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March 3, 1972

Introduction

This almanac page for Friday, March 3, 1972, 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 2, 1972

Next Date: Saturday, March 4, 1972

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 Key Biscayne, Florida

  • 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.

  • 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

  • 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.

  • 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. IV, Foreign Assistance, International Development, Trade Policies, 1969-1972

    International Development Policy, 1969-1972

    Commodities and Strategic Materials, 1969-1972

    Vol. XXIX, Eastern Mediterranean, 1969-1972

    Cyprus

    • 408. Telegram From the Embassy in Greece to the Department of State, Athens, March 3, 1972, 1622Z

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 594, Country Files—Middle East, Greece, Vol. III Jan 72–Oct 73. Secret; Exdis. Repeated to Nicosia, Ankara, and USUN. Another copy is ibid., RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 27 CYP.

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

    Italy

    Vol. E-1, Documents on Global Issues, 1969-1972

    International Environmental Policy

    • 318. Memorandum of Conversation, Washington, March 3, 1972

      CEQ Chairman Train and Soviet Ambassador Dobrynin discussed the feasibility of U.S.-U.S.S.R. joint working projects and the possibility that U.S. and Soviet leaders could sign a bilateral environmental agreement during the Moscow summit.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Agency Files, Box 217, CEQ II. Secret. The meeting took place at the Council on Environmental Quality. Copies were sent to the U.S. participants, the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, and Sonnenfeldt.

    Vol. E-4, Documents on Iran and Iraq, 1969-1972

    Iran 1972

    Vol. E-7, Documents on South Asia, 1969-1972

    Bangladesh, December 1971-December 1972

    • 406. Telegram 770 From the Consulate General in Dacca to the Department of State, Dacca, March 3, 1972, 0615Z

      Consul General Spivack cabled that he felt that “we are approaching the limits of tolerance of GOBD in matter of continued operation of this post without US recognition of BD.” He suggested that a decision on recognition be conveyed to the Bangladesh Government by March 9th in order “to do what we intend to do without appearing to be forced into it by GOBD action.”

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 591, Country Files, Middle East, Bangladesh. Secret; Priority; Nodis. Saunders sent a copy of this telegram to Haig on March 3 with a covering memorandum in which he suggested that Haig approve an instruction to Spivack to return to Washington for consultation. “The main rationale for bringing him back here would be to gain the time necessary to allow us to recognize only toward the end of March. It seems unlikely that the Bengalis would throw us out if it appeared that we were on the verge of taking a final decision.” Haig returned the memorandum to Saunders with a handwritten note instructing that Spivack be recalled on March 17.

    • 407. Transcript of Telephone Conversation Between the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) and President Nixon, Washington, March 3, 1972, noon

      Nixon and Kissinger discussed the timing of recognition of Bangladesh. Nixon said “I am just going to drag my feet on it.” He and Kissinger considered delaying a decision until April.

      Source: Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Kissinger Papers, Box 397, Telephone Conversations, Home File, Jan–Apr 1972. No classification marking.

    Vol. E-13, Documents on China, 1969-1972

    • 108. Message From the Government of the United States to the Government of the People’s Republic of China, Washington, March 3, 1972, Washington, March 3, 1972

      The message informed PRC officials that the U.S. Government proposed to announce Paris as the “public contact point” for communication between the two nations. It also described the nature of a conversation between President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs Kissinger and Soviet Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Dobrynin, and thanked the Chinese for inviting two U.S. senators to visit China.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 849, President’s File-China Trip, China Exchanges, March 1, 1972-June 24, 1972. No classification marking. No drafting information appears on the message. A typed notation on the message indicates that Peter Rodman of the National Security Council staff delivered the message to Shih Yen-hua, a member of the PRC delegation to the UN.

  • 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-8659 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-8659-, Art Sohmer accepting a presentation on behalf of Vice President Agnew. 3/3/1972, Washington, D.C. unknown. Art Sohmer, unidentified persons.

    Roll WHPO-8660 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-8660-, Unidentified group of young boys and men standing on the stairway. 3/3/1972, Washington, D.C. stairway, Diplomat Entrance, White House. unidentified men and boys.

    Roll WHPO-8663 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-8663-, The dais at the Republican Leadership Conference dinner. Vice President Agnew speaking at a podium and leaving with his wife. 3/3/1972, Washington, D.C. Washington Hilton Hotel. Spiro Agnew, Judy Agnew, Republican leaders.

    Roll WHPO-8664 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-8664-, The dais at the Republican Leadership Conference dinner. Senator Hugh Scott and Vice President Agnew speaking at a podium. 3/3/1972, Washington, D.C. Washington Hilton Hotel. Spiro Agnew, Hugh Scott, Republican leaders.

