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May 16, 1974

Introduction

This almanac page for Thursday, May 16, 1974, 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: Wednesday, May 15, 1974

Next Date: Friday, May 17, 1974

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.

    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.

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

Archival Holdings

Any selection of archival documents will necessarily be partial. You should use the documents and folders identified below as a starting place, but consult the linked collection finding aids and folder title lists and the collections themselves for context. Many documents to be found this way do not lend themselves to association with specific dates, but are essential to a complete understanding of the material.

  • 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.

  • 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. X, Vietnam, January 1973-July 1975

    Congressional Restrictions, General Warfare, June 19, 1973-February 25, 1975

    Vol. XXVI, Arab-Israeli Dispute, 1974-1976

    Syrian-Israeli Disengagement Agreement, January-May 1974

    Vol. E-14, Part 2, Documents on Arms Control and Nonproliferation, 1973-1976

    • 45. Memorandum From Michael Guhin of the National Security Council Staff to Secretary of State Kissinger, Washington, May 16, 1974

      Summary: Guhin sent Kissinger a summary of the action program prepared by the NSC Under Secretaries Committee regarding on the supply of highly enriched uranium to foreign countries for nuclear power reactors, noting that the Committee had requested that President Nixon approve its recommendations.

      Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, NSC Program Analysis Staff Files, Convenience Files, Box 32, Security Aspects of Growth and Dissemination of Nuclear Power Industries (3). Secret. Sent for action. Sent through Elliott, who did not initial the memorandum. Notations on the memorandum in an unknown hand indicate that copies were sent for information to both Lodal and Boverie. Kissinger signed NSDM 255 on June 3; see Document 53. Tabs 1 and A are attached but not printed; the final version of Tab 1 is Document 51. Tab B is Document 39 and Tab C is Document 31. Tab D, NSDM 235, is Document 18.

  • 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-E2800 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2800-05-14, President Nixon met with Major General James D. Hughes, former Military Aide to the President and Commander of the 9th Tactical Air Command, Shaw AFB, South Carolina. The President nominated Maj. Gen. Hughes for a promotion to lieutenant general in the U.S. Air Force. 5/16/1974, Washington, D.C. Oval Office. President Nixon and Maj. Gen. James D. Hughes.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2800-11A, General James Hughes speaks with Pat Nixon and Tricia Nixon outside the Presidential Helicopter while President Nixon stands nearby in the background. 5/16/1974, Washington, D.C. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Tricia Nixon, Maj. Gen. James D. Hughes.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2800-14A, President Nixon shaking hands with General James Hughes outside the Presidential helicopter on the White House South Grounds. 5/16/1974, Washington, D.C. White House, South Grounds. President Nixon, Tricia Nixon, Maj. Gen. James D. Hughes.

  • 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.

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

    • WHCA-SR-S-597
      Junior High Quiz from Pittsburgh, in the Family Theater. (5/16/1974, Family Theater)

      Runtime: 32:00:00

      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.
    • WHCA-SR-S-598
      Press briefing by Gerald Warren. (5/16/1974, White House Press Lobby)

      Runtime: 39:58:00

      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.
    • WHCA-SR-S-599
      White House/PRSA meeting on energy with Secretary of the Interior Rogers Morton, Claude Brinegar, Dr. Ray, Federick Dent, Messrs. Linbaugh, Kelly, and Sawhill. (5/16/1974, EOB Conference Room (450))

      Runtime: 2:15:00

      Keywords: meetings

      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.
    • WHCA-SR-S-600
      Men's White House prayer meeting. (5/16/1974, Family Theater)

      Runtime: 36:56:00

      Keywords: Church service, worship service, prayer service, religion

      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-6947
      "Martin Agronsky: Evening Edition". James McCord.
      ABC
      Runtime: 0:30
    • WHCA-6953
      Weekly News Summary, Tape II.
      ALL NETWORKS
      Runtime: 01:28:47

      12. Reasoner/Schoumacher: Kleindienst guilty with Watergate case Special Prosecutor Jaworski. Time Code Start: 22:22. Keywords: law officials, attorneys, lawyers, appointments, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals. Network: ABC.

      13. Reasoner/Donaldson: Judiciary Committee with President Nixon's attorney St. Clair. Time Code Start: 25:20. Keywords: Senate committee hearings, Watergate, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals, impeachment, resignations. Network: ABC.

      14. Reasoner: Commentary on inflation. Time Code Start: 28:30. Keywords: economy, economics, budgets, finances, money, wages, costs, unemployment, prices. Network: ABC.

      15. Chancellor/Palmer/Surrington: Israel retaliates, the victims, effects Secretary of State Kissinger's mission. Time Code Start: 30:00. Keywords: Mideast, Middle East, Israeli, leaders, cabinet, advisors, travel, trips, meetings, ceasefires, truces, treaty, treaties, negotiations. Network: NBC.

      16. Chancellor/Stern: Kleindienst pleads guilty with Watergate case Special Prosecutor Jaworski. Time Code Start: 38:40. Keywords: law officials, attorneys, lawyers, appointments, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals. Network: NBC.

      17. Chancellor: Watergate case Special Prosecutor Jaworski statement on Ellsberg break-in. Time Code Start: 40:12. Keywords: law officials, attorneys, lawyers, appointments, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals. Network: NBC.

      18. Chancellor/Scherer/Brokaw: Washington Post story with President Nixon's attorney St. Clair, Representative Mezvinsky and Dean Burch, FCC Chairman. Time Code Start: 41:17. Keywords: newspapers, editorials, accusations, reports, Federal Communications Commission, executives, leaders, Watergate, burglary, impeachment, resignations, investigations. Network: NBC.

      19. Chancellor: Kilpatrick inteview with President Nixon. Time Code Start: 44:47. Keywords: Presidents,. Network: NBC.

      20. Cronkite/Graham: Kleindienst pleads guilty with Watergate case Special Prosecutor Jaworski. Time Code Start: 46:32. Keywords: law officials, attorneys, lawyers, appointments, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals. Network: CBS.

      21. Cronkite/Morton: Committee leak, with President Nixon's attorney St. Clair and Representatives Peter Rodino and Mezvinsky. Time Code Start: 49:21. Keywords: Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals, impeachment, resignations. Network: CBS.

      22. Cronkite/Chung: Washington Post story with Burch. Time Code Start: 51:32. Keywords: newspapers, editorials, stories, accusations, reports, Federal Communications Commission, executives, Watergate, burglary, impeachment, resignations, investigations, White House, administration, officials, staff. Network: CBS.

      23. Cronkite/Pierpoint: Kilpatrick interview with President Nixon with Kilpatrick. Time Code Start: 53:40. Keywords: Presidents, media, interviews. Network: CBS.

      24. Cronkite/Sevareid: Commentary on school desegregation. Time Code Start: 56:00. Keywords: desegregation, racism, racial profiling, racial discrimination, civil rights, African Americans, schools, students. Network: CBS.

Context (External Sources)