March 8, 1974

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.

• Radio Address About a Special Message to the Congress Proposing Campaign Reform Legislation.
• Special Message to the Congress Proposing Campaign Reform Legislation

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 Friday, March 8, 1974

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

• Senate: March 8, 1974
• Extensions of Remarks: March 8, 1974

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.

• News Summaries, Unmarked News Summaries, Box 67, News Summaries - March 1974 [5 of 20] [Note: Due to the way News Summary products were compiled, you should also consult nearby days for potentially relevant materials.]
  • News Summary, March 8, 1974, (Thurs. nets, wires)

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 91, Friday, March 8, 1974, Radio Speech--Campaign Reform

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, 1974
• Date search for March 8, 1974

All National Archives Units

• Text search for March 8, 1974
• Date search for March 8, 1974

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 1974

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. XXVI, Arab-Israeli Dispute, 1974-1976

Syrian-Israeli Disengagement Agreement, January-May 1974

• 30. Backchannel Message From the Deputy Director of Central Intelligence (Walters) to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), Rabat, March 8, 1974, 1327Z

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Kissinger Office Files, Box 139, Country Files, Middle East, Palestinians, Folder 1. Secret; Sensitive; Eyes Only. Walters first met with PLO officials on November 3, 1973. See Foreign Relations, volume XXV, Arab-Israeli Crisis and War, 1973, Document 318. On February 12, PLO officials relayed word through the Moroccan Government that they wished to meet again in Morocco as preparation for an eventual meeting in Washington, DC. (Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Kissinger Papers, CL 189, Geopolitical File, Middle East, Palestinians Contact Messages Book, 1973–1975) According to Kissinger’s memoirs, the U.S. Government agreed on February 16 to a meeting in Morocco between Walters and PLO representatives in March. (Years of Upheaval, p. 1037)

• 31. Memorandum of Conversation, Washington, March 8, 1974

  Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Memoranda of Conversations, Box 3, March 8, 1974, Nixon, GOP Congressional Leadership. Secret; Nodis. The meeting was held at the White House. Brackets are in the original. A list of attendees is in President Nixon’s Daily Diary. (National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, White House Central Files)

Vol. XXX, Greece; Cyprus; Turkey, 1973-1976

Greece

• 11. Telegram From the Embassy in Greece to the Department of State, Athens, March 8, 1974, 1650Z

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 594, Country Files, Middle East, Greece, Vol. IV. Secret; Exdis.

Vol. XXXIII, SALT II, 1972-1980

SALT II, 1972-1980

• 56. Letter From President Nixon to Senator Henry Jackson, Washington, March 8, 1974

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 891, SALT, SALT TWO–I–Geneva, January 1974. No classification marking. In a covering March 5 memorandum recommending that the President sign the letter to Jackson, which the President saw, Kissinger summarized Jackson’s letter and made the following observations: 1) Jackson’s proposed reductions to 1,760 strategic launchers would be one-sided and unacceptable to the Soviets, requiring them to reduce more than twice as many of their existing launchers as the United States; 2) a reductions-only program “places no real restraint” on new Soviet programs, especially their MIRV capacity; 3) Jackson’s threat of a new series of U.S. strategic programs if the Soviets did not respond to his proposed reductions would probably cause SALT to collapse. (Ibid.)

Vol. E-3, Documents on Global Issues, 1973-1976

Space and Telecommunications

• 92. Action Memorandum From the Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Organization Affairs (Buffum), the Director of the Policy Planning Staff (Lord), and the Deputy Legal Adviser (Maw) to the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs (Sisco), Washington, March 8, 1974

  The memorandum recommended submitting to the UN Working Group on Direct Broadcast Satellites a draft of principles acceptable to the United States.
  
  Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 59, L/OA Files, Lot 99 D 369, Box 11, Space—Direct Broadcast Satellites (DBS), 1973–1975. Limited Official Use. Drafted by Gathright, Stowe, and Black. Concurred in by CU and EB. Sisco initialed his approval on March 9. The attachment has not been published. The Draft Principles on Direct Broadcast Satellites, circulated by the U.S. delegation on March 12, are published in UN document A/AC.105/127, Annex IV.

Vol. E-12, Documents on East and Southeast Asia, 1973-1976

Thailand and Burma

• 380. Memorandum From the National Intelligence Officer for South and Southeast Asia at the Central Intelligence Agency (Christison) to the Director of Central Intelligence (Colby), Washington, March 8, 1974., Washington, March 8, 1974

  Christison forwarded guidelines for responding to a military coup in Thailand.
  
  Source: Central Intelligence Agency, OPI 122 (National Intelligence Council), Job 79R01099A, Box 11, Folder 7, Contingency Planning for a Possible Military Coup in Thailand. Secret. On the routing slip attached to the memorandum, an unknown hand wrote, “Excellent memo. Let’s hold it for possible use at a WSAG or elsewhere.”

Vol. E-15, Part 2, Documents on Western Europe, 1973-1976, Second, Revised Edition

Canada, 1973-1976

• 109. Minutes of Secretary of State Kissinger’s Staff Meeting, Washington, March 8, 1974, 3:10 p.m.

  Summary: Kissinger discussed U.S.-Canadian relations with his staff.
  
  Source: National Archives, RG 59, Transcripts of Secretary of State Kissinger’s Staff Meetings, 1973–1977, Entry 5177, Box 2, Secretary’s Analytic Staff Meeting, March 8, 1974. Secret. The meeting ended at 3:50 p.m. Attached but not published is a summary of Kissinger’s decisions at the meeting, as well as a full list of those in attendance. The paper referred to at the meeting is apparently an undated paper entitled “US-Canadian Relations: Alternate Strategies,” forwarded to Kissinger under cover of a February 22 memorandum from Lord and Hartman. (Ibid., Policy Planning Council, Policy Planning Staff, Director’s Files (Winston Lord), 1969–1977, Entry 5027, Box 345, Feb. 1974)

Portugal, 1973-1976

• 131. Memorandum From the Director of the Policy Planning Staff (Lord) to Secretary of State Kissinger, Washington, March 8, 1974

  Summary: Lord briefed Kissinger on the status of the Azores Base negotiations.
  
  Source: National Archives, RG 59, Policy Planning Council, Policy Planning Staff, Director’s Files (Winston Lord), 1969–1977, Entry 5027, Box 345, March 1974. Secret; Nodis. Drafted by Willard De Pree and Anton DePorte in S/P on March 7; cleared by Jack Smith in EUR/IB, PM, and L. Kissinger’s January 28 staff meeting was devoted to a discussion of the U.S. position in the Azores Base negotiations. (Ibid., Transcripts of Secretary of State Kissinger’s Staff Meetings, 1973–1977, Entry 5177, Box 2, Secretary’s Staff Meeting, January 28, 1974) In telegram 54891 to Lisbon, March 19, the Department reported that on March 18, Themido responded to Rush’s February 8 offer by suggesting that the U.S. and Portugal announce the failure of their negotiations. (Ibid., Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 701, Country Files, Europe, Portugal, Vol. II (1972–1974))

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-E2349 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-E2349-, President Nixon meets with advisors. 3/8/1974, Washington DC White House, Cabinet Room. President Nixon.

Roll WHPO-E2350 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-E2350-, Portraits of Bruce Herchensohn. 3/8/1974, unknown unknown.

Roll WHPO-E2351 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-E2351-, President Nixon holds a Cabinet Meeting to discuss the Middle East peace negotiations, the energy situation and campaign reform with members. 3/8/1974, Washington DC White House, Cabinet Room.