  • 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-526
      Briefing by Edward David and Henry Cashen. (3/3/1972, Family Theater, White House)

      Runtime: 1:40:00

      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 RSM (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-5159
      "Martin Agronsky: Evening Edition". Richard Nixon, Pat Nixon, Chou EnLai, Chinese Officials.
      CBS
      Runtime: 00:29:30
    • WHCA-5180
      Weekly News Summary, Tape I.
      ALL NETWORKS
      Runtime: 01:35:42

      1. Smith: Unemployment. Time Code Start: 00:00. Keywords: jobs, unemployment, statistics. Network: ABC.

      2. Smith/Sherwood: President Nixon and the New Hampshire primary. Time Code Start: 01:16. Keywords: Presidential elections, campaigns, primaries, voting. Network: ABC.

      3. Smith/Clark: International Telephone & Telegraph (ITT Corporation), Senator Scott, Senator Ted Kennedy. Time Code Start: 03:04. Keywords: International Telephone & Telegraph, communications, world, corporations, conglomerates, investigations, campaign funding, reports. Network: ABC.

      4. Reasoner/Bell: Busing in Florida (Governor Askew/Governor George Wallace). Time Code Start: 05:47. Keywords: law, Governors, bills, laws, legislation, desegregation, racism, racial discrimination, African Americans, schools, students, transportation, reports. Network: ABC.

      5. Smith/Geer: Berrigan trial (Harrisburg 7). Time Code Start: 08:14. Keywords: Protests, militants, bombings, violence, sabotage, shootings, kidnappings, courts, trials, investigations, prosecutions. Network: ABC.

      6. Smith: Commentary on Bill Lawrence. Time Code Start: 10:33. Keywords: news, reports. Network: ABC.

      7. Chancellor/Duke: International Telephone & Telegraph (ITT Corporation) and Richard Kleindienst (Consumer Activist Ralph Nader, Senator Ted Kennedy, Senator Scott). Time Code Start: 13:23. Keywords: cabinet, advisors, International Telephone & Telegraph, communications, world, corporations, conglomerates, campaign funding, investigations, activists, issues, reports, statements. Network: NBC.

      8. Chancellor: More on International Telephone & Telegraph (ITT Corporation) (Reinicke). Time Code Start: 16:58. Keywords: International Telephone & Telegraph, communications, world, corporations, conglomerates, campaign funding, investigations. Network: NBC.

      9. Chancellor/Levine: Unemployment drop. Time Code Start: 19:05. Keywords: jobs, unemployment, statistics. Network: NBC.

      10. Chancellor/Kiker: New Hampshire Democratic Presidential campaigning, Senator McGovern says Vietnam War is not only issue in 1972. Time Code Start: 21:01. Keywords: Presidential elections, campaigns, campaigning, candidates, issues. Network: NBC.

      11. Chancellor/Stern: Berrigan trial (Harrisburg 7). Time Code Start: 24:02. Keywords: Protests, militants, bombings, violence, sabotage, shootings, kidnappings, courts, trials, investigations, prosecutions. Network: NBC.

      12. Chancellor/Mackin: Florida and busing (Governor George Wallace, Mayor John Lindsay). Time Code Start: 26:39. Keywords: Mayors, Governors, bills, laws, legislation, desegregation, racism, racial discrimination, African Americans, schools, students, transportation, reports, Presidential elections, campaigns, primaries, candidates. Network: NBC.

      13. Cronkite/Strasser: International Telephone & Telegraph (ITT Corporation) (Richard Kleindienst). Time Code Start: 29:57. Keywords: International Telephone & Telegraph, communications, world, corporations, conglomerates, campaign funding, investigations. Network: CBS.

      14. Cronkite: More on International Telephone & Telegraph (ITT Corporation). Time Code Start: 34:32. Keywords: International Telephone & Telegraph, communications, world, corporations, conglomerates, campaign funding, investigations. Network: CBS.

      15. Cronkite: Unemployment drop. Time Code Start: 35:07. Keywords: jobs, unemployment, statistics. Network: CBS.

      16. Cronkite/Serafin: Berrigan trial (Harrisburg 7). Time Code Start: 36:11. Keywords: Protests, militants, bombings, violence, sabotage, shootings, kidnappings, courts, trials, investigations, prosecutions. Network: CBS.

      17. Cronkite/Wallace: Campaign 1972, New Hampshire (Senator Muskie, Senator McGovern). Time Code Start: 38:24. Keywords: Senators, Presidential elections, campaigns, primaries, candidates. Network: CBS.

Context (External Sources)