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May 21, 1974

Introduction

This almanac page for Tuesday, May 21, 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: Monday, May 20, 1974

Next Date: Wednesday, May 22, 1974

Schedule and Public Documents

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. XXVI, Arab-Israeli Dispute, 1974-1976

    Syrian-Israeli Disengagement Agreement, January-May 1974

    Vol. E-3, Documents on Global Issues, 1973-1976

    Drug Control, 1973-1976

    • 158. Airgram A–4096 From the Department of State to Multiple Posts, Washington, May 21, 1974

      The Airgram forwarded the report of the U.S. delegation to the Third Special Session of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files, P740051–1948. Unclassified. Sent to Accra, Algiers, Ankara, Athens, Baghdad, Bangkok, Beirut, Belgrade, Bern, Bonn, Brasilia, Brussels, Bucharest, Budapest, Buenos Aires, Cairo, Canberra, Colombo, Copenhagen, Geneva, Helsinki, Islamabad, Jakarta, Kabul, Kathmandu, Kingston, Kuala Lumpur, Kuwait, Lagos, La Paz, Lima, Lome, London, Madrid, Manila, Mexico, Montevideo, Moscow, Nairobi, Ndjamena, New Delhi, Oslo, Ottawa, Panama, Paris, Phnom Penh, Prague, Pretoria, Rabat, Rangoon, Rome, Saigon, Santiago, Santo Domingo, Seoul, Singapore, Sofia, Stockholm, The Hague, Tunis, Vienna, Peking, Vientiane, Tehran, Tokyo, Warsaw, Wellington, USUN, Tripoli, Asuncion, Bogota, Bridgetown, Caracas, Curacao, Nassau, Quito, Hong Kong, Amman, and Tel Aviv. Drafted by Cavanaugh; cleared in S/NM; and approved by Vance. The appendices were not found.

    Vol. E-9, Documents on North Africa, 1973-1976

    Algeria, 1973-1976

    • 2. Telegram 828/Secto 574 From the Interests Section in Syria to the Interests Section in Algeria, Damascus, May 21, 1974, 1448Z

      Summary: Kissinger instructed William L. Eagleton, Jr., to not raise the issue of renewal of diplomatic relations with the Algerians.

      Source: Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Kissinger Papers, Box CL 101, Geopolitical File, Algeria, April–May 1974. Secret; Cherokee; Immediate; Nodis. Repeated to Washington. Syria and Algeria severed diplomatic ties with the United States on June 6, 1967. A U.S. Interests Section was established in the Italian Embassy in Damascus, and a U.S. Interests Section was established in the Swiss Embassy in Algiers. Eagleton served as Principal Officer in Algeria from December 1969 to July 1974. Kissinger was in Damascus to negotiate a disengagement agreement between Israel and Syria.

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

    Japan

    • 189. Memorandum of Conversation, Washington, May 21, 1974, noon., Washington, May 21, 1974, noon

      Nixon and Ohira discussed the U.S.-Japan alliance, the Middle East, Sino-Soviet relations, Siberian development, and India’s nuclear test.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 1029, Presidential/HAK Memcons, 1 June 1974– [8 August 1974] [3 of 3]. Secret; Sensitive. The conversation took place in the Oval Office. On May 14, Yasukawa sent Nixon a memorandum stating the Government of Japan’s position regarding Siberian development. (Ibid., Box 1337, NSC Unfiled Material, 1974, 1 of 9) Springsteen suggested that no response to the Japanese memorandum was necessary, but recommended that Nixon refer to it during his May 21 meeting with Ohira. (Memorandum from Springsteen to Scowcroft, May 17; 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

  • 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-E2807 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2807-01-12, President Nixon seated informally in the Oval Office during a meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs Masayoshi Ōhira of Japan, Japanese Ambassador to U.S. Takeshi Yasukawa, Yoshio Okawara and Japanese Foreign Ministry Maj. Gen. Scowcroft. 5/21/1974, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Masayoshi Ōhira, Foreign Minister of Japan; Takeshi Yasukawa, Ambassador from Japan to the U.S.; Yoshio Okawara, Director General for American Affairs, Japanese Foreign Ministry; Maj. Gen. Scowcro, Sadaaki Numata, Japanese interpreter Manabu Fukuda, State Department interpreter.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2807-04A, President Nixon seated informally in the Oval Office during a meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs Masayoshi Ōhira of Japan, Japanese Ambassador to U.S. Takeshi Yasukawa (not in frame) , Yoshio Okawara, Director General for American Affairs, Japanese Foreign Ministry, Maj. Gen. Scowcroft. 5/21/1974, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Masayoshi Ōhira, Foreign Minister of Japan; Maj. Gen. Brent Scowcroft; 2 of 4: Takeshi Yasukawa, Ambassador from Japan to the U.S.; Yoshio Okawara, Director General for American Affairs, Japanese Foreign Ministry; Sadaaki Numata, Japanese interpreter, Manabu Fukuda, State Department interpreter.

    Roll WHPO-E2808 Photographer: FITZPATRICK | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2808-03-18, President Nixon seated informally in the Oval Office during a meeting with NATO Secretary General Joseph Luns and Jorg Kastl (Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs of NATO). 5/21/1974, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Joseph M.A.H. Luns, Secretary General of the North, Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO); Jorg Kastl, Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs of NATO, Helmut Sonnenfeldt, Counselor, Department of State; Maj. Gen. Scowcroft, Members of the press.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2808-08, President Nixon seated informally in the Oval Office during a meeting with NATO Secretary General Joseph Luns, Jorg Kastl (Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs of NATO) and present but unseen in photo, Helmut Sonnenfeldt (Department of State Counselor) and Maj. Gen. Scowcroft. 5/21/1974, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Joseph M.A.H. Luns, Secretary General of the North, Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO); Jorg Kastl, Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs of NATO.

