March 8, 1972

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 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.

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.

• Statement on Establishing a New System for Classification and Declassification of Government Documents Relating to National Security.
• Order Designating Authority To Classify Information or Material Within the Executive office of the President
• Memorandums About Acceleration of Publication of "Foreign Relations of the United States" Series.
• Executive Order 11652—Classification and Declassification of National Security Information and Material

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.

• Federal Register of Wednesday, March 8, 1972

The Congressional Record is the official daily record of the debates and proceedings of the U.S. Congress.

• Senate: March 8, 1972
• House of Representatives: March 8, 1972
• Extensions of Remarks: March 8, 1972

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)
• Original audio recording (MP3)

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 8, 1972
• Date search for March 8, 1972

All National Archives Units

• Text search for March 8, 1972
• Date search for March 8, 1972

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.

• President's Daily Brief of 08 March 1972

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

Expropriation Policy, 1969-1972

• 175. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for International Economic Affairs (Flanigan), Washington, March 8, 1972

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Agency Files, Box 219, CIEP. Confidential. A copy was sent to Kissinger.

Coordinating Committee on Export Controls, 1969-1972

• 377. Memorandum From the Acting Chairman of the National Security Council Under Secretaries Committee (Samuels) to President Nixon, Washington, March 8, 1972

  Source: National Archives, RG 59, S/S Files: Lot 83 D 276, NSC-U/DM 85. Secret. Copies were sent to the Deputy Secretary of Defense, Under Secretary of Commerce, the President’s Assistant for International Economic Affairs, the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs, the Director of Central Intelligence, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the Director of the Office of Science and Technology under cover of a March 8 memorandum from Hartman. (Ibid.)

Vol. V, United Nations, 1969-1972

Special Meetings of the Security Council

• 125. Letter From Secretary of State Rogers to British Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Douglas-Home, Washington, March 8, 1972

  Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, UN 3 SC. Confidential. Drafted by Armitage and concurred in by Newsom, Meyer, and Hillenbrand.

Vol. VIII, Vietnam, January-October 1972

Before the Easter Offensive, January 20-March 29, 1972

• 33. Memorandum From Secretary of Defense Laird to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), Washington, March 8, 1972

  Source: Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Kissinger Papers, Box TS 5, Chronological File, Mar.–Aug. 1972. Top Secret; Sensitive.

• 34. Memorandum From Secretary of Defense Laird to President Nixon, Washington, March 8, 1972

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–062, Senior Review Group Meetings, SRG Meeting Vietnam Assessment 1/24/72. Top Secret; Sensitive. See Nixon’s marginal comment in footnote 1, Document 18.

• 35. Message From the Commander, Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (Abrams) to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (Moorer) and the Commander in Chief, Pacific (McCain), Saigon, March 8, 1972, 1155Z

  Source: National Archives, RG 218, Records of the Chairman, Records of Thomas Moorer, Box 62, COMUSMACV General Service Messages, March 1972. Top Secret; Flash; Specat; Exclusive.

Vol. XVII, China, 1969-1972

China, March-December 1972

• 208. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon, Washington, March 8, 1972

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 529, Country Files, Far East, Homer, US–PRC Negotiations, Paris. Top Secret; Nodis; Homer. Sent for information. A typed note attached to the document reads: “Mr. President: Tab A has been removed and is available if you wish to see it. BAK, Staff Secretary.”

Vol. XXIX, Eastern Mediterranean, 1969-1972

Cyprus

• 409. Telegram From the Embassy in Cyprus to the Department of State, Nicosia, March 8, 1972, 0845Z

  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 Athens, Ankara, London, USNATO, EUCOM, USDOCOSOUTH, and USUN. Another copy is ibid., RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, DEF 19–6 CZECH–CYP.

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

Iran 1972

• 173. Telegram 1379 From the Embassy in Iran to the Department of State, Tehran, March 8, 1972, 1345Z

  The Embassy reported that the Shah had responded to the advice of ARMISH/MAAG and the IIAF, and had reduced his demand for accelerated 1972 delivery of F–4s to eight aircraft.
  
  Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, DEF 12–5 IRAN. Secret. Repeated to SECDEF, CSAF, and EUCOM.

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

U.S. Relations with India and Pakistan, 1972

• 232. Telegram 2922 From the Embassy in India to the Department of State, New Delhi, March 8, 1972, 1624Z

  The Embassy reported that criticism of the United States was a constant theme during a 3-week campaign tour of India by Prime Minister Gandhi. Her anti-U.S. tone was only partially mitigated by occasional acknowledgement of a desire to improve Indo-U.S. relations.
  
  Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 15–1 INDIA. Confidential. Repeated to Islamabad, London, Moscow, Dacca, Madras, Bombay, Calcutta, and CINCPAC.

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.

Visit the White House Tapes finding aid to learn about the taping system's operation and archival processing.

Old Executive Office Building

• 321-18; 12:29 p.m. - 12:45 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Haldeman, H. R. ("Bob")
• 321-19; Unknown between 12:45 p.m. & 2:15 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Sanchez, Manolo
• 321-20; Unknown between 12:45 p.m. & 2:15 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); [Unknown person(s)]
• 321-21; 2:15 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Ziegler, Ronald L.; [Unknown person(s)]
• 321-22; Unknown between 2:45 p.m. & 3:55 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); [Unknown person(s)]
• 321-23; Unknown between 2:45 p.m. & 3:55 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Sanchez, Manolo
• 321-24; 3:55 p.m. - 4:35 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Kissinger, Henry A.; [Unknown person(s)]; Sanchez, Manolo
• 321-25; Unknown between 4:35 p.m. & 4:40 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Sanchez, Manolo
• 321-26; Unknown between 4:35 p.m. & 4:40 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); White House operator
• 321-27; 4:40 p.m. - 4:43 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Ziegler, Ronald L.
• 321-28; Unknown between 4:43 p.m. & 4:56 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); [Unknown person(s)]
• 321-29; 4:56 p.m. - 5:01 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Kissinger, Henry A.
• 321-30; Unknown between 5:01 p.m. & 5:03 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Haldeman, H. R. ("Bob")
• 321-31; 5:03 p.m. - 5:50 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Haldeman, H. R. ("Bob"); Bull, Stephen B.

White House Telephone

• 21-20; Unknown between 10:25 a.m. & 11:49 a.m.; Haldeman, H. R. ("Bob"); White House operator; Kissinger, Henry A.; Nixon, Richard M. (President)
• 21-21; Unknown between 10:25 a.m. & 11:49 a.m.; White House operator; Haldeman, H. R. ("Bob")
• 21-22; Unknown between 11:50 a.m. & 4:40 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); White House operator
• 21-23; 4:40 p.m. - 4:43 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Ziegler, Ronald L.
• 21-24; 4:56 p.m. - 5:01 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Kissinger, Henry A.
• 21-25; Unknown between 9:00 a.m. & 9:59 a.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); White House operator
• 21-26; Unknown between 9:00 a.m. & 9:59 a.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); White House operator
• 21-27; 9:59 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Skelton, Richard ("Red")
• 21-28; Unknown between 10:00 a.m. & 12:31 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); White House operator
• 21-29; 12:31 p.m. - 12:34 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Cox, Tricia Nixon
• 21-30; Unknown between 12:34 p.m. & 12:56 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); White House operator
• 21-31; 12:56 p.m. - 12:57 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Cox, Tricia Nixon
• 21-32; 12:58 p.m. - 12:59 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Cox, Tricia Nixon
• 21-33; Unknown between 12:59 p.m. & 1:48 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); White House operator
• 21-34; 1:48 p.m. - 1:51 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Cox, Tricia Nixon
• 21-35; Unknown between 1:51 p.m. & 1:57 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); White House operator
• 21-36; 1:57 p.m. - 1:58 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Ziegler, Ronald L.
• 21-37; Unknown between 1:58 p.m. & 2:39 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); White House operator
• 21-38; 2:39 p.m. - 2:40 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Irwin, John N., II
• 21-39; 4:03 p.m. - 4:03 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Eisenhower, Julie Nixon

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-8685 Photographer: Grove, Andrew | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-8685-, Unidentified group of adults and children posed on the steps at the North Portico of the White House. 3/8/1972, Washington, D.C. North Portico steps, White House. unidentified adults and children.

Roll WHPO-8686 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-8686-, Closeup portrait of Dr. William Lukash. 3/8/1972, Washington, D.C. unknown. William Lukash.
• Frame(s): WHPO-8686-11A, Portrait of Dr. William Lukash. 3/8/1972, Washington, D.C. unknown. William Lukash.

