1. Home
  2. Research
  3. Almanac

March 4, 1972

Introduction

This almanac page for Saturday, March 4, 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: Friday, March 3, 1972

Next Date: Sunday, March 5, 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.

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. XXXIV, National Security Policy, 1969-1972

    The Defense Budget and U.S. National Security Policy

    Vol. E-2, Documents on Arms Control and Nonproliferation, 1969-1972

    Chemical and Biological Warfare; Geneva Protocol; Biological Weapons Convention

    • 250. Telegram 37639 From the Department of State to the Embassy in the Soviet Union, Washington, March 4, 1972

      The telegram reported on a telephone conversation between Soviet Ambassador Dobrynin and Assistant Secretary DePalma concerning the upcoming signature of the Biological Weapons Convention. Dobrynin proposed that the signing occur between March 20 and 24, and be done at the foreign minister level in the presence of heads of Government.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–1973, POL 27–10. Confidential. Also sent to London. It was repeated to USMission Geneva, USNATO, and USUN. Drafted on March 3 by Neidle (ACDA/IR); cleared by De Palma (IO) and Shaw (PM); and approved by Leonard (ACDA/IR).

    Vol. E-10, Documents on American Republics, 1969-1972

    Bolivia

    • 110. Memorandum From Ashley Hewitt of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), Washington, March 4, 1972., Washington, March 4, 1972

      National Security Council staff member Hewitt summarized a study of the situation in Bolivia to ensure that the United States was doing all it could to support new President Hugo Bánzer Suárez.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–232, NSDM Files, NSDM 160. Secret. Sent for action. Kennedy and Hormats concurred. Kissinger wrote “see notes, see me” on the first page. In the margin of the “Issues and Recommendations” section, Kissinger wrote, “Why are we always so tough with friends?” Next to the paragraph that begins, “The study recommends,” Kissinger wrote, “Within limits.” Attached but not published at Tab A is a proposed version of National Security Decision Memorandum 160 (Document 111) and at Tab B is the February 14 paper, “The Situation and Outlook in Bolivia.”

  • 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-8681 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-8681-02-31, Pat Nixon at a podium officially opening the Camellia Festival. Pat Nixon visiting some of the Camellia Festival international exhibits. 3/4/1972, Sacramento, California steps, basement, Camellia Festival Auditorium; tarmac, McClellan Air Field. Pat Nixon, Nancy Reagan, officials, exhibitors, unidentified women, officials.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8681-32-24, Pat Nixon talking with women and embracing Nancy Reagan prior to departing. 3/4/1972, Sacramento, California steps, basement, Camellia Festival Auditorium; tarmac, McClellan Air Field. Pat Nixon, Nancy Reagan, officials, exhibitors, unidentified women, officials.

    Roll WHPO-8682 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-8682-02-03, Pat Nixon walking on the tarmac with California Governor Ronald Reagan and Mrs. Nancy Reagan. 3/4/1972, Sacramento, California Capitol steps, grounds. Pat Nixon, Ronald Reagan, Nancy Reagan, E.A. Combatalade, contest winners, crowd.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8682-04-23, A Camellia bush planting ceremony at the Sacramento, California Capitol building grounds. Pat Nixon with Governor Ronald Reagan and Nancy Reagan and greeting contest winners. 3/4/1972, Sacramento, California Capitol steps, grounds. Pat Nixon, Ronald Reagan, Nancy Reagan, E.A. Combatalade, contest winners, crowd.

    Roll WHPO-8683 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-8683-02-08, Pat Nixon walking with Nancy Reagan and E.A. Combatalade. Pat Nixon walking with Nancy Reagan and E.A. Combatalade standing at a podium. 3/4/1972, Sacramento, California street, Capital steps; unidentified room. Pat Nixon, Nancy Reagan, E.A. Combatalade, unidentified persons.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8683-09, Pat Nixon and Nancy Reagan speaking to unidentified persons at the Sacramento Capitol. 3/4/1972, Sacramento, California street, Capitol steps; unidentified room. Pat Nixon, Nancy Reagan, E.A. Combatalade, unidentified persons.

