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May 1, 1972

Introduction

This almanac page for Monday, May 1, 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: Sunday, April 30, 1972

Next Date: Tuesday, May 2, 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 Picosa Ranch, Floresville, Texas

  • 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.

    No Federal Register published on this date

  • 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. VIII, Vietnam, January-October 1972

    The Easter Offensive, March 30-May 7, 1972

    • 104. Transcript of a Telephone Conversation Between President Nixon and the President’s Deputy Assistant for National Security Affairs (Haig), May 1, 1972, 8:40 a.m.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 998, Alexander M. Haig Chronological Files, Haig Telcons 1972 [2 of 2]. No classification marking. The President was in Floresville, Texas, visiting Connally; Haig was in Washington. (Ibid., White House Central Files, President’s Daily Diary) All blank underscores are omissions in the original.

    • 105. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon, Washington, May 1, 1972

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 130, Vietnam Subject Files, HAK/Pres Memos (NVA) Situation in Vietnam (May 72). Top Secret; Sensitive. A stamped notation on the memorandum indicates that the President saw it. Haig initialed for Kissinger.

    • 106. Memorandum From Winston Lord of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), Washington, May 1, 1972

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Records of the Policy Planning Staff, Director’s Files, 1966–1977: Lot 77 D 112, Box 334, Winston Lord—Chron September 1970. Secret; Sensitive; Eyes Only. Sent for information. A handwritten notation reads: “Seen by HAK, 5/2/72.”

    • 107. Minutes of a Washington Special Actions Group Meeting, Washington, May 1, 1972, 11:03-11:36 a.m.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–116, Washington Special Actions Group, WSAG Minutes (Originals) 1–3–72 to 7–24–72. Top Secret; Sensitive. The meeting took place in the White House Situation Room. All brackets are in the original.

    • 108. Paper Prepared in the Department of Defense, Washington, May 1, 1972

      Source: Washington National Records Center, OSD Files: FRC 330–77–0094, 385, Viet (May 1–15, 1972). No classification marking. Secretary Laird probably saw this point paper since documents on Vietnam generally and routinely crossed his desk. Moreover, the three handwritten sentences referred to in footnotes 2, 3, and 4 are in the hand of Laird’s military assistant, Major General Pursley. A key adviser to Laird on the war in Southeast Asia, Pursley drafted many of the Secretary’s important memoranda and correspondence on Vietnam. Therefore, it is likely that he drafted the paper (or supervised its drafting) and that Laird saw it. All brackets are in the original.

    Vol. XIV, Soviet Union, October 1971-May 1972

    Summit in the Balance: U.S.-Soviet Relations and the Decision to Mine Haiphong, April 26-May 12, 1972

    Vol. XIX, Part 1, Korea, 1969-1972

    Republic of Korea Troops in Vietnam and Force Modernization, April 1971-December 1972

    Vol. XXXII, SALT I, 1969-1972

    Kissinger's Secret Trip to Moscow and Aftermath, April 19-May 17, 1972

    Vol. XL, Germany and Berlin, 1969-1972

    Germany and Berlin, 1969-1972

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

    Oceans Policy

    • 427. Circular Airgram A-4339 From the Department of State to All Diplomatic Posts, Washington, May 1, 1972, 1028Z

      The Department updated posts about Law of the Sea negotiations, instructed posts to promote U.S. positions with host governments, and requested information about host government attitudes.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970-73, POL 33-8. Limited Official Use. Repeated to USNATO, Geneva, OECD, and USUN, CINCPAC for POLAD, and CINCEUR for POLAD. Drafted by McIntyre and Otto Eskin (IO/UNP) on April 28; cleared in draft in IO, EUR/CAN, NEA/RA, AF, L/OA, S/FW, ARA, EA/RA, Defense, Commerce, NOAA, and Interior; and approved by Stevenson.

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

    Iran 1972

    • 180. Intelligence Report 2035–72, Washington, May 1, 1972

      The CIA’s Directorate of Intelligence analyzed the current political structure of Iran.

      Source: Central Intelligence Agency, OCI Files, Job 79T00832A, Box 9, 46. Secret; No Foreign Dissem. Prepared in the Office of Current Intelligence and coordinated within CIA.

    • 181. Intelligence Memorandum ER IM 72–79, Washington, May 1, 1972

      The CIA’s Directorate of Intelligence examined the recent trends in Iranian arms procurement, particularly Tehran’s sources of supply.

      Source: Central Intelligence Agency, ORR Files (OTI), Job 79T00935A, Box 70, Project 35.6402, CIA/ER IM 72–79. Secret; No Foreign Dissem. The memorandum was prepared by the Office of Economic Research and coordinated within the Directorate of Intelligence.

