March 16, 1972

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 Camp David, Maryland

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.

• St. Patrick's Day Message
• Special Message to the Congress on Science and Technology.
• Address to the Nation on Equal Educational Opportunities and School Busing.

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, March 16, 1972

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

• House of Representatives: March 16, 1972
• Extensions of Remarks: March 16, 1972

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)
• Original audio recording (MP3)

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 March 16, 1972
• Date search for March 16, 1972

All National Archives Units

• Text search for March 16, 1972
• Date search for March 16, 1972

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 16 March 1972

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 NSC System

• 174. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant (Haldeman) to Secretary of State Rogers, Washington, March 16, 1972

  Source: National Archives, RG 59, Executive Secretariat, Office Files of William P. Rogers: Lot 73 D 443, Box 22, WPR—White House Correspondence. Secret. Drafted by Kissinger.

The Intelligence Community and the White House

• 267. Aide-Mémoire From the Director, National Security Agency (Gayler) to Director of Central Intelligence Helms, Washington, March 16, 1972

  Source: Central Intelligence Agency, Executive Registry Files, Job 80–B01086A, Box 12, Folder 386, NSA/Central Security Service. Secret; Handle Via Comint Channels Only.

Vol. XIV, Soviet Union, October 1971-May 1972

Preparing for Moscow and Nixon's Trip to China, January 1-March 29, 1972

• 61. Transcript of Telephone Conversation Between the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) and Secretary of State Rogers, Washington, March 16, 1972, 9:40 a.m.

  Source: Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Kissinger Papers, Box 371, Telephone Conversations, Chronological File. No classification marking.

Vol. XXIV, Middle East Region and Arabian Peninsula, 1969-1972; Jordan, September 1970

Persian Gulf States

• 114. Telegram From the Embassy in Kuwait to the Department of State, Kuwait, March 16, 1972, 0600Z

  Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, DEF 12–5 KUW. Secret.

Vol. XL, Germany and Berlin, 1969-1972

Germany and Berlin, 1969-1972

• 343. Information Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs (Hillenbrand) to Secretary of State Rogers, Washington, March 16, 1972

  Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL GER W–USSR. Confidential; Exdis. Drafted by Sutterlin and Perry.

Vol. XLI, Western Europe; NATO, 1969-1972

Ireland

• 172. Telegram From the Embassy in Ireland to the Department of State, Dublin, March 16, 1972, 1745Z

  Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 23–9 UK. Secret; Immediate; Exdis. Repeated to London and Belfast.

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

Cuba

• 257. Study Prepared in the Department of State, Washington, March 16, 1972., Washington, March 16, 1972

  The Department of State prepared a study on the legal position of the United States in the event that the U.S. Armed Forces should take action to protect third-country ships from Cuban attack.
  
  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 781, Country Files, Latin America, Cuba, Vol. IV, 1972. Top Secret. Sent under a covering March 16 memorandum from Eliot to Kissinger. Attached at Tab A but not published is Telegram 8394, February 10, from the JCS to RUCBSAA/CINCLANT, describing the Special Rules of Engagement. Tab B, the contingency plan approved by President Nixon, is published as Document 252.

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.

Visit the White House Tapes finding aid to learn about the taping system's operation and archival processing.

Old Executive Office Building

• 323-25; 9:14 p.m. - 9:17 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Haldeman, H. R. ("Bob")
• 323-26; Unknown between 9:17 p.m. & 9:40 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President)
• 323-27; Unknown between 9:17 p.m. & 9:40 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President)
• 323-28; Unknown between 9:17 p.m. & 9:40 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Sanchez, Manolo

Oval Office

• 687-1; Unknown between 9:42 p.m. & 10:20 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Goode, Mark I.; [Unknown person(s)]

White House Telephone

• 21-87; Unknown between 8:47 p.m. & 9:14 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); White House operator
• 21-88; 9:14 p.m. - 9:17 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Haldeman, H. R. ("Bob")
• 21-89; Unknown between 9:17 p.m. & 10:27 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); White House operator
• 21-90; 10:27 p.m. - 10:29 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Ziegler, Ronald L.
• 21-91; Unknown between 10:29 p.m. & 10:31 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); White House operator
• 21-92; 10:31 p.m. - 10:38 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Haldeman, H. R. ("Bob")
• 21-93; 10:40 p.m. - 10:49 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Eisenhower, Julie Nixon; Eisenhower, [Dwight] David, II
• 21-94; 10:57 p.m. - 11:07 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Haldeman, H. R. ("Bob")
• 21-95; Unknown between 11:07 p.m. & 11:12 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); White House operator
• 21-96; 11:12 p.m. - 11:12 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); White House operator
• 21-97; 11:12 p.m. - 11:12 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); White House operator
• 21-98; 11:13 p.m. - 11:18 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Ehrlichman, John D.
• 21-99; Unknown between 11:18 p.m. & 11:19 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); White House operator
• 21-100; 11:19 p.m. - 11:26 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Finch, Robert H.

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-8727 Photographer: Grove, Andrew | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-8727-, Lutheran and Catholic leaders listening to a talk concerning Southeast Asia. 3/16/1972, Washington, D.C. White House Theater. unidentified speaker, Lutheran and Catholic leaders.

Roll WHPO-8728 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-8728-, Pat Nixon at a surprise birthday party for her given by the Curator's Office. 3/16/1972, Washington, D.C. unidentified room, White House. Pat Nixon, Curator's Office staff, Clement E. Conger, White House Chefs, White House butlers Eugene Allen and others, unidentified White House staff.

