Breadcrumb

May 16, 1969

Introduction

This almanac page for Friday, May 16, 1969, 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: Thursday, May 15, 1969

Next Date: Saturday, May 17, 1969

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 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.

    Appointments and Nominations

    Awards and Citations

    • Medal of Honor (5 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 703, May 16, 1969)
      Announcement of Ceremony for Presentation of Medal to CWO Frederick Edgar Ferguson and Sp4c Thomas James Kinsman of the United States Army.

    Letters, Memorandums, Etc.

    Proclamations

    Resignations and Retirements

    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 was presented with the billionth Bible of the American Bible Society by Edmund F. Wagner, president of the Society.
    • The President met with Dan Cohen, candidate for mayor of Minneapolis, Minn.
    • The President has accepted the resignation of Jack Beatty as a member of the Renegotiation Board, effective June 16.
    • David K. E. Bruce met with the President.

    Nominations Submitted to the Senate

    Does not include promotions of members of the Uniformed Services, nominations to the Service Academies, or nominations of Foreign Service Officers.

    • WILLIAM A. ANDERS, of California, to be Executive Secretary of the National Aeronautics and Space Council.
    • JOHN L. BOWERS, JR., of Tennessee, to be United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Tennessee for the term of four years vice John H. Reddy, retired.
    • WILLIAM R. BURKETT, of Oklahoma, to be United States Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma for the term of four years vice B. Andrew Potter.
    • WILLIAM L. OSTEEN, of North Carolina, to be United States Attorney for the Middle District of North Carolina for the term of four years vice William H. Murdock.
    • OTIS L. PACKWOOD, of Montana, to be United States Attorney for the District of Montana for the term of four years vice H. Moody Brickett, resigning.
    • GEORGE E. WOODS, JR., of Michigan, to be United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan for the term of four years vice Lawrence Gubow, resigned.
    • J. PAT MADRID, of Arizona, to be United States Marshal for the District of Arizona for the term of four years vice Roland S. Mosher.
    • JOHN C. MEISZNER, of Illinois, to be United States Marshal for the Northern District of Illinois for the term of four years vice Joseph N. Tierney, resigned.
    • FRED C. SINK, of North Carolina, to be United States Marshal for the Middle District of North Carolina for the term of four years vice E. Herman Burrows.
    • JOHN CONRAD CLARK, of North Carolina, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Export-Import Bank of the United States.
    • CHARLES H. ANDERSON, of Tennessee, to be United States Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee for the term of four years vice Gilbert S. Merritt, Jr., resigned.
  • 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.

  • 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. II, Organization and Management of U.S. Foreign Policy, 1969-1972

    The NSC System

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

    North Korean Shootdown of a U.S. Reconnaissance Flight and Contingency Planning, January-November 1969

    Vol. XXIX, Eastern Europe, 1969-1972

    Finland

    Vol. E-5, Part 1, Documents on Sub-Saharan Africa, 1969-1972

    Nigerian Civil War

    • 67. Aide Memoire From the Special Coordinator (Ferguson) , Washington, May 16, 1969

      Ferguson stated in a message to Major General Gowon, Chairman of the Supreme Military Council of Nigeria, that the crashed JCA C–97 plane would be replaced but the two additional C–97s were in abeyance during surface corridor discussions.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, POL 27–9 Biafra-Nigeria. Unclassified. A handwritten note states that the aide-mimoire was handed to the Nigerian ambassador on May 16.

    The Horn

    • 269. Telegram 78521 From the Department of State to the Embassy in Ethiopia , Washington, May 16, 1969

      The Department asked the Embassy to extend a Presidential invitation to Emperor Haile Selassie to make a state visit to Washington July 7–9. Themes of the visit would be current African developments and Ethiopiaʼs economic development.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, POL 7 ETH. Secret; Limdis. Drafted May 14 by M. Looram (AF/NE); cleared in draft by Palmer, J, AF/P, DOD/ISA, and S/CPR; cleared in S/S and and by the White House; and approved by Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Moore (AF). Repeated to Athens.

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

    India and Pakistan: Pre-Crisis, January 1969-February 1971

    • 20. Memorandum of Conversation , Washington, May 16, 1969

      President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs Kissinger discussed economic assistance for Pakistan with M.M. Ahmad, the principal economic adviser to President Yahya.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 623, Country Files, Middle East, Pakistan, Vol. I, 1 Jan 69–30 Nov 69. Confidential; Exdis. Drafted by Harold Saunders, and approved in S/S on June 1. The meeting was held in Kissinger’s office. A handwritten note on the memorandum reads: “version sent State.”

  • 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 of many of these transcripts can be found on the Yale University Library website.

