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March 21, 1974

Introduction

This almanac page for Thursday, March 21, 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: Wednesday, March 20, 1974

Next Date: Friday, March 22, 1974

Schedule and Public Documents

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.

  • 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. XV, Soviet Union, June 1972-August 1974

    Gromyko's Trip to Washington and Kissinger's Pre-Summit Trip to Moscow, February-March 1974

    • 163. Letter From President Nixon to Soviet General Secretary Brezhnev, Washington, March 21, 1974

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Kissinger Office Files, Box 69, Dobrynin/Kissinger, Vol. 22, January–April 1974. No classification marking. Kissinger forwarded the letter to Nixon under a covering March 18 memorandum with the recommendation that he sign it.

    Vol. XXII, Panama, 1973-1976

    Panama, 1973-1976

    • 35. Memorandum of Conversation, Washington, March 21, 1974, 2 p.m.

      Source: Ford Library, Vice Presidential Papers, Files 1973–1974, Box 65, Vice Presidential Meetings with Foreign and Diplomatic Officials. No classification marking. Drafted by Marsh. The meeting took place in the Old Executive Office Building.

    Vol. XXVII, Iran; Iraq, 1973-1976

    Iraq, January 1973-December 1974

    Vol. XXXIII, SALT II, 1972-1980

    SALT II, 1972-1980

    • 58. Minutes of a Meeting of the National Security Council, Washington, March 21, 1974, 4-5:30 p.m.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H–Files), Box H–110, NSC Meeting Minutes, Originals, 1971 thru 6–20–74 [3 of 5]. Top Secret; Sensitive; Nodis.

    Vol. E-11, Part 2, Documents on South America, 1973-1976

    Chile

    • 161. Memorandum 1030/74 Prepared in the Central Intelligence Agency, Washington, March 21, 1974

      Summary: The Central Intelligence Agency provided an analysis of the situation in Chile six months after the coup.

      Source: Central Intelligence Agency, Office of Support Services (DI), Job 79T00863A: Intel Pub Files, Box 32, Folder 3: Aspects of the Situation in Chile. Secret; [handling restriction not declassified]. The memorandum was prepared in response to a March 1 request by William Morrell in preparation for Treasury Secretary Shultz’s April 1–4 visit to Santiago as the head of the U.S. delegation to an IDB meeting. (Ibid., National Intelligence Council Files, Job 80B01495R: Policy Files, Box 5, Folder 14: NIO, Latin America, 1974) In telegram 1188 from Santiago, March 11, the Embassy reported that the Chilean Government had issued its most detailed policy statements to date as a prelude to a ceremony marking the junta’s six months in power. The statements pledged to enhance Chile’s social and economic development while denouncing communist groups and the Radical and PDC parties. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, [no film number])

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

    • 35. Memorandum From Jan Lodal of the National Security Council Staff and the Counselor of the Department of State (Sonnefeldt) to Secretary of State Kissinger, Washington, March 21, 1974

      Summary: Lodal and Sonnenfeldt examined the implications of a threshold test ban and addressed Kissinger’s questions about Trident missiles. Lodal and Sonnenfeldt also outlined various types of threshold test bans, summarized key issues, and recommended that Kissinger raise the prospect of a test ban with Soviet officials if he felt it important that the “U.S. take some initiative on the test ban issue.”

      Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, NSC Program Analysis Staff Files, Convenience Files, Box 46, Test Ban Messages, 1974 (1). Secret; Urgent; Eyes Only; Completely Outside the System. Sent for information. All brackets are in the original except those indicating text that remains classified. Tab A is Document 32. For the March 20 meeting, see Document 34.

    • 36. Telegram 57208 From the Department of State to the Embassies in the Soviet Union and Austria, Washington, March 21, 1974

      Summary: The Department reported that Hartman had delivered an aide-mémoire regarding the venting of radioactive material outside of Soviet borders to Soviet Minister-Counselor Vorontsov on March 21. Hartman, also underscored U.S. support for the Limited Test Ban Treaty.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D740061–0426. Confidential. Drafted by George Humphrey (EUR/SOV); cleared by Matlock (EUR/SOV) and Armitage; approved by Hartman. Repeated to Moscow and Vienna, and for information to USUN, the Mission in Geneva, and the Mission to the IAEA at Vienna.

