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March 11, 1974

Introduction

This almanac page for Monday, March 11, 1974, 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, March 10, 1974

Next Date: Tuesday, March 12, 1974

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 Key Biscayne, Florida

  • 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.

    • Annotated and Unmarked News Summaries [Note: Although there was no News Summary on this date, due to the way News Summary products were compiled, you should also consult nearby days for potentially relevant materials.]

    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 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. XVIII, China, 1973-1976

    Political Turmoil in the United States, June 1973-September 1974

    • 73. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Secretary Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon, Washington, March 11, 1974

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–245, National Security Decision Memoranda, NSDM 248. Top Secret; Sensitive. Sent for action. Kennedy, Smyser, and Solomon sent this memorandum to Kissinger on March 7, with the recommendation that he sign and send it to the President. (Ibid.) A stamped notation at the top of the page indicates the President did see it.

    Vol. XXVII, Iran; Iraq, 1973-1976

    Iran, September 1973-November 1974

    • 55. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Iran, Washington, March 11, 1974, 2253Z

      Source: Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Kissinger Papers, Box CL–152, Iran, Chronological File, Jan–30 April 1974. Secret. Drafted by Miklos, cleared by Davies, and approved by Kissinger. Repeated to the Departments of the Treasury, Commerce, and Defense and to AEC.

    Vol. XXXV, National Security Policy, 1973-1976

    Intelligence and the Experiment in Competitive Analysis

    Vol. XXXVI, Energy Crisis, 1969-1974

    October 6, 1973-March 22, 1974

    Vol. XXXVIII, Part 1, Foundations of Foreign Policy, 1973-1976

    Foundations of Foreign Policy, 1973-1976

    • 29. Memorandum of Conversation, Washington, March 11, 1974, 3:10-4:45 p.m.

      Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Memoranda of Conversations, 1973–1977, Box 3, Memoranda of Conversations—Nixon Administration, March 11, 1974—Kissinger, Schlesinger, Joint Chiefs. Secret; Nodis. The meeting took place at the Pentagon.

    Vol. E-3, Documents on Global Issues, 1973-1976

    Space and Telecommunications

    • 93. Telegram 48280 From the Department of State to the United States Mission to the United Nations at Geneva, Washington, March 11, 1974, 1924Z

      The telegram forwarded instructions for the U.S. delegation to the UN Working Group on Direct Broadcast Satellites.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files. Limited Official Use; Priority. Repeated for information to USUN New York. Drafted by Gathright and Black; cleared in L/UNA, IO/UNP, EB/TD, and CU; and approved by Blake. The Draft Principles on Direct Broadcast Satellites, circulated by the U.S. delegation on March 12, are published in UN document A/AC.105/127, Annex IV.

    Vol. E-9, Part 2, Documents on the Middle East Region, 1973-1976

    Saudi Arabia

    • 105. Telegram From the Embassy in Saudi Arabia to the Department of State, Jidda, March 11, 1974, 1153Z

      Summary: The Embassy discussed the Saudi response to the joint commission proposal outlined in telegram 45027 to Jidda, March 6. (Document 104)

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 631, Country Files, Middle East, Saudi Arabia, Volume V, January 1, 1974–April 1974. Secret; Niact Immediate; Exdis. Published from a copy that was received in the White House Situation Room. Reference telegrams A and C were not found. Telegram 2788 from Manila, March 10, is in the National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P740141–1164.

    Vol. E-15, Part 2, Documents on Western Europe, 1973-1976, Second, Revised Edition

    Western Europe Regional, 1973-1976

    • 52. Memorandum of Conversation, Washington, March 11, 1974, 12:15 p.m.

      Summary: Kissinger, McCloskey, Sonnenfeldt, Hartman, Lord, Hyland, Eagleburger, and Springsteen discussed the EC-Arab initiative and U.S.-West European relations.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Records of the Office of the Counselor, Helmut C. Sonnenfeldt, 1955–1977, Entry 5339, Box 4, HS Chron-Official, Jan–Apr 1974. Secret; Nodis; Eyes Only. Drafted by Robert Blackwill in C on March 12. The meeting took place in Kissinger’s office. In telegram 3043 from London, March 11, the Embassy reported on two UK newspaper articles on U.S.–EC relations, including a front-page story in the London Times about Nixon’s letter to Brandt transmitted in telegram 44480 to Bonn, Document 51.

