1. Home
  2. Research
  3. Almanac

May 24, 1969

Introduction

This almanac page for Saturday, May 24, 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: Friday, May 23, 1969

Next Date: Sunday, May 25, 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 Camp David, Maryland

  • 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.

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.

  • 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)
      Saturday, May 24.

      At Camp David. Mel Laird called regarding concern on speech Fulbright will make Tuesday or Wednesday on the arms race and anti-Administration position. Laird felt perhaps he or a senator should release our intelligence knowledge of Soviet SS9 multi-warhead tests, latest one last week. He and Bryce felt this should be done before Fulbright's speech. Went through whole rundown on our current information, says Fulbright is basing his attack on old October stuff.

      I talked to Kissinger (in New York) and he felt we should not say anything before Fulbright, because would give him chance to counterattack. Rather should wait until after speech - then have a senator hit him with our information - much more effective. Kissinger also agreed with President's decision not to call Brooke. I had him call Laird and settle plan. Laird leaving tomorrow for Europe for a week.

      Left Camp David in mid-afternoon. President invited Bebe, Harlow, Finch, Abplanalp, Hobe Lewis and me to dinner on the Sequoia. Nice cruise - drinks topside in the twilight President came up with great idea for baseball dinner at time of All-Star Game, which is baseball's 100th anniversary. Wish he'd do more of this kind of thing. Had tried to get Ehrlichman, Mitchell and Kissinger, which would have been even better, but they're all out of town.

      Went through his whole thesis regarding blacks and their genetic inferiority and the hopelessness of any early change in the situation. Have to wait for in-breeding – in the meantime just take care of them and help the few good ones to rise up. I firmly believe he’s right.

      Also long discussion of ABM-MIRV, and the clear plan of the establishment to wreck our defense posture. He's determined not to let it happen.

      Some more self-pleasure with the whole Chief Justice episode - the selection, announcement, follow-up press conference, etc. Wants Readers Digest to do a "poor boy makes good" story on him. He never graduated from high school, and worked his way through law school. Great stuff!
    • 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

    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. XXXII, SALT I, 1969-1972

    Preparations for SALT, January 27-November 12, 1969

    • 10. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon, Washington, May 24, 1969

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 873, SALT, Volume II, June–July 1969. Secret; Nodis. Sent for information. A notation on the memorandum indicates the President saw it. Another notation indicates it was returned on June 2. Haig asked Sonnenfeldt to prepare this memorandum for the President “to keep him abreast of this fast moving epic.” (Memorandum from Haig to Sonnenfeldt, May 19; ibid.)

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

    Peru

    • 600. Study Prepared by the NSC Interdepartmental Group for Latin American Affairs, Washington, May 24, 1969. , Washington, May 24, 1969

      This National Security Council Interdepartmental Group for Latin American Affairs (NSC–IG/ARA) study, titled “Peru and IPC: Review of U.S. Strategy,” examined U.S. policy toward Peru, issues with employing the Hickenlooper Sanctions, and the implications of those issues on current strategy. It recommended that economic pressure on Peru be continued, while continuing consultations with the Peruvian Government and IPC. In addition, the study concluded that it was important to maintain harmonious inter-American relations.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–135, NSSM Files, NSSM 18. Secret. A covering May 26 memorandum from Davis to Pedersen, Nutter, Smith, Unger, and Lindjord stated the memorandum would be sent to the President.

  • 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)