  • 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-E2478 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2478-02-08, President Nixon seated at his Oval Office desk during a meeting with Secretary of HEW Caspar Weinberger, James Cavanaugh, Associate Director of the Domestic Council and Kenneth Cole, Jr., Executive Director of the Domestic Council. 3/21/1974, Washington, D. C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Caspar Weinberger, James H. Cavanaugh, Associate Director of the Domestic Council and Kenneth R. Cole, Jr., Executive Director of the Domestic Council.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2478-02A, President Nixon seated at his Oval Office desk during a meeting with Secretary of HEW Caspar Weinberger and Kenneth Cole, Jr., Executive Director of the Domestic Council. 3/21/1974, Washington, D. C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Caspar Weinberger, Kenneth R. Cole.

    Roll WHPO-E2479 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2479-01A-24A, President Nixon walking down the steps of Executive Office Building in the rain. 3/21/1974, Washington, D.C. Executive Office Building (EOB),. President Nixon, unidentified persons.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2479-18A, President Nixon walking down the steps of Executive Office Building in the rain with two unidentified men, while one holds an umbrella over his head. 3/21/1974, Washington, D.C. Executive Office Building (EOB),. President Nixon, unidentified persons.

    Roll WHPO-E2480 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2480-03-09, President Nixon and Gen. Alexander Haig on Executive Office Building steps. 3/21/1974, Washington, D.C. Executive Office Building (EOB),.

  • 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-138
      Stand Up and Cheer For Richard Nixon presented by Judd Collins of WSM in Nashville, Tennessee. (3/21/1974)

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

    K - Informal Presidential Remarks

    • WHCA-SR-K-160
      Photo opportunity with Caspar Weinberger-Oval Office. (3/21/1974)

      Runtime: 1:30

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

    P - Formal Presidential Remarks

    • WHCA-SR-P-740318
      Remarks by President Nixon in taped segment for CBS's 60 Minutes. (3/21/1974)

      Runtime: 8:20

      Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.
    • WHCA-SR-P-740319
      Remarks by President Nixon in taped segment for CBS's 60 Minutes with Secretary Earl Butz. (3/21/1974)

      Runtime: 10:05

      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-523
      Briefing by Secretary of State Henry A. Kissinger. (3/21/1974, State Department)

      Runtime: 25:00:00

      Keywords: Briefings, public briefings, statements to the press (see also Press conferences, news conferences, interviews, media)

      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.
    • WHCA-SR-S-524
      Press briefing by Gerald Warren. (3/21/1974, White House Press Lobby)

      Runtime: 34:00:00

      Keywords: Press conferences, news conferences, interviews, media

      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.
    • WHCA-SR-S-525
      White House staff briefing. (3/21/1974, Family Theater)

      Runtime: 3:05:00

      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-6847
      Weekly News Summary, Tape II.
      ALL NETWORKS
      Runtime: 01:00:35

      11. Smith/Schoumacher: Grand Jury report. Time Code Start: 26:10. Keywords: Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals, impeachment, resignations. Network: ABC.

      12. Smith/Donaldson: Impeachment inquiry with Mezvinsky, Railsback, and Laha. Time Code Start: 28:22. Keywords: Presidents, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, impeachment. Network: ABC.

      13. Smith/Snell: Cost of living. Time Code Start: 30:23. Keywords: economy, economics, budgets, finances, recession, inflation, money, wages, costs, unemployment, prices, reports. Network: ABC.

      14. Smith/Dobbs: General Motors no shutdown. Time Code Start: 33:40. Keywords: labor, strikes, jobs, unemployment, employees, cars, automotive industry, auto manufacturers. Network: ABC.