Roll WHPO-8687 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-8687-, Tricia Nixon Cox is greeted by unidentified people, upon arrival at an unidentified location. Tricia speaking at a podium and greeting guests. Tricia admiring a framed picture of Nixon. Tricia leaving. 3/8/1972, unknown unknown. Tricia Nixon Cox, unidentified persons.
• Frame(s): WHPO-8687-14, Tricia Nixon Cox is greeted by unidentified woman. 3/8/1972, unknown unknown. Tricia Nixon Cox, unidentified woman.
• Frame(s): WHPO-8687-22, Tricia Nixon Cox admiring a framed picture of President Nixon. 3/8/1972, unknown unknown. Tricia Nixon Cox.

Roll WHPO-8688 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-8688-, Tricia Nixon Cox greeting Young Republicans individually. 3/8/1972, Washington, D.C. Grand Hall, White House. Tricia Nixon Cox, Young Republicans.

Roll WHPO-8689 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-8689-02-26, Closeup portrait of Judy Kaufman. 3/8/1972, Washington, D.C. unknown. Judy Kaufman, unidentified woman.
• Frame(s): WHPO-8689-28, Photo of an unidentified woman talking on the phone. 3/8/1972, Washington, D.C. unknown. Judy Kaufman, unidentified woman.

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-531
  Press briefing by Ronald Ziegler and John Mueller on declassification. (3/8/1972, Press Center, White House)
  
  Runtime: 60:00:00
  
  Keywords: Press conferences, news conferences, interviews, media, press secretary
  
  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-5173
  "Today" Show. Richard Nixon, Pat Nixon.
  CBS
  Runtime: 1:00
• WHCA-5174
  "Today" Show. Richard Nixon, Pat Nixon.
  CBS
  Runtime: 00:59:42
• WHCA-5181
  Weekly News Summary, Tape II.
  ALL NETWORKS
  Runtime: 01:34:54
  
  26. Smith/Clark: International Telephone & Telegraph (ITT Corporation). Time Code Start: 74:47. Keywords: International Telephone & Telegraph, communications, world, corporations, conglomerates, campaign funding, investigations. Network: ABC.
  
  27. Smith: President Nixon issues executive order on classification of documents. Time Code Start: 77:05. Keywords: Presidents, orders, archives, documents, security. Network: ABC.
  
  28. Reasoner/Reynolds: New Hampshire: Senator Muskie, Representative McCloskey, and Representative Ashbrook. Time Code Start: 77:47. Keywords: Senators, Presidential elections, campaigns, campaigning, candidates. Network: ABC.
  
  29. Smith: Commentary on government, campaigns, elections. Time Code Start: 79:45. Keywords: Presidential elections, campaigns, campaigning, primaries, candidates, costs, finances, funding. Network: ABC.
  
  30. Chancellor/Goralski: Washington considers air piracy (hijacking). Time Code Start: 81:14. Keywords: hijackings, skyjackings, kidnappings, terrorism, aircraft, airlines. Network: NBC.
  
  31. Chancellor/Perkins/Mackin: New Hampshire, Senator McGovern and Senator Muskie head for Florida. Time Code Start: 83:20. Keywords: elections, campaigns, campaigning, primaries, candidates. Network: NBC.
  
  32. Chancellor/Duke: International Telephone & Telegraph (ITT Corporation). Time Code Start: 88:30. Keywords: International Telephone & Telegraph, communications, world, corporations, conglomerates, campaign funding, investigations. Network: NBC.
  
  33. Chancellor/Stern: Berrigan trial (Harrisburg 7). Time Code Start: 91:50. Keywords: Protests, militants, bombings, violence, sabotage, shootings, kidnappings, courts, trials, investigations, prosecutions. Network: NBC.
• WHCA-5182
  Weekly News Summary, Tape III.
  ALL NETWORKS
  Runtime: 00:47:00
  
  1. Chancellor: Commentary on New Hampshire primary. Time Code Start: 00:00. Keywords: Presidential elections, campaigns, primaries, voting. Network: NBC.
  
  2. Collingwood/Wallace: New Hampshire primary (Senator Muskie). Time Code Start: 01:10. Keywords: Senators, Presidential elections, campaigns, primaries, voting. Network: CBS.
  
  3. Collingwood/Shoumacher: Florida campaigning. Time Code Start: 04:44. Keywords: elections, campaigns, campaigning, primaries, candidates, speeches. Network: CBS.

• New York Times of March 8, 1972

• AP Images photos from March 8, 1972
• Getty Images photos from March 8, 1972

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 1972 Broadcast Index

Wikipedia is a free encyclopedia that anyone can edit.

• March 8, 1972