Roll WHPO-E2352 Photographer: GIRAUDIN | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-E2352-, President Nixon at the swearing in of Dean Burch. U.S. Supreme Court Justice William H. Rehnquist administered the oath of office. 3/8/1974, Washington DC White House.

Roll WHPO-E2353 Photographer: C | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-E2353-, President Nixon at the swearing in of Dean Burch. U.S. Supreme Court Justice William H. Rehnquist administered the oath of office. 3/8/1974, Washington DC White House.

Roll WHPO-E2354 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-E2354-, President Nixon and Pat Nixon supporters on the South Lawn during her departure ceremony flying via helicopter from the White House to Andrews AFB, Maryland, and then Key Biscayne, Florida. Signs reading Adio Ambassador Nixon. We Love You. 3/8/1974, Washington, D.C. White House, Exterior.
• Frame(s): WHPO-E2354-05A, Pat Nixon walks along line of supporters holding signs (signs read: "Hurry home We'll miss you", "Hasta Pronto See You Soon", and "Que Se Divierta Have a Good Time!") during her departure ceremony before flying to South America . 3/8/1974, Washington, D.C. White House, Exterior. Pat Nixon, unidentified supporters, crowd.
• Frame(s): WHPO-E2354-17A, President Nixon and Pat Nixon standing with supporters on the South Lawn during Pat's departure ceremony. (signs read: "Adios Ambassador Nixon!" and "We Love You". 3/8/1974, Washington, D.C. White House, South Lawn. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, unidentified supporters, crowd.

Roll WHPO-E2355 Photographer: GIRAUDIN | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-E2355-, Bicentennial presentation to Mrs. Anne Armstrong. 3/8/1974, unknown unknown.

Roll WHPO-E2356 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-E2356-, Mrs. George Shultz at reception for the National Federation of Business Women's club. 3/8/1974, Washington, D.C. White House, Blue Room.

Roll WHPO-E2357 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-E2357-02-10, President Nixon arrives and deboards Air Force One (AF1) and then boards the Air Force One helicopter. 3/8/1974, Florida Homestead Air Force Base (AFB). President Nixon.
• Frame(s): WHPO-E2357-05, President Nixon and an aide with a briefcase on his lap seated inside the presidential helicopter near a sliding doorway. Military aides stand nearby. 3/8/1974, Florida Homestead Air Force Base (AFB). President Nixon, unidentified 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.

P - Formal Presidential Remarks

• WHCA-SR-P-740305
  Live radio address on presidential campaign financing. (3/8/1974)
  
  Runtime: 14:50
  
  Keywords: Watergate
  
  Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.
• WHCA-SR-P-740306
  Swearing-in of Dean Burch as Counselor to the President. (3/8/1974)
  
  Runtime: 4:00
  
  Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.

S - White House Press Office Briefings (continuation of the L-series)

• WHCA-SR-S-514
  Press briefing by Senate Minority Leader Hugh Scott, Bryce Harlow, and Congressman Anderson. (3/8/1974, White House Press Lobby)
  
  Runtime: 1:02:00
  
  Keywords: Press conferences, news conferences, interviews, media
  
  Production credits: Audio feed supplied by WHCA; Recorded by __ (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-6823
  Ten O'clock News. President Nixon and Pearl Bailey spot at 18:13
  ALL NETWORKS
  Runtime: 01:05:19
• WHCA-6824
  "Open Mind".
  ALL NETWORKS
  Runtime: 01:00:32
• WHCA-6831
  Weekly News Summary, Tape IV.
  ALL NETWORKS
  Runtime: 00:55:25
  
  1. Reasoner/Jackson: Mitchell and Stans conspiracy trial. Time Code Start: 00:00. Keywords: cabinet, advisors, trials, obstruction of justice, perjury, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals. Network: ABC.
  
  2. Reasoner/Geer: Ehrlichman on film. Time Code Start: 02:15. Keywords: advisors, counsels, attorneys, lawyers, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals. Network: ABC.
  
