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March 26, 1969

Introduction

This almanac page for Wednesday, March 26, 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: Tuesday, March 25, 1969

Next Date: Thursday, March 27, 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 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.

    Appointments and Nominations

    Congress, Communications to

    • Fiscal Policy (5 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 477, March 26, 1969)
      The President's Message to the Congress on Combating Inflation.
    • Supplemental Appropriations Request (5 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 479, March 26, 1969)
      Announcement of Submission of the President's Request to the Congress.

    Letters, Memorandums, Etc.

    • Miami Teen-Age Rally for Deceny (5 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 479, March 26, 1969)
      The President's Letter to Mike Levesque, 17-Year-Old Senior at Miami Springs High School, Florida.

    Proclamations

    • Loyalty Day (5 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 478, March 26, 1969)
      Proclamation 3904.

    Digest of Other White House Announcements

    Following is a listing of items of general interest which were announced in the press but not made public as formal White House press releases during the period covered by this issue. Appointments requiring Senate approval are not included since they appear in the list of nominations submitted to the Senate, below.

    • The President has established a task force to review the question of oil import quota controls, with Secretary of Labor Shultz as Chairman. Other members are the Secretaries of State, Defense, Interior, Treasury, and Commerce, and the Director of the Office of Emergency Preparedness.
    • Foreign Minister Fernando Castiella of Spain met with the President to discuss United States relations with Spain.
    • The President visited General Dwight Eisenhower at Walter Reed Hospital.

    Nominations Submitted to the Senate

    Does not include promotions of members of the Uniformed Services, nominations to the Service Academies, or nominations of Foreign Service Officers.

    • HARRISON LOESCH, of Colorado, to be an Assistant Secretary of the Interior.
    • KENNETH E. FRICK, of California, to be a member of the Board of Directors of the Commodity Credit Corporation.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Argued

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. Although there are no specific documents dated March 26, 1969, you should also consult the full folder for the month.]

  • 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)
      Wednesday, March 26.

      NSC in the morning, then the usual clear day for the balance of Wednesday. Not sure the clear day idea is so good. Just makes for more work for me. Fortunately, Ehrlichman got caught with a long afternoon session with Arthur Burns and President.

      In the frequent staff sessions during the day – President approved Ehlichman’s idea to put a tail on EMK – but said no tap (unless find he’s meeting the Russians or other foreign governments); ordered a square put in charge of selecting White House entertainment; said to have John Mitchell do something about the dirty movie from Sweden; in reaction to Congressmen last night, ordered Finch to change guidelines and take some heat off Southern schools (wants drastic change and no arbitrary percentages); issued a batch of orders regarding protocol handling at parties; said to tell Shultz to go down the center on the common situs picketing issue (I think President has made a commitment to some degree to Meany, but wants to pull off ); said to cut back the Community Action Program 40 per cent on a selective basis, weeding out the bad ones; planned the Bliss and Hussein dinners; agreed to add 50 couples after dinner at State Dinners so we can include middle level government types; and broke through the multi-decorator impasse by giving the EOB Office to Pat Nixon's gal and the Oval Office to Williamsburg.

      President very annoyed by result of special Congressional election in Tennessee yesterday. Morton and Wilson told him Republican could win, and we gave him a lot of indirect help and money. He ran third, behind the Wallace candidate. President feels Morton inexperienced and somewhat naive, Bob Wilson incredibly naive.

      While Ziegler and I having dinner in Mess at 8:30, word came President had zipped off to Walter Reed to see DDE (who was supposed to be dying, but didn't). Created a bit of a flap, but Ziegler moved fast and covered adequately.

      Another darn good meeting with the rest of Devine's dissidents. Did a lot of good, and President learned something too. Quite pensive afterwards.
    • 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.

  • 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. III, Foreign Economic Policy; International Monetary Policy, 1969-1972

    Foreign Economic Policy

    • 14. Telegram From the Embassy in Italy to the Department of State , Rome, March 26, 1969, 2010Z

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1967-69, FN 10 IMF. Confidential; Priority; Limdis/Greenback. Other Limdis/Greenback cables from a number of European posts reporting Under Secretary Volcker’s conversations with foreign officials are ibid. The Limdis/Greenback series was a specialized series of cables, distribution of which was limited in Washington to the Volcker Group and overseas to the Ambassador, Economic Minister, and the Treasury representative. The Limdis/Greenback caption had been used during the Johnson administration as well.

