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March 22, 1974

Introduction

This almanac page for Friday, March 22, 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: Thursday, March 21, 1974

Next Date: Saturday, March 23, 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.

  • 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.

  • 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. XXII, Panama, 1973-1976

    Panama, 1973-1976

    Vol. XXVII, Iran; Iraq, 1973-1976

    Iran, September 1973-November 1974

    Vol. XXXVI, Energy Crisis, 1969-1974

    October 6, 1973-March 22, 1974

    • 344. Minutes of the Secretary of State’s Staff Meeting, Washington, March 22, 1974, 2:55 p.m.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Transcripts of Secretary of State Kissinger’s Staff Meetings, 1973–1977, Box 718, Secretary’s Staff Meetings, 3/74. Secret. According to an attached list, the following people attended the meeting: Kissinger, Rush, Sisco, Donaldson, Brown, Sonnenfeldt, Easum, Kubisch, Ingersoll, Hartman, Davies, Lord, Maw, McCloskey, Springsteen, and Hyland.

    Vol. XXXIX, European Security

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

    • 192. Memorandum of Conversation, Washington, March 22, 1974, 7 p.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-6, Documents on Africa, 1973-1976

    Horn of Africa

    • 105. Telegram 3234 From the Embassy in Ethiopia to the Department of State, Addis Ababa, March 22, 1974, 1504Z

      Chargé d’Affaires Wyman reviewed the relative merits of four options for U.S. military assistance, and recommended that the maximum assistance possible be provided.

      Source: National Archives, RG 84, Addis Ababa Embassy Files: Lot 77 F 121, MAP Level 1974. Secret. Repeated to Mogadiscio, Asmara, and USCINCEUR. Drafted and approved by Wyman; cleared by MAAG, POL, DAO.

    Vol. E-11, Part 1, Documents on Mexico; Central America; and the Caribbean, 1973-1976

    Costa Rica

    • 120. Telegram 1138 From the Embassy in Costa Rica to the Department of State, San José, March 22, 1974, 2359Z

      Summary: Lane reported on a meeting in which Solórzano presented him with a memorandum rejecting U.S. Government concerns regarding a proposed Costa Rican extradition law that would benefit Vesco.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Country Files, Box 779, Latin America, Costa Rica. Confidential; Immediate; Exdis. In telegram 1075 from San José, March 19, Lane reported on a meeting with Figueres in which he outlined U.S. objections to the proposed law. (Ibid., RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P740141–2046) In telegram 1098 from San José, March 21, the Embassy reported that the legislature had approved the extradition bill. (Ibid., D740060–0165) In telegram 58359 to San José, March 22, the Department approved Lane’s suggestion that he meet with Solórzano. (Ibid., P740141–2595, D740062–0242) In telegram 1195 from San José, March 27, the Embassy reported that Figueres had signed the Extradition Bill into law on March 22. (Ibid., D740066–0750). In telegram 55653 to San José, March 20, the Department transmitted questions regarding the proposed bill. (Ibid., D740059–0093)

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

    Chile

    • 162. Action Memorandum From the Director of the Policy Planning Staff (Lord) to Secretary of State Kissinger, Washington, March 22, 1974

      Summary: Lord outlined policy options for Kissinger regarding the sale of U.S. military equipment to Chile.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 777, Country Files, Latin America, Chile, Vol. 8, 1 January 1973–31 March 1974. Secret. Drafted by Einaudi and Simons, and cleared by Bowdler and Stern. Attached but not published is Tab A, a March 14 memorandum from Bowdler and Weiss, through Donaldson, to the Secretary, which outlined options on arms sales to Chile. On April 25, Kissinger approved the first two recommendations and disapproved the third. Next to the first recommendation, he wrote, “But please check with Brent [Scowcroft] and make sure DOD is aboard.” A notation below Kissinger’s note reads, “Taken care of.” Low summarized the memorandum for Scowcroft on April 3. (Ibid.) Kissinger’s speech to the OAS General Assembly is printed in the Department of State Bulletin, May 13, 1974, pp. 509–515.

    Vol. E-15, Part 2, Documents on Western Europe, 1973-1976, Second, Revised Edition

    Federal Republic of Germany, 1973-1976

    • 278. Telegram 57527 From the Department of State to the Embassy in the Federal Republic of Germany, Washington, March 22, 1974, 0159Z

      Summary: The Department reported that Shultz, Casey, and Schmidt had reached agreement in principle on the magnitude and components of a bilateral U.S.–FRG offset agreement.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files, 1974. Confidential; Immediate. Sent immediate for information to the Mission to NATO. Drafted by Lucian Heichler in EUR/CE; cleared in EUR/CE, EUR/RPM, E, Defense, Treasury, S/S, and by Sonnenfeldt; and approved by Hartman. Delegations of American and West German experts met over the subsequent weeks to finalize the details of the agreement, which was signed in Bonn on April 25.

