May 2, 1969

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.

Announcements

• Executive Interns (5 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 638, May 2, 1969)
  Announcement of New Program To Place Outstanding College and Graduate School Students in Federal Jobs During the Summer.

Appointments and Nominations

• Agency for International Development (5 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 639, May 2, 1969)
  Announcement of Intention To Nominate Bert M. Tollefson, Jr., as Assistant Administrator in Charge of Legislative and Public Affairs.
• Golden Spike Centennial Celebration Commission (5 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 639, May 2, 1969)
  Announcement of Appointment of J. William Henderson, Jr., as a Member.
• District of Columbia Court of Appeals (5 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 639, May 2, 1969)
  Announcement of Intention To Nominate Frank Q. Nebeker, To Be an Associate Judge.
• Arms Control and Disarmament Agency (5 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 642, May 2, 1969)
  Announcement of Intention To Appoint James F. Leonard, Jr., as Assistant Director for International Relations.
• Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization (5 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 642, May 2, 1969)
  Announcement of Appointment of Charles F. Butler as Representative of the United States on the Council.
• Department of the Treasury (5 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 643, May 2, 1969)
  Announcement of Intention To Nominate Murray Weidenbaum To Be Assistant Secretary for Economic Policy.

Congress, Communications to

• Obscene and Pornographic Materials (5 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 640, May 2, 1969)
  The President's Message to the Congress Proposing Legislation To Protect The Citrizen From Receipt of Offensive Materials.

Acts Approved by the President

• H.R. 3832 -- Public Law 91-11
  An Act to amend title 10, United States Code, to provide the grade of general for the Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps when the total active duty strength of the Marine Corps exceeds two hundred thousand.

Checklist of White House Press Releases

The releases listed below, made public by the Office of the White House Press Secretary during the period covered by this issue, are not included in the issue.

• Press conference of John W. Dean, III, Associate Deputy Attorney General, and David A. Nelson, General Counsel for the Post Office Department on the President's message on obscene and pornographic materials.

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 has accepted the resignation of Dennis L. McElroy as Chairman of the Federal Coal Mine Safety Board of Review, effective immediately.
• The President met with Gen. James Collins, President of the American Red Cross, and Roland Harriman, Chairman of the Board of Governors.
• Press conference of Charles B. Wilkinson and Jeffrey Donfeld on the Executive Intern program.

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.

• Special Message to the Congress on Obscene and Pornographic Materials.

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, May 2, 1969

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.

• President's Handwriting, Box 2, President's Handwriting, May 1969 [1 of 4]
  • Schedule; to The President re: Visit with Representatives of the American Red Cross, The White House, Friday, May 2, 1969. May 2, 1969. 1 pg.
  • Telephone Call Recommendation; Herbert G. Klein to The President re: Earl H. Richert - New Editor-in-Chief, Scripps-Howard Newspaper Alliance. May 2, 1969. 1 pg.
• Annotated News Summaries, Box 28, News Summaries - May 1969 [During this period, the Staff Secretary only removed pages from the News Summaries which contained President Nixon's handwriting, often leaving the document with no date. Although there are no specific documents with this date, you should also consult the full folder for the month.]
• President's Meetings File, Box 74, Memoranda for the President--Beginning April 27, 1969
  • John V. Brennan to The Record, Representatives and award winners from the President's Committee on Employment of the Handicapped. 5/2/1969, [not listed] [per President's Daily Diary]. 1 pg.
  • Bud Wilkinson to Alex Butterfield, President's Meeting with Mr. E. Roland Harriman and General James F. Collins of the American National Red Cross, May 2, 1969. 5/2/1969, 4:36 p.m. [per President's Daily Diary]. 2 pgs.
  • Alexander P. Butterfield to The Record, Board of Governors, American Red Cross. 5/2/1969, 4:36 p.m. [per President's Daily Diary]. 1 pg.