    • 182. Telegram 2488 From the Embassy in Iran to the Department of State, Tehran, May 1, 1972, 0907Z

      In preparation for the President’s visit, the Embassy transmitted a summary of the current conditions in Iran.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 7 US/NIXON. Secret; Exdis. The first message in the series on the Presidential visit, Telegram 2440 from Tehran, April 28, dealt with logistical issues and is not published. (Ibid.)

  • 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

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

    Cabinet Room

    Old Executive Office Building

    Oval Office

    White House Telephone

  • 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-8976 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-8976-, An unidentified family of visitors to the White House . 5/1/1972, Washington, D.C. White House, Rose Garden. unidentified family.

    Roll WHPO-8977 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-8977-, John Nidecker receiving a gift presentation. 5/1/1972, Washington, D.C. White House, East Room. John Nidecker, unidentified persons.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8977-07-08, John Nidecker receives a gift presentation (painting of cowboy figure) with Mr. & Mrs. Joe Grundee, Mr. & Mrs. Stetler, Mr. & Mrs. Bob Mitchell, Bob Yeates, and Richard J. Agrich present. 5/1/1972, Washington, D.C. White House, East Room. John Nidecker, Gift, Presentation, Joe Grundee, Stetler, Bob Mitchell, Bob Yeates, Richard Agrich.

    Roll WHPO-8987 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-8987-01A-05A, Mike Farrell and an unidentified man holding framed pictures. 5/1/1972, Washington, D.C. White House, South Lawn. Mike Farrell, unidentified man.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8987-06A-09A, Shots of the South Lawn, fountain, and White House. 5/1/1972, Washington, D.C. White House, South Lawn. Mike Farrell, unidentified man.

    Roll WHPO-8988 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-8988-02, President Nixon and others deplaning. 5/1/1972, Andrews AFB, Maryland tarmac, Andrews AFB. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Haldeman, unidentified men.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8988-03-14, Henry Cashen with unidentified men, one of whom is holding a football. 5/1/1972, Washington, D.C. unknown. Henry Cashen, unidentified men.

    Roll WHPO-8989 Photographer: Schumaker, Byron | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-8989-, Tricia Nixon Cox with 1972 Hearing Poster Child Michael Hoerner seated in the Red Room playing with the Nixon family dog Yorkshire Terrier Pasha. 5/1/1972, Washington, D.C. Red Room, White House. Tricia Nixon Cox, Michael Hoerner, Hoerner family members, Pasha.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8989-07, Tricia Nixon Cox with 1972 Hearing Poster Child Michael Hoerner seated in the Red Room playing with the Nixon family dog Yorkshire Terrier Pasha. 5/1/1972, Washington, D.C. Red Room, White House. Tricia Nixon Cox, Michael Hoerner, Pasha.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8989-09, Tricia Nixon Cox with 1972 Hearing Poster Child Michael Hoerner seated in the Red Room playing with the Nixon family dog Yorkshire Terrier Pasha. 5/1/1972, Washington, D.C. Red Room, White House. Tricia Nixon Cox, Michael Hoerner, Pasha.

    Roll WHPO-8990 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-8990-, President Nixon standing with White House secretaries during National Secretaries Week. 5/1/1972, Washington, D.C. White House, Rose Garden. President Nixon, Rose Mary Woods, secretaries.

    Roll WHPO-8991 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-8991-03-20, President Nixon standing with White House secretaries. 5/1/1972, Washington, D.C. White House, Rose Garden. President Nixon, Gerard C. Smith, William Rogers, Melvin Laird, Admiral Thomas H. Moorer, Richard Helms, Lt. General Royal B. Allison, Henry Kissinger, Ronald Ziegler.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8991-21-32, President Nixon at a meeting concerning the SALT talks. 5/1/1972, Washington, D.C. White House, Cabinet Room. President Nixon, Gerard C. Smith, William Rogers, Melvin Laird, Admiral Thomas H. Moorer, Richard Helms, Lt. General Royal B. Allison, Henry Kissinger, Ronald Ziegler.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8991-32, President Nixon at a meeting concerning the SALT talks. 5/1/1972, Washington, D.C. White House, Cabinet Room. President Nixon, Gerard C. Smith, William Rogers, Melvin Laird, Admiral Thomas H. Moorer, Richard Helms, Lt. General Royal B. Allison, Henry Kissinger, Ronald Ziegler.

    Roll WHPO-8992 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-8992-, Pat Nixon with United Way officials. Pat Nixon on the dais, receiving gifts and speaking to the guests. 5/1/1972, Washington, D.C. Potomac Lounge, Park Ballroom, Sheraton Park Hotel. Pat Nixon, Bayard Ewing, Charles Adams, United Way officials.

    Roll WHPO-8993 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-8993-05-14, President and Pat Nixon with members of the Connally family and walking outside. 5/1/1972, Floresville, Texas ranch house, grounds, La Picosa Ranch. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Connally, Nellie Connally, Mark Connally, Mr. & Mrs. Robert Amman, Mr. & Mrs. John Connally, III, Katie Brill.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-8993-15, President Nixon shaking hands with an unidentified man prior to emplaning. 5/1/1972, Randolph AFB, Texas tarmac, Randolph AFB. President Nixon, unidentified men.

