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March 12, 1974

Introduction

This almanac page for Tuesday, March 12, 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: Monday, March 11, 1974

Next Date: Wednesday, March 13, 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 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.

    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 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. X, Vietnam, January 1973-July 1975

    Congressional Restrictions, General Warfare, June 19, 1973-February 25, 1975

    • 124. Minutes of the Secretary of State’s Regionals Staff Meeting, Washington, March 12, 1974, 3-3:50 p.m.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Transcripts of Secretary of State Kissinger’s Staff Meetings, 1973–1977, Entry 5177, Box 2, Secretary’s Staff Meetings. Secret. Kissinger chaired the meeting, which was attended by all the principal officers including the assistant secretaries for the regional but not functional bureaus of the Department or their designated alternates.

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

    Drug Control, 1973-1976

    • 155. Minutes of the Secretary of State’s Regional Staff Meeting, Washington, March 12, 1974, 3:10-3:50 p.m.

      Secretary Kissinger discussed how to respond to the likely reintroduction of poppy growing in Turkey.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Transcripts of Secretary of State Kissinger’s Staff Meetings, 1973–1977, Entry 5177, Box 2, Secretary’s Regional Staff Meetings, 03/12/74. Secret.

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

    Middle East Region

    • 18. National Security Study Memorandum 198, Washington, March 12, 1974

      Summary: The President initiated a study on a broader economic and strategic relationship with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Executive Secretariat Files, NSSM 198. Secret; Sensitive. A copy was sent to Moorer.

    Vol. E-14, Part 2, Documents on Arms Control and Nonproliferation, 1973-1976

    • 32. Memorandum From Jan Lodal of the National Security Council Staff to Secretary of State Kissinger, Washington, March 12, 1974

      Summary: In advance of Kissinger’s trip to Moscow and discussions with Brezhnev, Lodal summarized four possible types of agreement on nuclear testing limits, highlighted several key issues, and offered a recommendation for an approach with Brezhnev.

      Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, NSC Program Analysis Staff Files, Convenience Files, Box 46, Test Ban Messages, 1974 (1). Secret; Eyes Only; Completely Outside the System. All brackets are in the original except those indicating text that remains classified. Tab A, an excerpt of a February 4 memorandum of conversation between Gromyko and Kissinger, is attached but not published. The memorandum of conversation is printed in full in Foreign Relations, 1969–1976, volume XV, Soviet Union, June 1972–August 1974, as Document 158. NSSM 128 is published ibid., volume E–2, Documents on Arms Control and Nonproliferation, as Document 303; a summary of the study in response to NSSM 128 is ibid., Document 313. NSSM 195 is Document 30 in this volume.

    • 33. Memorandum From the Director of the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency (Iklé) to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), Washington, March 12, 1974

      Summary: Iklé, noting that the Soviets might raise the issue of a nuclear test ban during Kissinger’s upcoming trip to Moscow, recommended that Kissinger raise the “closely interrelated” issue of peaceful nuclear explosions. Iklé also recommended that Kissinger propose informal talks on a “‛private’ political level” to take place in Washington at a later date.

      Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, NSC Program Analysis Staff Files, Convenience Files, Box 60, Iklé memo to HAK re: HAK’s Moscow Trip, 1974. Secret.

  • 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-E2364 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2364-, King Hussein departing from the Blair House in Washington, D. C. 3/12/1974, Washington, D.C. Blair House exterior. secret service agents; Hussein I, King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordon; Zaid al-Rifai, Prime Minister of Jordon; Maj. Gen. Brent Scowcroft, Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, officials.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2364-16, King Hussein departing from the Blair House entrance, and entering his limousine while security agents watch the area. 3/12/1974, Washington, D.C. Blair House exterior. King Hussein, security agents.

    Roll WHPO-E2365 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2365-, President Nixon and Secretary of State Henry Kissinger seated informally in the Oval Office during a meeting with King Hussein of Jordan, while reporters stand in the doorway recording the event. 3/12/1974, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Henry Kissinger, King Hussein, Maj. Gen. Brent G. Scowcroft, members of the press, reporters.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2365-06, President Nixon and Secretary of State Henry Kissinger seated informally in the Oval Office during a meeting with King Hussein of Jordan, while reporters stand in the doorway recording the event. 3/12/1974, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Henry Kissinger, King Hussein, reporters.

    Roll WHPO-E2366 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2366-, Miss USA. 3/12/1974, Washington, D.C. unknown.