  • 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-E2482 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2482-01A-11A, President Nixon and Henry Kissinger standing in the White House Rose Garden area prior to Kissinger's advance trip to Soviet Union. Purple Hyacinth flowers and pink trees are in full bloom. 3/22/1974, Washington, D. C. White House, Rose Garden. President Nixon, Henry A. Kissinger.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2482-09, President Nixon and Henry Kissinger standing in the White House Rose Garden area prior to Kissinger's advance trip to Soviet Union. Purple Hyacinth flowers and pink trees are in full bloom. 3/22/1974, Washington, D. C. White House, Rose Garden. President Nixon, Henry A. Kissinger.

    Roll WHPO-E2485 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2485-02-27, President Nixon seated at his Oval Office desk during a meeting with Henry Kissinger. 3/22/1974, Washington, D. C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Henry A. Kissinger.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2485-18, President Nixon seated at his Oval Office desk during a meeting with Henry Kissinger. An unidentified photographer can be seen in the background. 3/22/1974, Washington, D. C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Henry A. Kissinger, unidentified photographer.

    Roll WHPO-E2486 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2486-02-22, President Nixon and Henry Kissinger walking in the White House Rose Garden prior to Kissinger's advance trip to the Soviet Union. 3/22/1974, Washington, D. C. White House, Rose Garden. President Nixon, Henry A. Kissinger.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2486-08, President Nixon and Henry Kissinger walking in the White House Rose Garden prior to Kissinger's advance trip to the Soviet Union. 3/22/1974, Washington, D. C. White House, Rose Garden. President Nixon, Henry A. Kissinger.

  • 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.

    P - Formal Presidential Remarks

    • WHCA-SR-P-740320
      Photo opportunity with HAK. (3/22/1974)

      Runtime: 1:10

      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-526
      Briefing to a group from Cincinnati by Vern Lowen. (3/22/1974, Family Theater)

      Runtime: 39:00:00

      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.
    • WHCA-SR-S-527
      Press briefing by Gerald Warren. (3/22/1974, White House Press Lobby)

      Runtime: 45:00:00

      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.

  • 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-6848
      Weekly News Summary, Tape III.
      ALL NETWORKS

      5. Smith/Gill: Watergate-Hughes money. Time Code Start: 08:53. Keywords: Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, scandals, Presidents, gifts, money, funding, fundraising, donations, contrubutions, Howard Hughes, aviators. Network: ABC.

      6. Smith/Donaldson: President Nixon's homes with Brooks and Buchanan. Time Code Start: 11:30. Keywords: Presidents, speech writers, staff members, residences, housing, real estate, interviews. Network: ABC.

      7. Smith/Clark: New York Senator James Buckley. Time Code Start: 12:26. Keywords: Senators, media, interviews, Presidents, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, cover-ups, scandals, impeachment, resignations. Network: ABC.

      8. Smith: President Nixon's taxes. Time Code Start: 14:06. Keywords: Presidents, Internal Revenue Service, taxes, taxation, revenue, audits, investigations, state taxes. Network: ABC.

      9. Smith/Koppel: Secretary of State Kissinger's trip. Time Code Start: 16:52. Keywords: cabinet, advisors, travel, trips. Network: ABC.

      10. Smith/Miller: Farmers concerned by President Nixon statements. Time Code Start: 18:28. Keywords: Presidents, speeches, agriculture, lobbyists. Network: ABC.

      11. Smith: Commentary on France spitting on U.S. lately. Time Code Start: 21:51. Keywords: European, criticisms. Network: ABC.

      12. Chancellor/Nessen: Proposals to relax pollution laws. Time Code Start: 23:34. Keywords: bills, laws, ecology, environment, pollutants, air pollution, water pollution, noise pollution, smog, smoke, fossil fuels, litter, sludge, contamination, debris. Network: NBC.

      13. Chancellor/Valeriani: Soviet views on peace, Secretary of State Kissinger trip to Russia. Time Code Start: 26:11. Keywords: cabinet, advisors, travel, trips, USSR, Soviet Union. Network: NBC.

      14. Chancellor: Long and Representative Mills' views on President Nixon's taxes. Time Code Start: 28:02. Keywords: Presidents, Internal Revenue Service, taxes, taxation, revenue, audits, investigations, state taxes. Network: NBC.

      15. Chancellor: Brooks and Buchanan on President Nixon's homes. Time Code Start: 28:50. Keywords: Presidents, speech writers, staff members, residences, housing, real estate, interviews. Network: NBC.

      16. Cronkite/Herman: Proposals to relax pollution laws. Time Code Start: 30:08. Keywords: bills, laws, ecology, environment, pollutants, air pollution, water pollution, noise pollution, smog, smoke, fossil fuels, litter, sludge, contamination, debris. Network: CBS.

      17. Cronkite/Pierpoint: Subpoena for President Nixon. Time Code Start: 33:01. 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.

      18. Cronkite/Schieffer: Codes on Pentagon service records. Time Code Start: 34:49. Keywords: United States Department of Defense headquarters, Armed Forces. Network: CBS.

      19. Cronkite/Sevareid: Commentary on Secretary of State Kissinger trip. Time Code Start: 36:21. Keywords: cabinet, advisors, travel, trips, meetings, Russia, Soviet Union, USSR, Brezhnev. Network: CBS.

Context (External Sources)