March 30, 1969

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 Camp David, Maryland

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.

Addresses and Remarks

• Dwight David Eisenhower (5 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 502, March 30, 1969)
  Eulogy Delivered by the President at the Rotunda of the Capitol During the State Funeral for the Former President.

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 and Mrs. Nixon accompanied the funeral cortege of General Eisenhower from the Washington National Cathedral to the Capitol Building.

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.

• Eulogy Delivered at the Capitol During the State Funeral of General Eisenhower

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.

No Federal Register published on this date

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 30, 1969, you should also consult the full folder for the month.]

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 47, March 30, 1969, Eisenhower Eulogy

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)
  Sunday, March 30.
  
  The first Eisenhower funeral day. Dawned bright and sunny at Camp David. Chapin and I took long walk after breakfast around whole camp perimeter. Brisk, cold, a little snow left from last night. Lots of exercise (bowled four lines yesterday afternoon with Chapin and Chuck Larson and the Camp Commander). Then Chapin and I had a long talk regarding operations, people, etc.
  
  President slept fairly late, then worked with Ray. Feeling better but still obviously under the weather. Chopper back at 1:00. Brief spell in office.
  
  Left in Presidential motorcade at 2:45 for National Cathedral - streets cleared, light snow, dreary. People all along way. Impressive ceremony to bring casket out of Cathedral into hearse. I rode in the second car behind President, with Tkach and Ziegler. Ahead of President were fifteen Eisenhower family cars. Motorcade back to Washington Monument - stopped there to change to caisson. Lots of people on all the streets. No great sadness, mainly appeared to be curious. Lots of cameras. Impressed by many who saluted Presidential car as it passed (flags on bumpers - with black streamers above). Constitution was jammed for cortege route.
  
  Someone really screwed up on schedule - ended up one and a half hours late. Allowed no time for getting into and out of cars - and motorcade was a mile long - all the heads of state, Cabinet, etc. Arrived at Capitol for another impressive ceremony as casket carried up steps. Great hymn, 21 gun salute, pall bearers had tough job on steps.
  
  President very good on eulogy in Rotunda. Read it (had called me this morning to be sure he had lighted podium). Hughes said he broke down in hall after leaving Rotunda. The whole thing has been pretty tough on him, topped by not feeling well.
  
  Also talked to him several times on phone at Camp David regarding funeral arrangements. And again after we got back to White House after Capitol ceremony. The reception tomorrow night is really going to be a dilly. Added the Cabinet, Joint Chiefs of Staff, etc. A real mob scene. Hope we can handle it. Kissinger really swamped trying to figure out private meeting schedule, and develop briefing papers.
• 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

• Text search for March 30, 1969
• Date search for March 30, 1969

All National Archives Units

• Text search for March 30, 1969
• Date search for March 30, 1969

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.

• No President's Daily Brief delivered on this date

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. XII, Soviet Union, January 1969-October 1970

Initial Contacts, January-April 22, 1969

• 30. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon, Washington, March 30, 1969

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 653, Country Files, Middle East, Sisco Middle East Talks, April–June 1969. Secret; Nodis. The memorandum is not initialed by Kissinger. A copy was sent to Halperin on April 2. A virtually identical copy of this memorandum was sent to Kissinger on March 28 by Saunders, which indicates that he was the drafter. (Ibid., Box 649, Country Files, Middle East, Middle East Negotiations, March 27–May 31, 1969)

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-0628 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-0628-, Marines and Navy military personnel salute as former President Dwight Eisenhower's funeral procession arrives at the capitol building. 3/30/1969, Washington, D.C. Capitol Hill. unidentified military personnel.

Roll WHPO-0629 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-0629-, Funeral procession of former President Dwight Eisenhower at the Capitol Building. 3/30/1969, Washington, D.C. Capitol Hill. unidentified military personnel.

Roll WHPO-0630 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-0630-, Funeral procession of former President Dwight Eisenhower arriving at the Capitol Building. 3/30/1969, Washington, D.C. Capitol Hill. unidentified military personnel.

Roll WHPO-0631 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-0631-, Military personel stand at attention for former President Dwight Eisenhower's funeral procession. 3/30/1969, Washington, D.C. Capitol Hill. unidentified military personnel.

Roll WHPO-0632 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-0632-, Former President Dwight Eisenhower's funeral at the National Cathedral. 3/30/1969, Washington, D.C. National Cathedral. unidentified military personnel and civilians.

Roll WHPO-0634 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-0634-, Former President Dwight Eisenhower's funeral at the Capitol Building. 3/30/1969, Washington, D.C. Capitol Hill. unidentified civilians and military personnel.