    Roll WHPO-E2367 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2367-, Anne Armstrong poses with Girl Scouts. 3/12/1974, unknown unknown.

    Roll WHPO-E2368 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2368-, Ken Clawson with reporters. 3/12/1974, unknown unknown.

    Roll WHPO-E2369 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2369-, President Nixon at the VFW 25th Annual Congressional Banquet. 3/12/1974, unknown unknown. Patrick E. Carr, Commander-in-Chief, VFW (1972-1973) J. A. Cheatham) Quartermaster General) VFW Julian Dickenson) Adjutant General) VFW Odie Lee Gossett, Senior Vice President of the Ladies Auxiliary of the VFW Cooper T. Holt) Washington) D.C. Executive Director, VFW Ray R. Soden, Commander-in-Chief, VFW Mrs. Ray R. Soden John J. Stang, Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief Joseph L. Vicites, Commander-in-Chief, VFW (1971-1972) Rev. Henry L. Reinwald, VFW National Chaplain Thomas H. Walker, Junior Vice Commander-in-Chief, VFW Al Loehr, Chairman, National Legislative Committee, VFW.

    Roll WHPO-E2370 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2370-, President Nixon at the VFW 25th Annual Congressional Banquet. 3/12/1974, unknown unknown. Patrick E. Carr, Commander-in-Chief, VFW (1972-1973) J. A. Cheatham) Quartermaster General) VFW Julian Dickenson) Adjutant General) VFW Odie Lee Gossett, Senior Vice President of the Ladies Auxiliary of the VFW Cooper T. Holt) Washington) D.C. Executive Director, VFW Ray R. Soden, Commander-in-Chief, VFW Mrs. Ray R. Soden John J. Stang, Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief Joseph L. Vicites, Commander-in-Chief, VFW (1971-1972) Rev. Henry L. Reinwald, VFW National Chaplain Thomas H. Walker, Junior Vice Commander-in-Chief, VFW Al Loehr, Chairman, National Legislative Committee, VFW.

    Roll WHPO-E2400 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2400-02-27, Pat Nixon attends inaugural ceremonies during her trip to Caracas. 3/12/1974, Caracas, Venezuela Legislative Palace. Pat Nixon, Carlos Andres Perez.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2400-28-34, Pat Nixon attends a reception during her trip to Venezuela, South America. 3/12/1974, Caracas, Venezuela American Embassy. Pat Nixon.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2400-30A, Pat Nixon attends a reception during her trip to Venezuela, South America. She embraces an unidentified official. 3/12/1974, Caracas, Venezuela American Embassy. Pat Nixon, unidentified officials.

    Roll WHPO-E2401 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2401-02-11, Pat Nixon attends the Inaugural ceremonies during her trip to Venezuela, South America. 3/12/1974, Caracas, Venezuela Legislative Palace.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2401-12-36, Pat Nixon attends a reception at the American Embassy in Caracas. 3/12/1974, Caracas, Venezuela American Embassy.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2401-14A, Pat Nixon posing for a photograph on a balcony overlooking the city of Caracas. 3/12/1974, Caracas, Venezuela Balcony of the American Embassy. Pat Nixon.

    Roll WHPO-E2402 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2402-, Pat Nixon at a reception during her trip to Venezuela, South America. 3/12/1974, Caracas, Venezuela American Embassy.

    Roll WHPO-E2403 Photographer: Moore, Robert (Supervisor/Director, WHPO Photographic Laboratory) | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2403-02-17, Pat Nixon at Inaugural ceremony during her trip to Venezuela, South America. 3/12/1974, Caracas, Venezuela Legislative Palace. Pat Nixon.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2403-20-36, Pat Nixon at a reception during her trip to Venezuela, South America. 3/12/1974, Caracas, Venezuela American Embassy. Pat Nixon.

    Roll WHPO-E2404 Photographer: Moore, Robert (Supervisor/Director, WHPO Photographic Laboratory) | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2404-02-10, Pat Nixon attends a performance by the Yolando Dance Troupe during her trip to Venezuela, South America. 3/12/1974, Caracas, Venezuela unknown. Pat Nixon, Yolando Dance Troupe.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2404-11-18, Pat Nixon in a private meeting with President Perez and Mrs. Perez during her trip to Venezuela, South America. 3/12/1974, Caracas, Venezuela unknown. Pat Nixon, Carlos Andres Perez, Blanca Rodriguez.