  3. Reasoner/Jarriel: Campaign reform, Presidential counsellor Bryce Harlow. Time Code Start: 03:49. Keywords: Presidents, reforms, funding, financial aid, money, fundraising, Presidential elections, campaigns, campaigning. Network: ABC.
  
  4. Reasoner/Landay: White House duet with President Nixon. Time Code Start: 06:13. Keywords: Presidents,. Network: ABC.
  
  5. Chancellor/Levine: Unemployment and gasoline supplies. Time Code Start: 08:35. Keywords: energy, petroleum, oil, gasoline, fuel, shortages, rationing, natural resources, energy. Network: NBC.
  
  6. Chancellor: Impeachment inquiry with President Nixon and McCord statements. Time Code Start: 10:33. Keywords: Presidents, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, impeachment. Network: NBC.
  
  7. Chancellor: John Dean and President Nixon's situation. Time Code Start: 12:14. Keywords: Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals, impeachment, resignations. Network: NBC.
  
  8. Chancellor/Hagger: Mitchell and Stans conspiracy trial with Vesco. Time Code Start: 12:56. Keywords: cabinet, advisors, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, scandals, financiers, banking, investments, securities, frauds, stocks, Presidential elections, donations, contributions, gifts, money, funding. Network: NBC.
  
  9. Chancellor: Watergate and Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) with Helms. Time Code Start: 15:23. Keywords: Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals, national security, intelligence gathering, covert activities, spying, espionage. Network: NBC.
  
  10. Chancellor/Kiker: President Nixon's trip and radio message on campaign practices with Bryce Harlow. Time Code Start: 15:45. Keywords: Presidents, travel, trips, Nixon trips, domestic Nixon trips, domestic. Network: NBC.
  
  11. Chancellor/Brinkley's Journal: Congress will not to accept pay raise due to lack of confidence; citing Watergate, IRS scandal, gas lines, inflation. Time Code Start: 18:12. Keywords: House of Representatives, Congress, voting, economy, money, wages, wage freezes, Federal Government, employees, increase. Network: NBC.
  
  12. Chancellor: Dean Burch appointed. Time Code Start: 20:00. Keywords: Presidents, cabinet, advisors, nominations, appointments, confirmations. Network: NBC.
  
  13. Cronkite/Pierpoint: Campaign reforms and President Nixon's radio address. Time Code Start: 20:25. Keywords: Presidents, speeches, radio, broadcasts, reforms, funding, financial aid, money, fundraising, Presidential elections, campaigns, campaigning. Network: CBS.
  
  14. Cronkite/Shakne: Mitchell and Stans conspiracy trial. Time Code Start: 23:12. Keywords: cabinet, advisors, trials, obstruction of justice, perjury, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals. Network: CBS.
  
  15. Cronkite/Kelly: Mansfield and Representative Mills opinion of impeachment. Time Code Start: 24:45. Keywords: Presidents, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, impeachment. Network: CBS.
  
  16. Cronkite: McCord statement. Time Code Start: 26:45. Keywords: Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals. Network: CBS.
  
  17. Cronkite/Severaid: Commentary on future effects of Watergate and John Gardner's Common Cause. Time Code Start: 27:20. Keywords: Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, scandals, impeachment, resignations, prevention, reforms. Network: CBS.
  
  18. Cronkite: White House reaction to Representative Mills. Time Code Start: 30:00. Keywords: Presidents, statements, reactions. Network: CBS.
  
  19. Cronkite: White House duet with President Nixon and Peal Bailey. Time Code Start: 30:22. Keywords: Presidents, musicians, shows, singers, celebrities, women, African Americans, music, performance. Network: CBS.

• New York Times of March 8, 1974

• AP Images photos from March 8, 1974
• Getty Images photos from March 8, 1974

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 1974 Broadcast Index

Wikipedia is a free encyclopedia that anyone can edit.

• March 8, 1974