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June 20, 1969

Introduction

This almanac page for Friday, June 20, 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: Thursday, June 19, 1969

Next Date: Saturday, June 21, 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

    Awards and Citations

    • Medal of Honor (5 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 884, June 20, 1969)
      Text of Citations of Posthumous Awards to Sgt. Paul H. Foster, USMCR, Cpl. Larry E. Smedley, USMC, and Cpl. William T. Perkins, Jr., USMC.

    Digest of Other White House Announcements

    Following is a listing of items of general interest which were announced in the press but not made public as formal White House press releases during the period covered by this issue. Appointments requiring Senate approval are not included since they appear in the list of nominations submitted to the Senate, below.

    • The President attended the first meeting of the Environmental Quality Council at the White House.

    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.

    • JOHN A. CALHOUN, of California, a Foreign Service Officer of the Class of Career Minister, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Tunisia.

  • 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 - 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.]
      • Special Labor Department Brief, June 20, 1969.
      • Staff and Department Briefs, June 20, 1969.
      • Washington Post, photo of Tricia Nixon, June 20, 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.

  • 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)
      Friday, June 20.

      President couldn't sleep, stayed up late last night calling people regarding press conference. Was up early this morning, into office before 7 30. Took Tim and went for a walk in the South Grounds, through EOB, and back along Pennsylvania Avenue. In the front entrance of West Lobby, and came into the staff meeting at 8:00, just as we were starting. Really startled the troops!

      Pretty routine day of meetings and appointments. I had a session with Kissinger - after he saw President - and he's quite depressed. Feels President has made decision to reverse the Vietnam plan and hasn't told Kissinger, or discussed with him. Feels President has been up to something all week. Kissinger has modified his view since last night, but is still very worried, mainly because he feels maybe President has lost confidence in him. Swore me to tell him if this ever happens, in my judgment. He's really quite insecure - for no reason, I believe.

      Yesterday I went through a similar exercise with Harlow - who feels (and rightly, I fear) that his working relationship with the President has badly deteriorated and is continuing downhill - and this in turn is eroding his personal friendship. He knows President well enough to be able to read the signs, and it's hard to try to convince him otherwise. He's convinced he should leave soon - to prevent further decline - and I'm not sure I can change his mind. I'll try, on the basis of his duty to the President and the country. Real trouble is, he's right - and only the President can change the situation, and then not just by a little quick therapy. He'll have to bring Bryce back into the real inner councils, and I'm not sure he'll do it.

      Bryce and I interviewed Lyn Nofziger today, he's to go into Bryce's operation as the PR press leader for Hill attacks and defenses, etc. Some internal opposition, especially Ziegler, and he is a risk because of the way he works and his possible Reagan loyalty. Think he's worth taking the chance, because we have to have someone, and he would really be good if he comes through.

      President took old staff and family on Patricia for dinner. Was in really great mood before he left. Called Elizabeth Knauer to congratulate her on her "hot dog" battle.

      Also yesterday had long session with Sam Hughes regarding White House staff. He feels we have a real and growing problem in whole domestic area, because people don't know who to turn to for specific problems. Thinks our structure is wrong, and that we have to have a man or department to function as honest broker on these problems - with accessibility and decision-making as prime requisites. Also, of course, access to and full confidence of the President. He's very high on Cole, but that's not the answer. I firmly feel now that Ehrlichman has to move totally into this role and drop all his extraneous tasks. This would provide much more orderly White House staff structure. With Ehrlichman in actual charge, and Burns and Moynihan as the planning units. He'll need a secretariat and this can be handled by a good man within Cole's jurisdiction. Have to do some thinking about the whole structure.
    • 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. XII, Soviet Union, January 1969-October 1970

    Establishment of the Kissinger-Dobrynin Channel; Dialogue on the Middle East; and the Sino-Soviet Dispute, April 23-December 10, 1969

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

    The Rogers Plan

    • 34. Memorandum From Secretary of State Rogers to President Nixon, Washington, June 20, 1969

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 651, Country Files, Middle East, Middle East (1969). Secret; Nodis.