    Roll WHPO-E2405 Photographer: Moore, Robert (Supervisor/Director, WHPO Photographic Laboratory) | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2405-, Pat Nixon at the Inaugural ceremony during her trip to Venezuela, South America. 3/12/1974, Caracas, Venezuela Legislative 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.

    K - Informal Presidential Remarks

    • WHCA-SR-K-154
      Photo opportunity with King Ibn Talal Hussein-Oval Office. (3/12/1974)

      Runtime: 4:00

      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-516
      Press briefing by Ronald Ziegler. (3/12/1974, White House Press Lobby)

      Runtime: 1:20:00

      Keywords: Press conferences, news conferences, interviews, media, press secretary

      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

      13. Smith/Jarriel/Donaldson: White House will not submit any more information to House Judiciary Committee with Democratic reation to Ziegler statement. Time Code Start: 23:27. Keywords: Senate committee hearings, Watergate, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals. Network: CBS.

      14. Reasoner: Representative Mills makes statements about President's tax. Time Code Start: 27:00. Keywords: Presidents, investigations, taxes, taxation, revenue. Network: ABC.

      15. Smith/Koppel: King Hussein meets President Nixon. Time Code Start: 29:35. Keywords: Middle East, Mideast, war, Jordanian, royalty, Kings, Presidents, meetings. Network: ABC.

      16. Smith/Wordham: Westmoreland will run for Governor of South Carolina. Time Code Start: 31:25. Keywords: Governors, Gubernatorial, elections, campaigns, campaigning, candidates. Network: ABC.

      17. Reasoner: Commentary on unprofessional handling of Watergate by Time and Newsweek. Time Code Start: 34:32. Keywords: Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals, impeachment, resignations. Network: ABC.

      18. Chancellor/Brokaw/Scherer: Impeachment inquiry with Representative Waldie and McClory. Time Code Start: 37:14. Keywords: Presidents, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, impeachment. Network: NBC.

      19. Chancellor: Oil embargo and King Hussein meets with President Nixon. Time Code Start: 41:00. Keywords: Middle East, Mideast, war, Jordanian, royalty, Kings, Presidents, meetings, cabinet, advisors, meetings, Arabian, Arabs, energy, petroleum, drilling, oil supply, oil supplies, imports, embargoes. Network: NBC.

      20. Chancellor/Goralski: Nuclear scientist appears before Senate committee. Time Code Start: 42:40. Keywords: Science, authories, officials, Senators, hearings, testimony, testify, atomic energy, fission, fusion, nuclear power plants, issues, nuclear waste. Network: NBC.

      21. Chancellor/Hager: Mitchell and Stans conspiracy trial. Time Code Start: 44:47. 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.

      22. Chancellor/Brinkley: Commentary on campaign funding and Government funding of campaigns to to discourage future Watergates. Time Code Start: 46:38. Keywords: Presidential elections, campaigns, campaigning, candidates, costs, finances, funding, credit, loans, cash, currency, funding, financial aid. Network: NBC.

      23. Cronkite/Rather: Impeachment inquiry. Time Code Start: 48:30. Keywords: Presidents, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, impeachment. Network: CBS.

      24. Cronkite/Morton: House Judiciary Committee may subpoena President Nixon with Representative Rodino and Waldie. Time Code Start: 50:10. Keywords: Presidents, reactions, bugging, bugs, wiretapping, wire taps, surveillance, spying, recordings, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, scandals, impeachment, resignations. Network: CBS.

      25. Cronkite/Pierpoint/Graham: Interview with President Nixon's attorney St. Clair. Time Code Start: 52:13. Keywords: Presidents,. Network: CBS.

      26. Cronkite/Schakne: Mitchell and Stans conspiracy trial. Time Code Start: 55:18. Keywords: cabinet, advisors, trials, obstruction of justice, perjury, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals. Network: CBS.

      27. Cronkite: Russia reportedly putting pressure on Arabs to continue the oil embargo. Time Code Start: 57:00. Keywords: Arabian, Arabs, Middle East, Mideast, USSR, Soviet Union, energy, petroleum, drilling, oil supply, oil supplies, embargos. Network: CBS.

      28. Cronkite/Sevareid: Commentary on British Prime Ministers Wilson's new government. Time Code Start: 57:20. Keywords: England, United Kingdom, Prime Ministers, leaders, politics, reforms. Network: CBS.

Context (External Sources)