    Roll WHPO-8998 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-8998-, President & Pat Nixon leaving a helicopter. Nixon climbing the stairway up to his plane. 5/1/1972, Randolph AFB, Texas tarmac, Randolph AFB. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, staff, unidentified persons.

    Roll WHPO-9009 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-9009-02-10, "Spirit of '76" arriving and the Nixons deplaning. 5/1/1972, Andrews AFB, Maryland runway, tarmac, Andrews AFB. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, staffer.

  • 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-123
      Remarks by Pat Nixon at United Way Campaign dinner at the Sheraton Park Hotel. (5/1/1972, Sheraton Park Hotel, Washington, D.C.)

      Runtime: 0.045138889

      Production credits: Audio feed supplied by Hotel; 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-5319
      "Panorama".
      NPACT
      Runtime: 01:29:58
    • WHCA-5320
      "Martin Agronsky: Evening Edition". Mr. Agronsky and guests discuss the Pentagon Papers
      Eastern Educational Network
      Runtime: 00:30:51
    • WHCA-5335
      Weekly News Summary, Tape II.
      ALL NETWORKS
      Runtime: 1:30

      1. Smith/Pearson/Bennett: Vietnam. Time Code Start: 00:00. Keywords: South Vietnam, Presidents, travel, trips. Network: ABC.

      2. Smith/Matney/Donaldson/Bell: Ohio and Indiana primaries (Senators McGovern and Humphrey, Governor George Wallace). Time Code Start: 03:36. Keywords: Senators, Governors, Presidential elections, campaigns, primaries, candidates. Network: ABC.

      3. Smith: SALT talks [Strategic Arms Limitation Talks]. Time Code Start: 08:37. Keywords: SALT, S.A.L.T., Strategic Arms Limitation Talks, Russia, Soviet Union, USSR, Cold War, détente. Network: ABC.

      4. Smith/Gerr: Some wage/price controls lifted (Rumsfeld). Time Code Start: 09:40. Keywords: wage and price controls, freezes, prices, costs, increases, decreases, economy, economics, budgets, finances, recession, inflation, money, ending. Network: ABC.

      5. Smith: Commentary on Muskie. Time Code Start: 11:30. Keywords: Senators, Presidential elections, campaigns, campaigning, candidates. Network: ABC.

      6. Chancellor/North/Paxton: Vietnam; Quang Tri falls; Hue in jeopardy. Time Code Start: 13:05. Keywords: Vietnam War. Network: NBC.

      7. Chancellor: SALT talks going well [Strategic Arms Limitation Talks]. Time Code Start: 17:48. Keywords: SALT, S.A.L.T., Strategic Arms Limitation Talks, Russia, Soviet Union, USSR, Cold War, détente. Network: NBC.

      8. Chancellor/Valeriani: President Nixon in Texas. Time Code Start: 18:23. Keywords: Presidents, travel, trips, Nixon trips, domestic. Network: NBC.

      9. Chancellor/Levine: CCL council exempts small business from Phase II. Time Code Start: 19:55. Keywords: wage and price controls, freezes, prices, costs, increases, decreases, economy, economics, budgets, finances, recession, inflation, money. Network: NBC.

      10. Chancellor/Bell: Governor George Wallace in Alabama. Time Code Start: 22:22. Keywords: Senators, Governors, Presidential elections, campaigns, primaries, candidates. Network: NBC.

      11. Chancellor/Mackin: Ohio; McGovern, Humphrey. Time Code Start: 25:25. Keywords: Presidential elections, campaigns, campaigning, primaries, candidates, voting, speeches. Network: NBC.

      12. Cronkite/Simon: Vietnam; Quang Tri falls. Time Code Start: 29:01. Keywords: Vietnam War. Network: CBS.

      13. Cronkite/Kalb: Paris Peace Talks ; Livingston (Distributive Workers of America) comments on Kissinger's Vietnam coalition government idea; SALT may get substantive [Strategic Arms Limitation Talks]. Time Code Start: 34:21. Keywords: SALT, S.A.L.T., Strategic Arms Limitation Talks, Russia, Soviet Union, USSR, Cold War, détente, Paris Peace Talks, Vietnam War, treaty, treaties, negotiations, government, officials, endings. Network: CBS.

      14. Cronkite/Schorr: Cost of living Council lets small business go free (Rumsfeld). Time Code Start: 37:08. Keywords: economy, economics, budgets, finances, recession, inflation, money, wages, costs, unemployment, prices, reports, cabinet, advisors, Presidents. Network: CBS.

      15. Cronkite/Walker: Primaries; Jackson and Ohio. Time Code Start: 39:24. Keywords: Presidential elections, campaigns, campaigning, candidates, primaries, voting. Network: CBS.

Context (External Sources)