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)
  Friday, May 2. (in California)
  
  President called as I was shaving for Susie's party. Just wanted to chat. 11:00 EDT - asked about Yorty election and rambled on about student problems.
• Handwritten diary entry (JPG)

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 May 2, 1969
• Date search for May 2, 1969

All National Archives Units

• Text search for May 2, 1969
• Date search for May 2, 1969

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 02 May 1969

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

• 37. Memorandum From the Military Assistant (Haig) to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) , Washington, May 2, 1969

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Subject Files, Box 334, Items to Discuss with the President 2/5–7/14/1969. No classification marking.

Managing the Department of State

• 302. Memorandum From the Under Secretary of State (Richardson) to the Deputy Under Secretary of State for Administration (Rimestad) and all Assistant Secretaries and Bureau Chiefs , Washington, May 2, 1969

  Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, PER 1. No classification marking.

Vol. III, Foreign Economic Policy; International Monetary Policy, 1969-1972

International Monetary Policy, 1969-1972

• 123. Action Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon, Washington, May 2, 1969

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Agency Files, Box 289, Treasury, Volume 1. Secret. A stamped notation on the memorandum reads: “The President has seen,” and the President wrote: “Excellent analysis.”

Vol. XII, Soviet Union, January 1969-October 1970

Establishment of the Kissinger-Dobrynin Channel; Dialogue on the Middle East; and the Sino-Soviet Dispute, April 23-December 10, 1969

• 41. Memorandum From Harold Saunders of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) , Washington, May 2, 1969

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 653, Country Files, Middle East, Sisco Middle East Talks, April–June 1969. Secret; Nodis.

Vol. XXI, Chile, 1969-1973

A "Noisy Democracy": The Decline of Eduardo Frei, January-December 1969

• 8. Telegram From the Embassy in Chile to the Department of State, Santiago, May 2, 1969, 2355Z

  Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, INCO COPPER CHILE. Secret; Priority; Nodis.

Vol. XXVIII, Southern Africa

Regional Issues

• 7. Telegram From the Department of State to the Consulate General in Cape Town, Washington, May 2, 1969, 2141Z

  Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, POL 29 SW AFR. Confidential; Priority. Drafted by Runyon; cleared in AF, UNP, L, EUR/SCAN, and EUR/BMI; and approved by Crosby. Repeated to Pretoria, Helsinki, Lusaka, London, Stockholm, Geneva, Durban, and Johannesburg.

Vol. XXIX, Eastern Mediterranean, 1969-1972

Greece

• 248. Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs (Sisco) to the Acting Executive Secretary of the Department of State (Walsh) , Washington, May 2, 1969

  Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, POL 30–2 GREECE. Confidential. Drafted by Brewster and cleared by Handley.

Vol. E-2, Documents on Arms Control and Nonproliferation, 1969-1972

Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty; Implementation of Safeguard System

• 22. National Security Council Under Secretaries Committee Decision Memorandum 7 , Washington, May 2, 1969

  The memorandum listed the follow-up decisions on the NPT, including the issue of Soviet-U.S. simultaneous ratification and the status of other national positions on the NPT, which had been made at the NSC Under Secretaries Committee meeting on May 1.
  
  Source: Washington National Records Center, OSD Files: FRC 330–75–89, Atomic 388.3. Secret; Exdis.

Eighteen-Nation Disarmament Committee; Seabed Arms Control Treaty

• 94. Memorandum of Conversation Between the Director of the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency (Smith) and Secretary of State Rogers, Washington, May 2, 1969

  Smith and Rogers discussed the problems associated with Laird’s position concerning the proposed seabed treaty, specifically the potential future problems associated with Congressional approval of the agreement.
  
  Source: Washington National Records Center, Office of the Director, Chronological/Working Files of G. Smith and P. Farley: FRC 383–97–10, January 1962–April 1977, Smith Correspondence with Secretary of State Rogers concerning SALT, NPT and the Eighteen Nation Disarmament Committee (ENDC), February 1969–May 1970. Secret; Exdis.

Vol. E-10, Documents on American Republics, 1969-1972

Costa Rica

• 170. Telegram 69007 From the Department of State to the Embassies in Panama and Costa Rica, May 2, 1969, 2133Z. , May 2, 1969, 2133Z

  The Department of State reported on its May 2 conversation with Panamanian Ambassador Alemán regarding Costa Rican allegations that Panamanian National Guard forces had entered Costa Rican territory. Alemán, denied the allegations, but reported “shooting across the border both ways” on April 30, and indicated that a “bilateral solution” would be found.
  
  Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, POL 32–1 COSTA RICA–PAN. Confidential. Drafted on May 2 by Sanders (ARA/PAN); cleared by Breen and Ford; and approved by Sanders. It was repeated to USCINCSO.

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.

Chronological File, Box 1, Folder May 1-14, 1969 [1 of 2]

• 12:25 PM, Secy Rogers; Mr. Kissinger
• 12:55 PM, Donald Kendall; Mr. Kissinger
• 3:25 PM, Gov Rockefeller; Mr. Kissinger
• 3:55 PM, Donald Kendall; Mr. Kissinger
• 4:30 PM, Secy Laird; Mr. Kissinger
• 6:40 PM, Elliot Richardson; Mr. Kissinger
• 9:55 PM, Mr. Kissinger to Robert Semple, NY Times
• 10:10 PM, Secy Laird to Mr. Kissinger

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-0935 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-0935-04A-10A, Pat Nixon seated with Mrs. William Mather. 5/2/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Diplomatic Reception Room. Pat Nixon, Mrs. William Mather.

Roll WHPO-0936 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-0936-05-16, 30-32, President Nixon and Pat Nixon greeting White House visitors from the Asthma Research Center, including former patient Tom Gammino. 5/2/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Diplomatic Reception Room and Grounds. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Tom Gammino, unidentified people.
• Frame(s): WHPO-0936-11A, Pat Nixon greeting White House visitors from the Asthma Research Center, including former patient Tom Gammino. 5/2/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Diplomatic Reception Room and Grounds. Pat Nixon, Tom Gammino, unidentified people.
• Frame(s): WHPO-0936-17-29, Pat Nixon greeting White House visitors from the Asthma Research Center, including former patient Tom Gammino. 5/2/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Diplomatic Reception Room and Grounds. Pat Nixon, Tom Gammino, unidentified people.
• Frame(s): WHPO-0936-27A, President Nixon greeting White House visitors from the Asthma Research Center, including former patient Tom Gammino. 5/2/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Diplomatic Reception Room and Grounds. President Nixon, Tom Gammino, unidentified people.

Roll WHPO-0939 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-0939-03-13, President Nixon, Pat Nixon, and others with former asthma patient Tom Glammino. 5/2/1969, Washington, D.C. White House Grounds. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Tom Glammino, others.
• Frame(s): WHPO-0939-14-28, President Nixon and aides walking to the Treasury Department. 5/2/1969, Washington, D.C. White House grounds, Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. President Nixon, aides, Ziegler, crowd.
• Frame(s): WHPO-0939-18, President Nixon and aides walking to the Treasury Department. 5/2/1969, Washington, D.C. White House grounds, Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. President Nixon, aides, Ziegler, crowd.

Roll WHPO-0940 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-0940-03-06, President Nixon, Pat Nixon, and others with former asthma patient Tom Glammino. 5/2/1969, Washington, D.C. White House Grounds. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Tom Glammino, others.
• Frame(s): WHPO-0940-07-31, President Nixon and aides walking to the Treasury Department. 5/2/1969, Washington, D.C. White House Grounds, Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. President Nixon, aides, Ziegler, crowd.
• Frame(s): WHPO-0940-08A, President Nixon and aides walking to the Treasury Department. 5/2/1969, Washington, D.C. White House Grounds, Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. President Nixon, aides, Ziegler, crowd.

Roll WHPO-0945 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-0945-02-09, President Nixon and Michigan Representative Guy Vander Jagt meeting in the Rose Garden. 5/2/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Rose Garden. President Nixon, Guy Vander Jagt, dog King Timahoe.

