March 20, 1974

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 Hyatt Regency Hotel, Houston, Texas

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.

• Remarks Following a Tour of the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas.
• Statement on the Death of Chet Huntley.

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 Wednesday, March 20, 1974

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

• House of Representatives: March 20, 1974
• Senate: March 20, 1974
• Extensions of Remarks: March 20, 1974

Argued

• Dorszynski v. United States
• Howard Johnson Company, Inc. v. Detroit Local Joint Executive Board, Hotel & Restaurant Employees & Bartenders International Union, AFL-CIO
• Michigan v. Tucker
• William E. Arnold Company v. Carpenters District Council of Jacksonville and Vicinity

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.

• News Summaries, Unmarked News Summaries, Box 67, News Summaries - March 1974 [13 of 20] [Note: Due to the way News Summary products were compiled, you should also consult nearby days for potentially relevant materials.]
  • News Summary, (Tues. nets, wires. News Conf coverage at end. Digest Separate.), March 20, 1974
  • Review of Wed AM Papers, March 20, 1974

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.

• President's Speech File
  • Box 91, Wednesday, March 20, 1974, Supporters Breakfast/LBJ Space Center Tour

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 20, 1974
• Date search for March 20, 1974

All National Archives Units

• Text search for March 20, 1974
• Date search for March 20, 1974

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 20 March 1974

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

• 125. Memorandum From Charles Cooper of the National Security Council Staff to Secretary of State Kissinger, Washington, March 20, 1974

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H–Files), Box H–239, NSDM 210, Policy Papers. Confidential. Sent for action. Smyser and Kennedy concurred. Kissinger asked Cooper to prepare this memorandum during a March 19 meeting of the NSC Deputies. “It is impossible to imagine,” Kissinger remarked during that session, “that we invest ten years and all of the lives and resources involved to let it all go down the drain for a $100 million.” Kissinger concluded: “I will do whatever is required. Lay out a game plan for me and get it to me quickly.” (Ibid., Kissinger Office Files, Box 19, McFarlane Chronological File, January–March 1974, 2) Kissinger discussed Cooper’s memorandum during his March 22 staff meeting. (Ibid., RG 59, Transcripts of Secretary of State Kissinger’s Staff Meetings, 1973–1977, Entry 5177, Box 3, Secretary’s Staff Meetings)

Vol. XVIII, China, 1973-1976

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

• 75. Memorandum of Conversation, Washington, March 20, 1974, 4:05-4:25 p.m.

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Kissinger Office Files, Box 96, Country Files, Far East, China Exchanges, January 1, 1973–March 31, 1974. Top Secret; Nodis. This meeting was held in the Secretary’s office.

Vol. XXX, Greece; Cyprus; Turkey, 1973-1976

Greece

• 12. Minutes of Secretary of State Kissinger’s Regional Staff Meeting, Washington, March 20, 1974, 3:18-3:54 p.m.

  Source: National Archives, RG 59, Transcripts of Secretary of State Henry Kissinger’s Staff Meeting, 1973–77, Entry 5177, Box 3, Secretary’s Analytical Staff Meeting. Secret. The following people attended the meeting: Kissinger, Rush, Sisco, Donaldson, Sonnenfeldt, McCloskey, Holton, Eagleburger, Lord, Thornton, Maw, Weiss, Tasca, Davies, Churchill, Hyland, Hartman, Springsteen, and Vest.

Vol. XXXV, National Security Policy, 1973-1976

National Security Policy

• 36. Memorandum From the Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Atomic Energy (Cotter) to Secretary of Defense Schlesinger, Washington, March 20, 1974

  Source: Washington National Records Center, OSD Files: FRC 330–78–0010, A–381, 1974. Top Secret; Sensitive. Sent for action. A note, dated March 23, on the memorandum reads: “Sec Def Has Seen.”

Vol. XXXVI, Energy Crisis, 1969-1974

October 6, 1973-March 22, 1974

• 343. Memorandum From Charles A. Cooper of the National Security Council Staff to Secretary of State Kissinger, Washington, March 20, 1974

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 251, Agency Files, National Energy Office, Vol. III, Aug 73. Confidential. Sent for information. On the first page, Kissinger wrote: “I think we should make major effort to organize consumers. Producer meeting is too uncertain.”

Vol. XXXIX, European Security

U.S.-Soviet Bilaterals, September 1973-May 1974

• 191. Memorandum of Conversation, Washington, March 20, 1974, 11:30 a.m.

  Source: National Archives, RG 59, Records of the Office of the Counselor, Entry 5339, Box 8, Soviet Union, Secretary’s Trip, March. Secret; Nodis; Eyes Only. The conversation took place in the Secretary’s office.