      15. Smith: Commentary on kidnapping. Time Code Start: 35:46. Keywords: Symbionese Liberation Army, SLA, militants, organizations, plots, conspiracy, conspiracies, kidnappings, terrorism, victims, crime, crimes, offences, infractions, criminals, criminality, law breaking, law and order. Network: ABC.

      16. Chancellor/Briggs: Cost of living continues to rise. Time Code Start: 37:32. Keywords: economy, economics, budgets, finances, recession, inflation, money, wages, costs, unemployment, prices, reports. Network: NBC.

      17. Chancellor/Brokaw: More tapes subpoenaed. Time Code Start: 39:37. Keywords: bugging, bugs, wiretapping, wire taps, surveillance, spying, recordings, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, scandals. Network: NBC.

      18. Chancellor/Scherer: Impeachment inquiry. Time Code Start: 40:58. Keywords: Presidents, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, impeachment. Network: NBC.

      19. Chancellor/Stern: Grand Jury report on whether special report be turned over to the White House. Time Code Start: 43:40. Keywords: Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals, impeachment, resignations. Network: NBC.

      20. Chancellor: $17 million dollars spent on President Nixon's private homes. Time Code Start: 46:02. Keywords: Presidents, residences, real estate, rennovations, décor, funding, money, finances, spending. Network: NBC.

      21. Chancellor/Montgomey: Report on Princess Anne and security of England. Time Code Start: 46:36. Keywords: British, royals, leaders, families, women, safety, security, police. Network: NBC.

      22. Chancellor: Grand Jury report. Time Code Start: 49:36. Keywords: Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals, impeachment, resignations. Network: NBC.

      23. Chancellor: Secretary of State Kissinger with film April 23, 1973 at United Nations (U.N.). Time Code Start: 50:16. Keywords: cabinet, advisors, organization of nations, intergovernmental alliance. Network: NBC.

      24. Chancellor: Film of President Nixon on March 19, 1974. Time Code Start: 51:30. Keywords: Presidents,. Network: NBC.

      25. Chancellor/Dancy: Report from Europe on oil embargo. Time Code Start: 52:50. Keywords: Arabian, Arabs, Middle East, Mideast, energy, petroleum, drilling, oil supply, oil supplies, imports, embargoes. Network: NBC.

      26. Chancellor: Secretary of State Kissinger on film. Time Code Start: 54:05. Keywords: cabinet, advisors. Network: NBC.

      27. Cronkite/Graham: Grand Jury report can go to Capitol Hill. Time Code Start: 55:57. Keywords: Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals, impeachment, resignations. Network: CBS.

      28. Cronkite/Pierpoint: Subpoena for more tapes with President Nixon (film). Time Code Start: 57:10. Keywords: bugging, bugs, wiretapping, wire taps, surveillance, spying, recordings, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, scandals. Network: CBS.

      29. Cronkite: American Bar Association (ABA) leader critical of President Nixon. Time Code Start: 58:50. Keywords: law officials, lawyers, attorneys, organizations, regulations, justices, nominations, criticisms, speeches, interviews. Network: CBS.

      30. Cronkite: Polls on President Nixon's popularity and government money spent on President Nixon's homes. Time Code Start: 59:38. Keywords: public opinions, polls, approval ratings, Gallup poll, Harris poll, Presidents, housing, construction, costs, funds, finances. Network: CBS.
    • WHCA-6848
      Weekly News Summary, Tape III.
      ALL NETWORKS

      1. Cronkite/Simon: Report on Princess Anne. Time Code Start: 00:00. Keywords: royalty, Princesses, England, British, families, women. Network: CBS.

      2. Cronkite/Kalb: Secretary of State Kissinger news conference with film. Time Code Start: 02:10. Keywords: cabinet, advisors, media, press conferences, news conferences, interviews. Network: CBS.

      3. Cronkite/Benton: Cost of living. Time Code Start: 04:22. Keywords: economy, economics, budgets, finances, recession, inflation, money, wages, costs, unemployment, prices, reports. Network: CBS.

      4. Cronkite/Sevareid: Watergate; what comes next. Time Code Start: 05:52. Keywords: Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals, impeachment, resignations. Network: CBS.

Context (External Sources)