    • 35. Memorandum for the Record, Washington, June 20, 1969

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–038, Senior Review Group Meetings, Review Group NSSM 40—Israel 6/20/69. Top Secret; Nodis; Sensitive. Drafted by Saunders on June 24. All brackets are in the original except those indicating text that remains classified.

    • 36. Memorandum of Conversation, Washington, June 20, 1969

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 604, Country Files, Middle East, Israel, Vol. II. Secret; Nodis. Drafted by Saunders on June 25. The conversation occurred on the evening of June 20 at Sisco’s home. Saunders attached his record of this conversation to a July 1 “eyes only” memorandum for Kissinger noting: “There are no immediate operational conclusions to be drawn from this, except to be wary of Eban’s vague statements.” Saunders explained that because of the “extremely personal nature of Rabin’s talk,” he would not distribute the memorandum “through the system.” (Ibid.)

    Vol. XXIX, Eastern Europe, 1969-1972

    Czechoslovakia

    Vol. XXIX, Eastern Mediterranean, 1969-1972

    Cyprus

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

    U.S.-African Policy

    • 5. Central Intelligence Agency Special Report , Washington, June 20, 1969

      In this report on Communist Chinaʼs presence in Africa, the CIA stated that until China abandoned its Maoist approach it would not make major gains in Africa.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 742, Country Files, Africa, General, Thru Feb 70. Secret; No foreign dissem.

  • 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-1420 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-1420-00-05, President Nixon meeting in the Oval office with families of posthumous Medal of Honor recipients. 6/20/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1420-06-14, President Nixon with the families of posthumous Medal of Honor recipients. 6/20/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Rose Garden. President Nixon.

    Roll WHPO-1421 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-1421-04-12, Meeting of the Council on Environmental Quality. 6/20/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Cabinet Room. President Nixon, Spiro Agnew, Lee DuBridge, Maurice Stans, John Volpe, George Romney, Clifford Hardin, Arthur Burns.

    Roll WHPO-1426 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-1426-04A-09A, President Nixon alongside families of posthumous Medal of Honor recipients. 6/20/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Rose Garden. President Nixon.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1426-10A, Julie Eisenhower and Senator George Murphy. 6/20/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Rose Garden. Julie Eisenhower, George Murphy.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1426-11A, Julie Eisenhower standing with President Nixon. 6/20/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Rose Garden. Julie Eisenhower.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1426-12A-13A, Julie Eisenhower. 6/20/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Rose Garden. Julie Eisenhower.

    Roll WHPO-1427 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-1427-03, Julie Eisenhower and John Davies at a posthumous Medal of Honor Ceremony. 6/20/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Rose Garden. Julie Eisenhower, John Davies.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1427-04-05, The President participated in a Medal of Honor Ceremony (posthumous) for Paul H. Foster, Sergeant and Larry E. Smedley, Corporal and William T. Perkins, Corporal. 6/20/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Rose Garden.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1427-06-15, Julie Eisenhower and John Davies greeting guests during a posthumous Medal of Honor Ceremony. 6/20/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Rose Garden. Julie Eisenhower, John Davies.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1427-16-17, Julie Eisenhower and John Davies leaving a posthumous Medal of Honor Ceremony. 6/20/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Rose Garden. Julie Eisenhower, John Davies.

    Roll WHPO-1432 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-1432-03A-05A, President Nixon with members of the Council on Environmental Quality. 6/20/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Cabinet Room. President Nixon, George Romney, Clifford Hardin, Arthur Burns, volpe, Stans, Dr. DuBridge & staff, Hinkel, Voneman, McCracken, Moynihand, Hughes, Laurence Rockefeller.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1432-04A, President Nixon with members of the Council on Environmental Quality. 6/20/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Cabinet Room. President Nixon, George Romney, Clifford Hardin, Arthur Burns.

  • 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-690620
      Remarks by President Nixon in a press conference. (6/20/1969, East Room at the White House)

      Runtime: 30:00:00

      Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.
    • WHCA-SR-P-690621
      Remarks by President Nixon on Richard Berlin's 50th anniversary with Hearst Corp. (6/20/1969)

      Runtime: 1:05

      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-3358
      "Newsfront" on the Volunteer Army. Dr. Arthur Burns.
      ABC
      Runtime: 01:00

Context (External Sources)