Vol. E-8, Documents on South Asia, 1973-1976

Afghanistan

• 11. Telegram 1717 From the Embassy in Afghanistan to the Department of State, Kabul, March 20, 1974, 1115Z

  Ambassador Elliot reported on a March 20 conversation with Mohammad Naim, who embarked on a tour d’horizon regarding Afghan-American relations.
  
  Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files. Confidential.

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

• 34. Memorandum of Conversation, Washington, March 20, 1974, 11:30 a.m.

  Summary: In preparation for his trip to Moscow, Kissinger, Department of State officers, and members of the National Security Council Staff discussed issues relating to a comprehensive nuclear test ban.
  
  Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P860117–0408. Secret; Nodis; Eyes Only. Drafted by Blackwill. The conversation took place in the Secretary’s office. All brackets are in the original except those indicating text omitted by the editors and “[Secretary:]”, added for clarity.

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.

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-E2470 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-E2470-, President Nixon in Houston departing from airport. 3/20/1974, Houston, Texas
• Frame(s): WHPO-E2470-01-16, President Nixon at the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center and NASA Space Museum and Orientation Center in Houston. 3/20/1974, Houston, Texas Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center and NASA Space Museum. President Nixon, James C. Fletcher, Administrator of NASA. Christopher C. Kraft, Jr., Director of the Johnson Space Center. Glynn Lunney, Technical Director of the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project. Brig. Gen. Thomas P. Stafford, astronaut and member of the Apollo 10 crew. Donald K. ""Deke"" Slayton, astronaut and Director of Flight Crew Operations. Vance Brand, astronaut. Robert Thompson, Manager of the Space Shuttle Office.
• Frame(s): WHPO-E2470-06A, Wide shot Overview of President Nixon at the podium addressing a large crowd at the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center. 3/20/1974, Houston, Texas Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center and NASA Space Museum, exterior. President Nixon, crowd.

Roll WHPO-E2474 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-E2474-04-09, 11-37, President Nixon at Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center and NASA Space Museum and Orientation Center in Houston, Texas. 3/20/1974, Houston, Texas President Nixon, James C. Fletcher, Administrator of NASA. Christopher C. Kraft, Jr., Director of the Johnson Space Center. Glynn Lunney, Technical Director of the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project. Brig. Gen. Thomas P. Stafford, astronaut and member of the Apollo X crew. Donald K. ""Deke"" Slayton, astronaut and Director of Flight Crew Operations. Vance Brand, astronaut. Robert Thompson, Manager of the Space Shuttle Office.
• Frame(s): WHPO-E2474-10, President Nixon at Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas (or possibly the NASA Space Museum and Orientation Center), looking at a model of the space Shuttle. 3/20/1974, Houston, Texas President Nixon, James C. Fletcher, Administrator of NASA. Christopher C. Kraft, Jr., Director of the Johnson Space Center. Glynn Lunney, Technical Director of the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project. Brig. Gen. Thomas P. Stafford, astronaut and member of the Apollo X crew. Donald K. "Deke" Slayton, astronaut and Director of Flight Crew Operations. Vance Brand, astronaut. Robert Thompson, Manager of the Space Shuttle Office.

Roll WHPO-E2475 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-E2475-01A-08A, Houston, Texas protest demonstration. 3/20/1974, Houston, Texas crowd of protestors and demonstrators.

Roll WHPO-E2476 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-E2476-01A-10A, President Nixon arriving in Houston, Texas. 3/20/1974, Houston, Texas
• Frame(s): WHPO-E2476-11A-30A, Question and Answer session at the National Association of Broadcasters Convention. (NAB). 3/20/1974, Houston, Texas

Roll WHPO-E2481 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-E2481-02, President Nixon having coffee at the Keystone Drug Store in Houston during a surprise visit to speak with serving staff there. 3/20/1974, Houston, Texas Keystone Drug Store. President Nixon, serving staff, unidentified persons.
• Frame(s): WHPO-E2481-05-34, President Nixon having coffee at the Keystone Drug Store in Houston during a surprise visit to speak with serving staff there. 3/20/1974, Houston, Texas Keystone Drug Store.

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-158
  Morning walk & coffee at the Keystone Drugstore-1010 Louisiana St., Houston, TX. (3/20/1974)
  
  Runtime: 3:04
  
  Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.
• WHCA-SR-K-159
  Crowd and motorcade-NASA Space Center, Houston, TX. (3/20/1974)
  
  Keywords: NASA, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, space program, astronauts
  
  Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.