Roll WHPO-0635 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-0635-, Former President Dwight Eisenhower's funeral at the Capitol Building. 3/30/1969, Washington, D.C. Capitol Hill. unidentified civilians and military personnel.

Roll WHPO-0636 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-0636-, Former President Dwight Eisenhower's funeral at the Capitol Building. 3/30/1969, Washington, D.C. Capitol Hill. unidentified civilians and military personnel.
• Frame(s): WHPO-0636-28, President Nixon with hand over heart standing with family, officials, and military personnel at former President Dwight Eisenhower's funeral procession into the Capitol Building. 3/30/1969, Washington, D.C. Capitol Hill. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Tricia Nixon, Julie Eisenhower, David Eisenhower, unidentified civilian mourners, military personnel.

Roll WHPO-0637 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-0637-, Former President Dwight Eisenhower's funeral at the Capitol Building. 3/30/1969, Washington, D.C. Capitol Hill. unidentified military personnel.

Roll WHPO-0638 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-0638-, President Nixon attending former President Dwight Eisenhower's funeral at the Capitol. 3/30/1969, Washington, D.C. Capitol Rotunda. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Tricia Nixon, John Eisenhower, Mrs. Barbara Eisenhower, Mamie Eisenhower, Spiro Agnew, Shah of Iran, unidentified dignitaries and military personnel.
• Frame(s): WHPO-0638-09A, President Nixon speaking at the podium during former President Dwight Eisenhower's funeral at the Capitol. 3/30/1969, Washington, D.C. Capitol Rotunda. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, John Eisenhower, Mrs. Barbara Eisenhower, Mamie Eisenhower, Spiro Agnew, the Shah of Iran, unidentified dignitaries and military personnel.
• Frame(s): WHPO-0638-13A, President Nixon standing in respect after laying a wreath at the casket of former President Dwight Eisenhowert during the funeral in the Capitol. 3/30/1969, Washington, D.C. Capitol Rotunda. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Tricia Nixon, John Eisenhower, Mrs. Barbara Eisenhower, Mamie Eisenhower, Spiro Agnew, the Shah of Iran, unidentified dignitaries and military personnel.

Roll WHPO-0639 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-0639-, President Nixon attending Dwight Eisenhower's funeral at the Capitol Building. 3/30/1969, Washington, D.C. Capitol Rotunda. President Nixon, unidentified dignitaries and military personnel.

Roll WHPO-0640 Photographer: Durrence | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-0640-, Funeral procession and cortege of former President Dwight Eisenhower proceeding down Constitution Avenue, N.W. in Washington, D.C. 3/30/1969, Washington, D.C. Constitution Avenue, N.W. unidentified persons.

Roll WHPO-0641 Photographer: Durrence | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-0641-03A-17A, Former President Dwight Eisenhower's funeral procession. 3/30/1969, Washington, D.C. Constitution Avenue, N.W. President Nixon, unidentified persons.
• Frame(s): WHPO-0641-18A, President Nixon inside his limo during Dwight Eisenhower's funeral. 3/30/1969, Washington, D.C. Constitution Avenue, N.W. President Nixon, unidentified persons.

Roll WHPO-0642 Photographer: Durrence | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-0642-, Former President Dwight Eisenhower's funeral procession. 3/30/1969, Washington, D.C. Constitution Avenue, N.W. President Nixon, unidentified persons.

Roll WHPO-0840 Photographer: Schuman | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-0840-01, Riderless horse is led in the funeral procession for former President Dwight Eisenhower. 3/30/1969, Washington, D.C. Constitution Avenue. unidentified military person, crowd.

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-690332
  Remarks by President Nixon in a Eulogy Delivered at the Capitol During the State Funeral of General Eisenhower, with Reverend E. Elson. (3/30/1969, Rotunda of the Capitol)
  
  Runtime: 15:24
  
  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-3286
  "Face the Nation" on General Eisenhower AND "Meet the Press" with Senator Mansfield.
  NBC
  Runtime: 1:00
• WHCA-3287
  Special on General Eisenhower.
  CBS
  Runtime: 1:00
• WHCA-3288
  Special on General Eisenhower, Part One.
  CBS
  Runtime: 1:00
• WHCA-3289
  Special on General Eisenhower, Part Two.
  CBS
  Runtime: 1:00
• WHCA-3290
  Special on General Eisenhower, Part Three.
  CBS
  Runtime: 1:00
• WHCA-3291
  Special on General Eisenhower, Part Four.
  NBC
  Runtime: 1:00

• New York Times of March 30, 1969

• AP Images photos from March 30, 1969
• Getty Images photos from March 30, 1969

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 1969 Broadcast Index

Wikipedia is a free encyclopedia that anyone can edit.

• March 30, 1969