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March 16, 1969

Introduction

This almanac page for Sunday, March 16, 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: Saturday, March 15, 1969

Next Date: Monday, March 17, 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 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

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 - March 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. In addition to the individual document listed below, you should also consult the full folder for the month.]
      • News Summary, 3/16/69

  • 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)
      Sunday, March 16.

      Another day off, more or less. Took Jo to White House Church service, then some time in West Wing with the Williamsburg people regarding decorating. Then off for a little more house-hunting before the Ladies replay of the Gridiron. Then from there to White House for surprise birthday party for Pat Nixon.

      Beautiful party - she was really surprised. Made grand entrance with family to what she thought was stag party. Had all the close friends - receiving line, dinner at round tables in State dining room. Highlight was Singing Strings during dessert, then toasts. Elmer Bobst paid wonderful tribute to President - as did Bill Rogers. Rose toasted Pat Nixon. As President started first toast after cake came in, Pat Nixon said, "Wait until I blow out the candles." Tricia and Julie agreed - and it worked out very well!
    • 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.

    • No President's Daily Brief delivered on this date

  • 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. VI, Vietnam, January 1969-July 1970

    Vietnam, January 1969-July 1970

  • 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-0525 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-0525-, President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Dr. Lewis Evans, Jr., and Colleen Townesend Evans. Nixon speaking with attendees during the coffee hour. 3/16/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, East Room. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Dr. Lewis Evans, Jr., Colleen Townesend Evans, unidentified persons.

    Roll WHPO-0526 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-0526-, President Nixon with John Ehrlichman and Charles Bebe Rebozo after worship service. 3/16/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, State Dining Room. President Nixon, John Ehrlichman, Charles Bebe Rebozo, unidentified persons.

    Roll WHPO-0527 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-0527-, Surprise birthday party for Pat Nixon. 3/16/1969, Washington, D.C. White House. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Tricia Nixon, David Eisenhower, Julie Nixon Eisenhower, guests.

    Roll WHPO-0528 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-0528-, Surprise birthday party for Pat Nixon. 3/16/1969, Washington, D.C. White House. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Tricia Nixon, David Eisenhower,Julie Nixon Eisenhower, Mamie Eisenhower, guests.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-0528-11, Surprise birthday party for Pat Nixon. Pat Nixon's surprise birthday party receiving line. Richard Nixon speaking to Secretary of State William Rogers, Adele Rogers, and Rose Mary Woods. Pat Nixon greets John Eisenhower. 3/16/1969, Washington, D.C. East Room, White House. Adele Rogers, William Rogers, Nixon, Pat Nixon, John Eisenhower, Rose Mary Woods.

  • 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.

    I - Various Administration Events

    • WHCA-SR-I-005
      Sunday worship service, with Reverend Louis Evans Jr. [see P-690316]. (3/16/1969, East Room, White House)

      Runtime: 32:00:00

      Keywords: Church service, worship service, prayer service, religion

      Production credits: Audio feed supplied by WHCA; Recorded by RRN (initials of WHCA engineer)

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

    P - Formal Presidential Remarks

    • WHCA-SR-P-690316
      Remarks by President Nixon at White House worship with Dr. Louis Evans, Jr. [see I-5]. (3/16/1969)

      Runtime: 1:06

      Keywords: Church service, worship service, prayer service, religion

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

Context (External Sources)