  • 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-E2358 Photographer: Moore, Robert (Supervisor/Director, WHPO Photographic Laboratory) | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2358-, President Nixon with Pat Nixon before she departs for South America. 3/11/1974, Florida Homestead Air Force Base. Andres M. Aguilar, Ambassador from Venezuela to the U.S. Mrs. Andres M. Aguila r Celso Diniz, Minister Counsellor, Brazilian Embass. Washington, D. . . Mrs. Celso Diniz.

    Roll WHPO-E2359 Photographer: Moore, Robert (Supervisor/Director, WHPO Photographic Laboratory) | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2359-, President Nixon speaking at a podium with Pat Nixon beside him on the speaker's platform before Pat's departure to South America. 3/11/1974, Florida Homestead Air Force Base. Nixon, Pat Nixon, Mrs. Andres M. Aguila r Celso Diniz, Minister Counsellor, Brazilian Embass. Washington, D. . . Mrs. Celso Diniz, members of the press., crowd.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2359-04A, President Nixon speaking at a podium with Pat Nixon beside him on the speaker's platform before Pat's departure to South America. 3/11/1974, Florida Homestead Air Force Base. Nixon, Pat Nixon, unidentified officials, soldiers, members of the press, crowd.

    Roll WHPO-E2360 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2360-, President Nixon deboards helicopter and boards Air Force One. (AF1 or The Spirit of 76). 3/11/1974, Florida Homestead Air Force Base.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2360-06, President Nixon deboards the Presidential helicopter with Alexander Butterfield carrying the President's suitcase. 3/11/1974, Florida Homestead Air Force Base. President Nixon, Alexander Butterfield, unidentified aides.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2360-11, President Nixon waving while walking away from the presidential helicopter with, possibly, Col. Dudley J. Foster, Commander of the 31st Tactical Fighter Wing, Homestead AFB. Ron Ziegler and possibly Bebe Rebozo can be seen leaving the helicopter behind them. 3/11/1974, Florida Homestead Air Force Base. President Nixon, unidentified officials.

    Roll WHPO-E2361 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2361-, President Nixon with Pat Nixon before she departs for South America. 3/11/1974, Florida Homestead Air Force Base. Andres M. Aguilar, Ambassador from Venezuela to the U.S. Mrs. Andres M. Aguilar Celso Diniz, Minister Counsellor, Brazilian Embassy, Washington, D. C. Mrs. Celso Diniz.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2361-10, Pat Nixon addressing members of the crowd during her departure ceremony, looking down at a mother's sleeping baby. 3/11/1974, Florida Homestead Air Force Base. Pat Nixon, unidentified child, unidentified young women, crowd.

    Roll WHPO-E2362 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2362-, President Nixon with Pat Nixon before she departs for South America. 3/11/1974, Florida Homestead Airforce Base. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, unidentified young children, unidentified officials, crowd.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2362-08A, President Nixon and Pat Nixon shaking hands with young children holding American flags during Pat's departure ceremony. 3/11/1974, Florida Homestead Airforce Base. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, unidentified young children, unidentified officials, crowd.

    Roll WHPO-E2363 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2363-, President Nixon with Pat Nixon before she departs for South America. 3/11/1974, Florida Homestead Airforce Base.

    Roll WHPO-E2394 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2394-04-12, Pat Nixon at a reception during her trip to Venezuela, South America. 3/11/1974, Caracas, Venezuela Maiquetia Airport.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2394-08, Pat Nixon shaking hands with unidentified man as she deboards her plane upon her arrival in Venezuela. 3/11/1974, Caracas, Venezuela Maiquetia Airport. Pat Nixon, unidentified arrival party, unidentified officials.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2394-13-21, Pat Nixon deboarding her plane during her trip to Venezuela, South America. 3/11/1974, Caracas, Venezuela Miraflores Palace.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2394-21, Pat Nixon standing with unidentified officials. 3/11/1974, Caracas, Venezuela Miraflores Palace. Pat Nixon, unidentified official.

    Roll WHPO-E2396 Photographer: Moore, Robert (Supervisor/Director, WHPO Photographic Laboratory) | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2396-01-07, Pat Nixon deboards her plane during her trip to Venezuela, South America. 3/11/1974, Caracas, Venezuela Maiquetia Airport.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2396-09-28, Pat Nixon at a reception during her trip to Venezuela, South America. 3/11/1974, Caracas, Venezuela Miraflores Palace.

