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May 2, 1973

Introduction

This almanac page for Wednesday, May 2, 1973, 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: Tuesday, May 1, 1973

Next Date: Thursday, May 3, 1973

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

  • 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. XXIX, Eastern Europe, 1969-1972

    General Policy

    • 27. National Security Decision Memorandum 212, Washington, May 2, 1973

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 365, Subject Files, National Security Decision Memoranda, Nos. 145–264. Confidential. Copies were sent to the Secretaries of the Treasury, Defense, Commerce, and Agriculture; the Director of Central Intelligence; the Special Representative for Trade Negotiations; and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Also issued as Council on International Economic Policy Decision Memorandum 17.

    Vol. XXXIII, SALT II, 1972-1980

    SALT II, 1972-1980

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

    Australia, New Zealand, ANZUS, Papua New Guinea

    • 30. Memorandum of Conversation, Washington, May 2, 1973, 5:40–6:35 p.m., Washington, May 2, 1973, 5:40-6:35 p.m.

      Kissinger and Wilenski discussed U.S.-Australian relations.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 504, Country Files, Far East, Australia, January 1972–December 31, 1973. Secret. The conversation took place in Kissinger’s Office at the White House. Kissinger’s talking points from Froebe, May 2, are ibid. Following the meeting, Kissinger instructed Rodman to send Nixon a proposal for a visit by Whitlam. (Memorandum from Rodman to Kissinger, May 3; ibid. [secret])

    Vol. E-15, Part 1, Documents on Eastern Europe, 1973-1976

    East Europe Regional

    • 8. National Security Decision Memorandum 212/Council on International Economic Policy Decision Memorandum 17, Washington, May 2, 1973., Washington, May 2, 1973

      President Nixon issued general guidelines for negotiations with Eastern Europe that linked greater trade liberalization to satisfactory improvements in bilateral political relations with each country.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 364, Subject Files, National Security Decision Memoranda (NSDMs), Nos. 145-264. Confidential. Copies were sent to the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary of Commerce, the Director of Central Intelligence, the Special Representative for Trade Negotiations, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The NSSM 163/CIEPSM 24 Study is Document 2.

  • 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

Context (External Sources)