P - Formal Presidential Remarks

• WHCA-SR-P-740316
  Remarks by President Nixon at breakfast with supporters in the Hyatt Hotel in Houston. (3/20/1974)
  
  Runtime: 53:02:00
  
  Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.
• WHCA-SR-P-740317
  Remarks by President Nixon at NASA awards ceremony in Crystal City, Texas. (3/20/1974)
  
  Runtime: 20:00
  
  Keywords: NASA, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, space program, astronauts
  
  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-522
  Staff prayer and Bible study, with Eleanor Page. (3/20/1974, Family Theater)
  
  Runtime: 42:00:00
  
  Keywords: Church service, worship service, prayer service, religion
  
  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-6842
  President Nixon's press conference at the Executive's Club in Chicago. FTN: Rep. Butler; "MTP": Charles Black; "I&A": Senator Byrd.
  CBS, NBC, ABC
  Runtime:
• WHCA-6843
  President Nixon's Houston press conference and network commentary.
  CBS
  Runtime: 01:30:29
• WHCA-6844
  ABC News Close-up: "Oil--The Policy Crisis".
  ALL NETWORKS
  Runtime: 01:01:16
• WHCA-6846
  Weekly News Summary, Tape I.
  ALL NETWORKS
  
  35. Smith/Donaldson: Impeachment with Sandman; Brooks. Time Code Start: 75:25. Keywords: Presidents, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, impeachment. Network: ABC.
  
  36. Smith: Mitchell-Stans conspiracy trial. Time Code Start: 78:25. Keywords: cabinet, advisors, trials, obstruction of justice, perjury, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals. Network: ABC.
  
  37. Smith/Clark: President Nixon and the energy crisis with film. Time Code Start: 79:02. Keywords: petroleum, oil, gasoline, fuel, shortages, rationing, natural resources. Network: ABC.
  
  38. Smith/Jarriel: President Nixon in Houston, Texas. Time Code Start: 81:00. Keywords: Presidents, travel, trips, Nixon trips, domestic. Network: ABC.
  
  39. Smith: Commentary on Mr. Nixon (President Nixon). Time Code Start: 86:02. Keywords: Presidents,. Network: ABC.
  
  40. Chancellor/Utley: Assassination attempt on Princess Anne and husband Captain Mark Phillips. Time Code Start: 87:43. Keywords: United Kingdom, British, England, royalty, families, assassinations, kidnapping, attempts. Network: NBC.
  
  41. Chancellor/Scherer: Impeachment inquiry with attorney John Doar and Representative Waldie. Time Code Start: 89:30. Keywords: Presidents, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, impeachment. Network: NBC.
• WHCA-6847
  Weekly News Summary, Tape II.
  ALL NETWORKS
  Runtime: 01:00:35
  
  1. Chancellor/Lewis: President Nixon in Houston, Texas with film. Time Code Start: 00:00. Keywords: Presidents, travel, trips, Nixon trips, domestic. Network: NBC.
  
  2. Chancellor/Hager: Mitchell-Stans conspiracy trial. Time Code Start: 02:27. 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.
  
  3. Chancellor/Brinkley: Commentary on Chet Huntley's death. Time Code Start: 04:00. Keywords: media, news, television, TV, death, memorials. Network: NBC.
  
  4. Cronkite/Morton: Impeachment inquiry. Time Code Start: 13:18. Keywords: Presidents, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, impeachment. Network: CBS.
  
  5. Cronkite/Schakne: Mitchell-Stans conspiracy trial. Time Code Start: 16:42. 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.
  
  6. Cronkite: Charles Bebe Rebozo testimony. Time Code Start: 18:05. Keywords: Presidents, friends, banks, executives, staff, women, Watergate, hearings, burglary, impeachment, resignations, investigations, courts, trials. Network: CBS.
  
  7. Cronkite/Schieffer: The Draft. Time Code Start: 18:19. Keywords: military, conscription, selective service, lottery, laws, Vietnam War, ending, extensions, expirations, draft reform, draft evasion. Network: CBS.
  
  8. Cronkite/Hall: Volunteer Army. Time Code Start: 20:00. Keywords: Armed Forces, military, conscription, enlistment, recruitment, volunteers, laws, Vietnam War, draft reform, draft evasion. Network: CBS.
  
  9. Cronkite/Sevareid: Commentary on Presidential retirement or impeachment. Time Code Start: 22:51. Keywords: Presidents, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, impeachment. Network: CBS.
  
  10. Cronkite: President Nixon's trip to Houston, Texas. Time Code Start: 25:30. Keywords: Presidents, travel, trips, Nixon trips, domestic. Network: CBS.

• New York Times of March 20, 1974

• AP Images photos from March 20, 1974
• Getty Images photos from March 20, 1974

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 1974 Broadcast Index

Wikipedia is a free encyclopedia that anyone can edit.

• March 20, 1974