SENATOR DIRKSEN
  • It has been said that Senator Dirksen has something approaching veto power over a number of actions this Administration takes -- the Alexander decision, the Knowles decision, and others. Do you feel this is justified?
• DIRKSEN - CONFLICT OF INTEREST
  • Newsweek ran a recent article detailing Senator Dirksen's dealings with clients and law firms which raised questions of conflict-of-interest. Do you have any thoughts on this?
• THE LONG, HOT SUMMER
  • In a few days, it is going to be summer. Is it going to be a long, hot one? What has this Administration done to prevent this?
• NEW YORK PRIMARY
  • Do you support the Republican candidate for Mayor of New York?

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)
  Thursday, June 19.
  
  Press conference day. President stayed at Residence all day. Came out at 5:45 to greet Pat on return from her trip. Called over frequently on specific questions - number of Vietnamese killed; number of Negroes in America; how to pronounce Marchi; view of political types regarding Marchi endorsement (they said he should, and he did), date of Finch-Mitchell statement on guidelines, etc.
  
  Rather startling answers on some Vietnam questions. Said he hoped to beat Clark Clifford's goal on withdrawals (all out by end of next year); there would be more withdrawals this summer - decision in August; he wasn't "wedded" to Thieu regime; he was not opposed to a cease fire, etc. Also said we'd like to start SALT talks July 21 and they might be in Geneva or Vienna.
  
  All this shook Kissinger pretty badly. He feels that it will probably mean collapse of South Vietnam government in near future and will result in South Vietnamese troops fighting us. Thieu will consider it a betrayal - as will all Southeast Asia - and it will be interpreted as unilateral withdrawal. Kissinger thinks maybe President has decided to pull out, and is taking this step knowingly. I don't think so. I feel he just wanted to hit back at Clifford - and overplayed his hand. If this is the case, Kissinger feels we'll have monumental and maybe impossible job in trying to build around President's statements and re-shore up our own previous position. Poor Kissinger gets really shook by these things, and for good reason. He's been pushing the opposite approach. He's been discouraged deeply the last few days because he feels Vietnam plans aren't working out right. President knows this and may have reacted. Kissinger says we won't know real effect for about two weeks. Tough.
  
  President went to ball game after press conference and dinner, at about 8:45, with Julie and David.
  
  Will be interesting to see what tomorrow brings - his mood was great today, which usually indicates he's made a big and tough decision, and maybe he has. I hope not, for Kissinger's sake.
  
  President called at home later - riding high - feels he was very effective. Likes prime time idea.
• 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

• Text search for June 19, 1969
• Date search for June 19, 1969

All National Archives Units

• Text search for June 19, 1969
• Date search for June 19, 1969

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 19 June 1969

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. II, Organization and Management of U.S. Foreign Policy, 1969-1972

The Nixon Administration and War Powers Legislation

• 382. Excerpt From President Nixon’s News Conference , Washington, June 19, 1969, 7 p.m.

  Source: Public Papers: Nixon, 1969, p. 478. The news conference was held in the East Room at the White House and was broadcast on radio and television.

Vol. XX, Southeast Asia, 1969-1972

Thailand

• 13. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon, Washington, June 19, 1969

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 560, Country Files, Far East, Thailand, Vol. I. Secret. Sent for information. Drafted by R. L. Sneider on June 19. The memorandum is unsigned but bears Kissinger’s handwritten initials in the upper right-hand corner.

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

The Rogers Plan

• 33. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Israel, Washington, June 19, 1969, 0151Z

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 756, Presidential Correspondence 1969–1974, Israel Prime Minister Golda Meir, 1969. Secret; Nodis. Drafted on June 17 by Sterner; cleared by Atherton, Davies, and Saunders; and approved by Sisco.

Vol. XXIX, Eastern Mediterranean, 1969-1972

Greece

• 250. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Greece , Washington, June 19, 1969, 0143Z

  Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, POL GREECE–US. Confidential. Drafted by Vigderman on June 17; cleared in draft by Rockwell; and approved by Sisco. Repeated to London, Paris, Rome, USNATO, USDOCOSOUTH, and by pouch to Nicosia and Ankara.

Vol. XXXII, SALT I, 1969-1972

Preparations for SALT, January 27-November 12, 1969

• 20. Minutes of a Review Group Meeting , Washington, June 19, 1969, 2:10-3:20 p.m.

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H–Files), Box H–038, Review Group, SALT “SWWA” 6/19/69. Top Secret. The meeting was held in the White House Situation Room. On June 23 Halperin forwarded these minutes through Lord to Kissinger. A notation on the covering memorandum indicates that Kissinger saw it on June 26.

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

Congo

• 232. Airgram 201 From the Embassy in the Congo to the Department of State, Kinsasha, June 19, 1969

  The telegram assessed U.S. interests in the Congo and the impact of U.S. policies, and proposed guidelines for dealing with Congolese internal affairs and with the Congoʼs role in international affairs.
  
  Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, POL 1 The Congo-US. Secret. Repeated to Brussels, Lubumbashi, and CINCSTRIKE.

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

Haiti

• 384. Memorandum of Conversation, Washington, June 19, 1969, 11:30 a.m. , Washington, June 19, 1969, 11:30 a.m.

  Foreign Minister Chalmers met with Secretary of State Rogers to discuss President Duvalier’s crack down on alleged Communists in Haiti. At the end of the conversation, the Foreign Minister reiterated Haiti’s desire to purchase ammunition in the United States and thanked the Secretary for U.S. “efforts to block persons trying to use U.S. soil to launch invasions of Haiti.”
  
  Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, POL 7 HAI. Confidential. Copies sent to S, U, J, C, D, INR/OD, S/P, WH, CIA, ARA, J/PM, Amembassy Santiago, Amembassy Port-au-Prince. A stamped notation on the memorandum indicates that complete distribution was made by CMS on 6/25/69. Also present with Secretary Rogers were Ambassador Claude G. Moss, Assistant Chief of Protocol Marion Smoak, and Director of the Office of Caribbean Affairs Edward T. Long. INR Intelligence Note No. 484, June 20, observed, “In twelve years the exiles have been unable to launch a well organized invasion and their future prospects do not appear any brighter. Not only do they lack effective support in Haiti, but the contenders for power there can be expected violently to oppose any attempt by exiles to enter the field upon Duvalier’s passing. (Ibid., POL 15–1 HAI)

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-1339 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-1339-, Copy of a photograph of President Nixon standing at a microphone during a press conference. 6/19/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, East Room. President Nixon, Press Corps members.

Roll WHPO-1389 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-1389-03-06, Tourists visting White House. 6/19/1969, Washington, D.C. White House. Tourists.
• Frame(s): WHPO-1389-07-08, Employees of Washington Television Productionslaying down cable in preparation for a television broadcast. 6/19/1969, Washington, D.C. White House.
• Frame(s): WHPO-1389-09-12, Tourists visting White House. 6/19/1969, Washington, D.C. White House. Tourists.

Roll WHPO-1390 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-1390-03A-36A, Tourists visting White House. 6/19/1969, Washington, D.C. White House. unidentified people.

Roll WHPO-1391 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-1391-08, President Nixon and Tricia Nixon greeting Pat Nixon and Julie Eisenhower upon their return from Portland, Oregon. President Nixon kisses the cheek of Pat Nixon. 6/19/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, South Lawn. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Tricia Nixon, Julie Eisenhower, unidentified persons, crowd.
• Frame(s): WHPO-1391-08-11, President Nixon and Tricia Nixon greeting Pat Nixon and Julie Eisenhower upon their return from Portland, Oregon. 6/19/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, South Lawn. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Tricia Nixon, Julie Eisenhower.
• Frame(s): WHPO-1391-09, President Nixon and Tricia Nixon greeting Pat Nixon and Julie Eisenhower upon their return from Portland, Oregon. 6/19/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, South Lawn. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Tricia Nixon, Julie Eisenhower, unidentified persons, crowd.

Roll WHPO-1392 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-1392-04A-05A, Unidentified man with dogs. 6/19/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, South Lawn.
• Frame(s): WHPO-1392-06A-11A, President Nixon and Tricia Nixon greeting Pat Nixon and Julie Eisenhower upon their return from the West Coast. 6/19/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, South Lawn. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Tricia Nixon, Julie Eisenhower.

Roll WHPO-1393 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-1393-06-11, Vice President Agnew and visitors. 6/19/1969, Washington, D.C. Eisenhower Executive Office Building. Spiro Agnew.

Roll WHPO-1394 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-1394-02A-07A, President Nixon and Tricia Nixon greeting Pat Nixon and Julie Eisenhower upon their return from the West Coast. 6/19/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, South Lawn. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Tricia Nixon, Julie Eisenhower.
• Frame(s): WHPO-1394-08A, Pat Nixon waving to crowd upon returning from a trip to the West Coast. 6/19/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, South Lawn. Pat Nixon.

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.

H - White House Staff Member Recordings

• WHCA-SR-H-045
  Remarks by John D. Ehrlichman to the 4th class of the Federal Executive Institute. (6/19/1969, Family Theater, White House)
  
  Runtime: 50:00:00
  
  Production credits: Audio feed supplied by WHCA; Recorded by JFH (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-3357
  President Nixon's [Sixth] Press Conference.
  NET (National Educational Television, PBS)
  Runtime: 1:00

• New York Times of June 19, 1969

• AP Images photos from June 19, 1969
• Getty Images photos from June 19, 1969

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.

• June 1969 Broadcast Index

Wikipedia is a free encyclopedia that anyone can edit.

• June 19, 1969