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-1057 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-1057-02-10, President Nixon meeting with Dan Cohen, candidate for Mayor of Minneapolis.. 5/16/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Dan Cohen, Gayle Cohen, Sylvia Cohen.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1057-11-20, President Nixon with Dan Cohen, candidate for Mayor of Minneapolis, his wife, Gayle Cohen, and his mother, Sylvia Cohen. 5/16/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Dan Cohen, Gayle Cohen, Sylvia Cohen.

    Roll WHPO-1058 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-1058-02-03, Unidentified man working at a desk. 5/16/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. Unidentified man.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1058-04-13, President Nixon meeting with Dan Cohen. 5/16/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Dan Cohen, Gayle Cohen, Sylvia Cohen.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1058-14-32, President Nixon with Dan Cohen, candidate for Mayor of Minneapolis, his wife, Gayle Cohen, and his mother, Sylvia Cohen. 5/16/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Dan Cohen, Gayle Cohen, Sylvia Cohen.

    Roll WHPO-1061 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-1061-02-07, President Nixon standing in the Oval Office with his cousin Carleton Milhous. 5/16/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Carleton Milhous.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1061-05, President Nixon standing in the Oval Office with his cousin Carleton Milhous. 5/16/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Carleton Milhous.

    Roll WHPO-1062 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-1062-02A-09A, President Nixon with Senator John Sparkman, receiving a plaque. 5/16/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, John Sparkman, George Aiken.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1062-02A-09A, President Nixon with Sentaor Aiken of Vermont, receiving a book. 5/16/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, John Sparkman, George Aiken.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1062-08, President Nixon, with Senator John Sparkman, receiving a plaque that says, "Congratulations and Best Wishes Mr. President.". 5/16/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, John Sparkman.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1062-10A-12A, Kenneth BeLieu lighting a cigarette. 5/16/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. Kenneth BeLieu.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1062-18, President Nixon standing in the Oval Office with Sentaor Aiken of Vermont, receiving a book entitle "VERMONT: a special world.". 5/16/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, George Aiken.

    Roll WHPO-1063 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-1063-02-10, President Nixon receives the one billionth copy of the Scriptures published and distributed by the American Bible Society. 5/16/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Edmund Wagner, Sen. Claiborne Pell.

    Roll WHPO-1064 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-1064-02-13, President Nixon receives the one billionth copy of the Scriptures published and distributed by the American Bible Society. 5/16/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Edmund Wagner, Sen. Claiborne Pell.

    Roll WHPO-1080 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-1080-02-08, President Nixon receiving the one billionth copy of the Bible Scriptures published and distributed by the American Bible Society. 5/16/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Sen. Claiborne Pell, Edmund Wagner, unidentified others.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1080-09-16, President Nixon seated with Val Peterson, Ambassador to Finland. 5/16/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Rose Garden. President Nixon, Val Peterson.

    Roll WHPO-1081 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-1081-03-04, President Nixon standing with representatives of the American Bible Society. 5/16/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Sen. Claiborne Pell, Edmund Wagner, unidentified others.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1081-05-07, President Nixon walking with Val Peterson, Ambassador to Finland. 5/16/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Rose Garden. President Nixon, Val Peterson.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1081-08-25, President Nixon seated outdoors in the Rose Garden Whicker Chairs during a meeting with Val Peterson, Ambassador to Finland. 5/16/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Rose Garden. President Nixon, Val Peterson.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1081-13, President Nixon seated outdoors in the Rose Garden Whicker Chairs during a meeting with Val Peterson, Ambassador to Finland. 5/16/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Rose Garden. President Nixon, Val Peterson.

    Roll WHPO-1082 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-1082-02-05, 16, 20, President Nixon walking with Val Peterson, Ambassador to Finland. 5/16/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Rose Garden. President Nixon, Val Peterson.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1082-06-15, President Nixon sitting with Val Peterson, Ambassador to Finland. 5/16/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Rose Garden. President Nixon, Val Peterson.

    Roll WHPO-1083 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-1083-02-22, Pat Nixon greeting women from the YWCA International Training Institute. 5/16/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, State Dining Room. Pat Nixon, unidentified women, unidentified musician.

    Roll WHPO-1084 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-1084-03-05, 08-12, Pat Nixon greeting women from the YWCA International Training Institute. 5/16/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, State Dining Room. Pat Nixon, unidentified women, Wilhelmina Saiti.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1084-06-07, Pat Nixon greeting Mrs. Wilhelmina Saiti. 5/16/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, State Dining Room. Pat Nixon, unidentified women, Wilhelmina Saiti.

Context (External Sources)