    Roll WHPO-8684 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-8684-01A-4A, Pat Nixon is greeted upon her arrival at McClellan Air Field. 3/4/1972, Sacramento, California McClellan Air Field, tarmac. Pat Nixon, Ronald Reagan, Nancy Reagan, military personnel, Republicans, Camellia Festival participants, crowd.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8684-05A-13A, Pat Nixon with Republicans in the Governor's Office. 3/4/1972, Sacramento, California Capitol, Governor's Office. Pat Nixon, Ronald Reagan, Nancy Reagan, military personnel, Republicans, Camellia Festival participants, crowd.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8684-14A-36A, Pat Nixon at a ceremony on the Capitol steps and planting a camellia bush on the grounds. 3/4/1972, Sacramento, California Capitol, steps, grounds. Pat Nixon, Ronald Reagan, Nancy Reagan, military personnel, Republicans, Camellia Festival participants, 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.

    C - First Lady

    • WHCA-SR-C-107
      Remarks by Pat Nixon at a camelia-planting on the grounds of the California State Capitol Building in Sacramento, with Ronald Reagan and Mr. Skinner. (3/4/1972, California State Capitol Building, Sacremento)

      Runtime: 1:40

      Production credits: Audio feed supplied by WHCA; Recorded by RWF (initials of WHCA engineer)

      Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.
    • WHCA-SR-C-108
      Remarks by Pat Nixon at opening of Camelia Festival in the Municipal Auditorium, Sacramento, California. (3/4/1972, Sacramento, California)

      Runtime: 1:15

      Production credits: Audio feed supplied by WHCA; Recorded by RWF (initials of WHCA engineer)

      Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.
    • WHCA-SR-C-109
      The First Lady's tour of the Camelia Festival in the California Municipal Auditorium, Sacramento. (3/4/1972, Sacramento, California)

      Production credits: Audio feed supplied by WHCA; Recorded by RWF (initials of WHCA engineer)

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

    H - White House Staff Member Recordings

    • WHCA-SR-H-527
      Briefing by Alexander Haig and Harry Dent to Republican leaders on foreign policy. (3/4/1972, Family Theater, White House)

      Runtime: 1:15:00

      Keywords: Briefings, private briefings

      Production credits: Audio feed supplied by WHCA; Recorded by BAC (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-5160
      "Agronsky & Company". Richard Nixon, Pat Nixon, Chou EnLai, Chinese Officials.
      NBC
      Runtime: 00:29:32
    • WHCA-5180
      Weekly News Summary, Tape I.
      ALL NETWORKS
      Runtime: 01:35:42

      18. Utley/Marineze : Missing witness found in International Telephone & Telegraph (ITT Corporation) case. Time Code Start: 45:17. Keywords: International Telephone & Telegraph, communications, world, corporations, conglomerates, campaign funding, investigations, witnesses, missing persons, testimony, witnesses. Network: NBC.

      19. Utley/Duke/Neal: White House implicated in International Telephone & Telegraph (ITT Corporation) and Richard Kleindienst case. Time Code Start: 48:23. Keywords: International Telephone & Telegraph, communications, world, corporations, conglomerates, campaign funding, investigations. Network: NBC.

      20. Utley/Kiker: President Nixon pep rally In New Hampshire. Time Code Start: 51:24. Keywords: Presidents, Presidential elections, campaigns, campaigning, candidates. Network: NBC.

      21. Mudd/Threlkeld: International Telephone & Telegraph (ITT Corporation) lobbyist found in Denver hospital. Time Code Start: 54:36. Keywords: International Telephone & Telegraph, communications, world, corporations, conglomerates, campaign funding, investigations, hospitals, missing persons. Network: CBS.

      22. Mudd/Culhane: Muskie in New Hampshire. Time Code Start: 57:19. Keywords: Senators, Presidential elections, campaigns, campaigning, candidates. Network: CBS.

      23. Mudd/Shoumacher: Senator Eugene GENE McCarthy, then and now. Time Code Start: 62:57. Keywords: Senators, reports. Network: CBS.

Context (External Sources)