Roll WHPO-0946 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-0946-02-25, Michigan Representative Guy Vander Jagt presenting President Nixon with gifts including a pair of decorated Dutch wooden shoes that have his name etched on. 5/2/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Guy Vander Jagt.
• Frame(s): WHPO-0946-13A, Michigan Representative Guy Vander Jagt presenting President Nixon with gifts including a pair of decorated Dutch wooden shoes on which his name is etched. 5/2/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Guy Vander Jagt.
• Frame(s): WHPO-0946-26-33, President Nixon holding decorated Dutch wooden shoes while standing with Michigan Representative Guy Vander Jagt. 5/2/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Rose Garden. President Nixon, Guy Vander Jagt.

Roll WHPO-0947 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-0947-01A-20A, President Nixon with William Mather and Mrs. Mather on White House grounds. 5/2/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Rose Garden. President Nixon, William Mather, Mrs. William Mather.
• Frame(s): WHPO-0947-21A-35A, President Nixon sitting with William Mather at Nixon's desk in the Oval Office. 5/2/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, William Mather, Mrs. William Mather.

Roll WHPO-0948 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-0948-02A-19A, President Nixon with his Irish Setter Dog King Timahoe, on White House Grounds with Michigan Representative Guy Vander Jagt. 5/2/1969, Washington, D.C. White House Grounds. President Nixon, Guy Vander Jagt, William Mather, Mrs. William Mather.
• Frame(s): WHPO-0948-20A-26A, President Nixon on White House Grounds alone. 5/2/1969, Washington, D.C. White House Grounds. President Nixon, Guy Vander Jagt, William Mather, Mrs. William Mather.
• Frame(s): WHPO-0948-25A, President Nixon standing alone in the White House Rose garden. 5/2/1969, Washington, D.C. White House Grounds. President Nixon.
• Frame(s): WHPO-0948-27A-30A, President Nixon on White House Grounds with William Mather and Mrs. Mather. 5/2/1969, Washington, D.C. White House Grounds. President Nixon, Guy Vander Jagt, William Mather, Mrs. William Mather.

Roll WHPO-0949 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-0949-03-10, President Nixon receiving a pair of wooden shoes with his name burned on and other items from Michigan Representative Guy Vander Jagt. 5/2/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Guy Vander Jagt.

Roll WHPO-0965 Photographer: Schuman | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-0965-, Copies of a picture of a reclining woman. 5/2/1969, unknown

Roll WHPO-1018 Photographer: Schuman | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-1018-, White House with tulips in the foreground, fountain in the middle ground. 5/2/1969, Washington, D.C. White House Grounds.

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.

G - Cabinet Officer Briefings

• WHCA-SR-G-022
  Remarks by Deputy Attorney General John Dean regarding pornography in the mail. Additional speakers: David Nelson and Bill Mallory. (5/2/1969, Roosevelt Room, The White House)
  
  Runtime: 40:00:00
  
  Keywords: pornography, sex, sexuality, sexual content
  
  Production credits: Audio feed supplied by ABC; No WHCA engineer initials listed
  
  Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.

H - White House Staff Member Recordings

• WHCA-SR-H-020
  Briefing by Bud Wilkinson and Jeffrey Donfeld on the Summer Youth Employment Program. (5/2/1969, Roosevelt Room, White House)
  
  Runtime: [N/A]
  
  Keywords: Briefings, public briefings, statements to the press (see also Press conferences, news conferences, interviews, media)
  
  Production credits: Audio feed supplied by ABC; Recorded by JFB (initials of WHCA engineer)
  
  Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.
• WHCA-SR-H-021
  Remarks of Henry Kissinger to the press. (5/2/1969, Roosevelt Room, White House)
  
  Runtime: 1:17:00
  
  Keywords: Press conferences, news conferences, interviews, media
  
  Production credits: Audio feed supplied by WHCA; Recorded by ADS (initials of WHCA engineer)
  
  Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.

P - Formal Presidential Remarks

• WHCA-SR-P-690501
  Telephone call to Eugene C. Pulliam and Chris Schenkel. (5/2/1969)
  
  Runtime: 2:36
  
  Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.

• LIFE magazine of May 2, 1969
• TIME magazine of May 2, 1969

• New York Times of May 2, 1969

• AP Images photos from May 2, 1969
• Getty Images photos from May 2, 1969

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.

• May 1969 Broadcast Index

Wikipedia is a free encyclopedia that anyone can edit.

• May 2, 1969