Roll WHPO-8729 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-8729-, President Nixon seated at his desk for a photo shoot after a televised address about educational opportunity and busing. 3/16/1972, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, photographers.
• Frame(s): WHPO-8729-03A, President Nixon seated at his desk for a photo shoot after a televised address about educational opportunity and busing. 3/16/1972, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office.

Roll WHPO-8730 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-8730-04A-10A, Vice President Agnew standing with Gold Medal winner Ann Henning and an unidentified young woman. 3/16/1972, Washington, D.C. Executive Office Building, Vice Presidential Office. Spiro Agnew, Ann Henning, unidentified young women.
• Frame(s): WHPO-8730-4A-10A, Unidentified young woman at a desk. 3/16/1972, Washington, D.C. unknown room. unidentified young women.

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-536
  Henry Cashen briefing of the Lutheran Resource Commission. (3/16/1972, Family Theater, White House)
  
  Runtime: [Nonelisted]
  
  Keywords: Briefings, private briefings
  
  Production credits: Audio feed supplied by WHCA; Recorded by DAS (initials of WHCA engineer)
  
  Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.
• WHCA-SR-H-537
  Press briefing by Ronald Ziegler regarding Nixon's forthcoming trip to the Soviet Union. (3/16/1972, Press Center, White House)
  
  Runtime: 30:00:00
  
  Keywords: Press conferences, news conferences, interviews, media, press secretary
  
  Production credits: Audio feed supplied by WHCA; Recorded by DAS (initials of WHCA engineer)
  
  Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.
• WHCA-SR-H-538
  Press briefing by Edward David and Alan McAdams. (3/16/1972, Press Center, White House)
  
  Runtime: 27:00:00
  
  Keywords: Press conferences, news conferences, interviews, media
  
  Production credits: Audio feed supplied by WHCA; Recorded by GLG (initials of WHCA engineer)
  
  Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.

P - Formal Presidential Remarks

• WHCA-SR-P-720303
  Remarks by President Nixon during a televised address on busing and the Equal Educational Opportunities Act. (3/16/1972, Oval Office, White House)
  
  Runtime: 0:14:52
  
  Keywords: busing, bills, laws, legislation, segregation, desegregation, racism, African Americans, schools, students, transportation
  
  Production credits: Audio feed (probably pool feed) supplied by ABC; No WHCA engineer initials listed
  
  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-5204
  President Nixon Address to the Nation on Equal Educational Opportunities and School Busing. busing U.S. Representative Paul McCloskey (R-CA), "Manchester (NH) Union Leader" publisher William Loeb, U.S. Senator Hubert H. Humphrey (D-MN), New York City Mayor John Lindsay, and Governor Walter Peterson.
  NBC
  Runtime: 00:25:53
• WHCA-5205
  "Thirty Minutes".
  NPACT
  Runtime: 00:29:53
• WHCA-5208
  Weekly News Summary, Tape III.
  ALL NETWORKS
  Runtime: 01:14:51
  
  16. Chancellor/Levine: The Pay Board limits the dockworkers pay raise. Time Code Start: 49:38. Keywords: harbors, Stevedores, dock workers, longshoremen, strikes, economy, money, wages, wage freezes, increases. Network: NBC.
  
  17. Chancellor/Duke: International Telephone & Telegraph (ITT Corporation); some files & papers destroyed. Time Code Start: 51:50. Keywords: International Telephone & Telegraph, communications, world, corporations, conglomerates, campaign funding, investigations. Network: NBC.
  
  18. Chancellor/Dancy: The Muskie campaign. Time Code Start: 55:25. Keywords: Presidential elections, campaigns, campaigning, candidates. Network: NBC.
  
  19. Chancellor: Busing. Time Code Start: 58:19. Keywords: bills, laws, legislation, desegregation, racism, racial discrimination, African Americans, schools, students, transportation, reports. Network: NBC.
  
  20. Chancellor/Trotta: Public housing in St. Louis, Missouri. Time Code Start: 58:54. Keywords: residences, homes. Network: NBC.
  
  21. Cronkite/Rather: Busing discussed by Roy Wilkins of NAACP; President Nixon planning a trip to Russia on 22 May. Time Code Start: 61:38. Keywords: organizations, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, leaders, officials, bills, legislation, segretation, schools, students, transportation, reports, Presidents, travel, trips, Nixon trips, international, Soviet Union, USSR. Network: CBS.
  
  22. Cronkite/Threlkeld: Pay Board rejects dockworkers pay raise. Time Code Start: 64:13. Keywords: harbors, Stevedores, dock workers, longshoremen, strikes, economy, money, wages, wage freezes, increases. Network: CBS.
  
  23. Cronkite/Strawser: International Telephone & Telegraph (ITT Corporation). Time Code Start: 66:42. Keywords: International Telephone & Telegraph, communications, world, corporations, conglomerates, campaign funding, investigations. Network: CBS.
  
  24. Savereid: The vagaries of primaries. Time Code Start: 68:08. Keywords: Presidential elections, campaigns, campaigning, candidates, primaries, voting. Network: CBS.

• New York Times of March 16, 1972

• AP Images photos from March 16, 1972
• Getty Images photos from March 16, 1972

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.

• March 1972 Broadcast Index

Wikipedia is a free encyclopedia that anyone can edit.

• March 16, 1972