    Roll WHPO-E2397 Photographer: Moore, Robert (Supervisor/Director, WHPO Photographic Laboratory) | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2397-, Pat Nixon at a reception during her trip to during her trip to Venezuela, South America. 3/11/1974, Caracas, Venezuela Miraflores Palace.

  • 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-171
      Remarks by Pat Nixon at Miraflores Palace in Caracas, Venezuela. (3/11/1974, Caracas, Venezuela)

      Runtime: none listed

      Production credits: No feed information listed; Recorded by GET (initials of WHCA engineer)

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

    K - Informal Presidential Remarks

    • WHCA-SR-K-153
      Remarks to crowd upon Pat Nixon's departure for South America-Homestead AFB. (3/11/1974)

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

    P - Formal Presidential Remarks

    • WHCA-SR-P-740308
      Remarks by President Nixon on PN's departure from Homestead AFB, Fla. for South America. (3/11/1974)

      Runtime: 2:35

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

    S - White House Press Office Briefings (continuation of the L-series)

    • WHCA-SR-S-515
      Briefing of students from the Hugh O'Brien Youth Group by Secretary of the Interior Rogers C.B. Morton. (3/11/1974, Family Theater)

      Runtime: 3:00:00

      Keywords: Briefings, private briefings

      Production credits: Audio feed supplied by WHCA; Recorded by __ (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-6836
      Weekly News Summary, Tape I.
      ALL NETWORKS

      1. Smith/Donaldson: Impeachment committee and the tapes. Time Code Start: 00:00. Keywords: Presidents, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, impeachment, bugging, bugs, wiretapping, wire taps, surveillance, spying, recordings. Network: ABC.

      2. Reasoner/Jarriel: First Lady Pat Nixon leaves for Venezuela; President Nixon gets ready for appearances. Time Code Start: 01:58. Keywords: Presidents, families, wife, travel, trips, First Lady trips, international, South American. Network: ABC.

      3. Smith/Geer: Equal time for citizens to respond to oil company television commercials. Time Code Start: 04:21. Keywords: advertisements, ads, TV spots, Federal Communication Commisssion, Equal-time Rule, media, radio, television, TV, the press, network broadcasting corporations, elections, campaigns, campaigning, candidates, debates, speeches. Network: ABC.

      4. Smith/Matney: Amnesty hearings. Time Code Start: 06:53. Keywords: military, conscription, evasion, selective service, lottery, laws, Vietnam War, conscientious objectors, political offenses, pardons. Network: ABC.

      5. Smith: Commentary on impeachment. Time Code Start: 08:44. Keywords: Presidents, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, impeachment. Network: ABC.

      6. Chancellor/Hager: Mitchell and Stans conspiracy trial. Time Code Start: 10:24. Keywords: cabinet, advisors, trials, obstruction of justice, perjury, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals. Network: NBC.

      7. Chancellor/Brokaw: First Lady Pat Nixon to travel to South America; President Nixon returns to Washington, D. C.. Time Code Start: 12:25. Keywords: Presidents, families, wife, travel, trips, First Lady trips, international, South American. Network: NBC.

      8. Chancellor/Cochran: Hearings of amnesty. Time Code Start: 14:12. Keywords: military, conscription, evasion, selective service, lottery, laws, Vietnam War, conscientious objectors, political offenses, pardons. Network: NBC.

      9. Cronkite/Graham: Charges dropped in California on Ellsberg trial. Time Code Start: 16:16. Keywords: Watergate, Pentagon Papers, secrets, Russo, Watergate, courts, hearings, investigations, military, Armed Forces, Vietnam War, Indochina war, Laos, Cambodia, bombings. Network: NBC.

      10. Cronkite/Schakne: Mitchell and Stans conspiracy trial. Time Code Start: 18:13. Keywords: cabinet, advisors, trials, obstruction of justice, perjury, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals. Network: NBC.

      11. Cronkite: First Lady Pat Nixon travels to Venezuela. Time Code Start: 19:45. Keywords: Presidents, families, wife, travel, trips, First Lady trips, international, South American. Network: NBC.

      12. Cronkite/Sevareid: Commentary on amnesty. Time Code Start: 20:26. Keywords: military, conscription, draft evaders, evasion, selective service, lottery, Vietnam War, conscientious objectors, political offenses, pardons, Former Army Secretary Robert Froehlke. Network: NBC.

Context (External Sources)