    Vol. XII, Soviet Union, January 1969-October 1970

    Initial Contacts, January-April 22, 1969

    • 28. Letter From President Nixon to Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Soviet Union Kosygin, Washington, March 26, 1969

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 433, Backchannel Files/Backchannel Messages, Beam Instructions, 3/26/69 (Amb to Moscow). No classification marking. The date is handwritten. This letter was attached to a March 26 covering memorandum from Kissinger to Beam, which is not printed. Also attached but not printed were instructions from Nixon for Beam to use when he delivered the letter to Kosygin. On April 22, Beam presented the letter to Kosygin; see Document 40.

    Vol. XIX, Part 2, Japan, 1969-1972

    January-November 1969: The Decision for Okinawa Reversion

    Vol. XX, Southeast Asia, 1969-1972

    Thailand

    • 7. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Thailand, Washington, March 26, 1969, 0152Z

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, POL 15–1 THAI. Confidential. Drafted by Spear on March 10; cleared by William Bundy, Secretary Rogers, and in the White House by Richard Moose; and revised in the White House on March 25.

    Indonesia

    Vol. XXIX, Eastern Europe, 1969-1972

    General Policy

    • 2. Circular Airgram From the Department of State to All Diplomatic and Consular Posts, Washington, March 26, 1969

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, FT 1 EUR E–US. Confidential. Drafted by Robert B. Wright (E/ITP/EWT), on March 22; cleared by Toon, Carl W. Schmidt (EUR/EE), James L. Colbert (EUR/SOV), David G. Shaw (EUR/RPE), Ralph H. Graner (E/OT/GCP), Stanley Nehmer, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Resources, and Mountain, Department of Defense; and approved by Joseph Greenwald (E).

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

    Western Europe Region and NATO

    Spain

    • 277. Memorandum of Conversation , Washington, March 26, 1969, 3 p.m.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, DEF 15–4 SP–US. Secret; Nodis. Drafted by Landau and approved in the White House on April 4. The meeting took place at the White House. A separate memorandum of the meeting, apparently prepared in the White House, is ibid., Nixon Presidential Materials, White House Special Files, President’s Office Files, Memos for the President.

    Vol. E-5, Part 1, Documents on Sub-Saharan Africa, 1969-1972

    Nigerian Civil War

    • 52. Telegram 2674 From the Embassy in Nigeria to the Department of State, Lagoa, March 26, 1969, 1150Z

      The Embassy reported on Special Coordinator Clyde Fergusonʼs mission, including his meetings with Lieutenant Colonel Ojukwu, Military Governor of the Eastern Region of Nigeria, and Major General Gowon, Chairman of the Supreme Military Council of Nigeria. Ojukwu objected to daylight relief flights but supported a new airstrip, which Ferguson would not support. Gowon noted that Ojukwuʼs position blocked relief efforts. Ferguson told Gowon that civilian bombing had unified Ibo resistance.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, POL 27–9 Biafra-Nigeria. Confidential; Immediate. Repeated immediate to Addis Ababa. Also repeated to Geneva and USUN.

  • 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-0610 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-0610-, Vice President Agnew presenting a posthumous Medal of Honor to the family of Sergeant Rodney M. Davis of the United States Marine Corps. 3/26/1969, Washington, D.C. Spiro Agnew, unidentified Davis family members.

    Roll WHPO-0611 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-0611-, Vice President Agnew presenting a posthumous Medal of Honor to the family of Sergeant Davis. 3/26/1969, Washington, D.C. Spiro Agnew, unidentified Davis family members.

    Roll WHPO-0614 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-0614-, President Nixon with Spanish officials. 3/26/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, unidentifiable Spanish officials.

  • 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.

    B - Vice-Presidential (Agnew and Ford)

    • WHCA-SR-B-010
      Remarks via closed circuit TV regarding urban affairs-Family Theater, White House. (3/26/1969)

      Runtime: 7:00

      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-3270
      Chamber of Commerce Special, Part One.
      MTS
      Runtime: 1:00
    • WHCA-3271
      Chamber of Commerce Special, Part Two.
      MTS
      Runtime: 1:00
    • WHCA-3272
      Chamber of Commerce Special, Part Three.
      Metromedia, NBC
      Runtime: 0:30

Context (External Sources)