    Roll WHPO-E2809 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2809-03-07, The White House Fellows. 5/21/1974, Washington, D.C. White House.

    Roll WHPO-E2810 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2810-02-10, President Nixon seated informally in the Oval Office during a meeting with NATO Secretary General Joseph Luns, Jorg Kastl (Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs of NATO) and present but unseen in photo, Helmut Sonnenfeldt (Department of State Counselor) and Maj. Gen. Scowcroft. 5/21/1974, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office.

    Roll WHPO-E2811 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2811-02-22, President Nixon seated. 5/21/1974, Washington, D.C.

    Roll WHPO-E2812 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2812-01A-14A, President Nixon seated informally in the Oval Office during a meeting with NATO Secretary General Joseph Luns, Jorg Kastl (Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs of NATO) and present but unseen in photo, Helmut Sonnenfeldt (Department of State Counselor) and Maj. Gen. Scowcroft. 5/21/1974, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Joseph M.A.H. Luns, Secretary General of the North, Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO); Jorg Kastl, Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs of NATO, Helmut Sonnenfeldt, Counselor, Department of State; Maj. Gen. Scowcroft, members of the press.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2812-06, President Nixon seated informally in the Oval Office during a meeting with NATO Secretary General Joseph Luns, Jorg Kastl (Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs of NATO) and present but unseen in photo, Helmut Sonnenfeldt (Department of State Counselor) and Maj. Gen. Scowcroft. 5/21/1974, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Joseph M.A.H. Luns, Secretary General of the North, Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO); Jorg Kastl, Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs of NATO.

  • 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.

    K - Informal Presidential Remarks

    • WHCA-SR-K-188
      Photo opportunity with For. Min. Ohira of Japan-Oval Office. (5/21/1974)

      Runtime: 1:20

      Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.
    • WHCA-SR-K-189
      Photo opportunity with Joseph Luns-Oval Office. (5/21/1974)

      Runtime: 1:23

      Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.

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

    • WHCA-SR-S-602
      Press briefing by Gerald Warren. (5/21/1974, White House Press Lobby)

      Runtime: 37:15:00

      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.

  • 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-6956
      "ABC Evening News" AND "Martin Agronsky: Evening Edition". Impeachment James McCord.
      NBC
      Runtime: 00:59:45
    • WHCA-6963
      "Weekly News Summary", Tape I.
      ALL NETWORKS
      Runtime: 1:30

      11. Smith/Clark: Watergate case Special Prosecutor Jaworski gets help from committee, with President Nixon's attorney St. Clair. Time Code Start: 25:18. Keywords: law officials, attorneys, lawyers, appointments, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals. Network: ABC.

      12. Smith/Donaldson: Judiciary Committee listens to tapes. Time Code Start: 27:36. Keywords: law officials, attorneys, lawyers, bugging, bugs, wiretapping, wire taps, surveillance, spying, recordings, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, scandals. Network: ABC.

      13. Reasoner/Schoumacher: Jeb Magruder sentenced. Time Code Start: 29:53. Keywords: bugging, bugs, wiretapping, wire taps, surveillance, spying, recordings, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals, impeachment, resignations. Network: ABC.

      14. Reasoner/Peterson: Cost of living increasing. Time Code Start: 31:56. Keywords: economy, economics, budgets, finances, recession, inflation, money, wages, costs, unemployment, prices, reports. Network: ABC.

      15. Reasoner: Commentary on proliferation of nuclear weapons. Time Code Start: 33:42. Keywords: nuclear bombs, atomic, explosions, nuclear warheads, tests, testings. Network: ABC.

      16. Chancellor/Stern: Watergate case Special Prosecutor Jaworski and Judiciary Committee. Time Code Start: 35:36. 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/Brokaw: White House statement on Watergate case Special Prosecutor Jaworski. Time Code Start: 37:58. 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: Committee listens to tapes. Time Code Start: 39:46. Keywords: law officials, attorneys, lawyers, bugging, bugs, wiretapping, wire taps, surveillance, spying, recordings, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, scandals. Network: NBC.

      19. Chancellor/Graham: Jeb Magruder is sentenced. Time Code Start: 41:26. Keywords: bugging, bugs, wiretapping, wire taps, surveillance, spying, recordings, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals, impeachment, resignations. Network: NBC.

      20. Chancellor/Brinkley: Commentary on Watergate Federal Judge Gesell and break-in. Time Code Start: 43:28. Keywords: Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals, impeachment, resignations. Network: NBC.

      21. Cronkite/Mudd: Committee, Watergate case Special Prosecutor Jaworski, President Nixon's attorney St. Clair battle, with Senator Ted Kennedy film. Time Code Start: 45:42. Keywords: law officials, attorneys, lawyers, appointments, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals. Network: CBS.

      22. Cronkite/Morton: Vice President Gerald Ford's statement and committee on tapes. Time Code Start: 48:21. Keywords: law officials, attorneys, lawyers, bugging, bugs, wiretapping, wire taps, surveillance, spying, recordings, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, scandals. Network: CBS.

      23. Cronkite/Graham: Jeb Magruder sentenced. Time Code Start: 50:45. Keywords: bugging, bugs, wiretapping, wire taps, surveillance, spying, recordings, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals, impeachment, resignations. Network: CBS.

      24. Cronkite: Retired Supreme Court Justice Earl Warren on Watergate. Time Code Start: 52:51. Keywords: Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals, impeachment, resignations. Network: CBS.

Context (External Sources)