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May 26, 1972

Introduction

This almanac page for Friday, May 26, 1972, 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: Thursday, May 25, 1972

Next Date: Saturday, May 27, 1972

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 Kremlin Palace Annex, Moscow, U.S.S.R.

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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.

    • Annotated and Unmarked News Summaries [Note: Although there was no News Summary on this date, due to the way News Summary products were compiled, you should also consult nearby days for potentially relevant materials.]

    President's Personal File

    The President's Personal File is essentially a President's secretary's file, kept by Rose Mary Woods, personal secretary to the President, for two purposes: (1) preserving for posterity a collection of documents particularly close to the President, whether because he dictated or annotated them, or because of the importance of the correspondent or the event concerned and (2) giving appropriate attention–letters of gratitude, invitations to White House social events, and the like–to members and important friends and supporters of the Nixon administration. This generalization does not describe all the varied materials of a file group which is essentially a miscellany, but it does identify the reason for the existence of the file group's core. Visit the finding aid to learn more.

  • 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 26th. We're still struggling with SALT. The meeting that was supposed to be at 10:00 didn't happen, and so the President called me in and was going over some of the plans for the toast and the dinner tonight, and all that. Then said that he was waiting to see what they were going to come up with for a meeting today. At 11:00 Henry came in and said that they're developing their answer on SALT now, and that he's to go get it. That the Politburo's been meeting since 7:00 this morning on it; and that there'd be no session this morning, it'll be this afternoon on the Middle East. And, the first question is whether Rogers should be there, because Gromyko will be, but they don't want Rogers there if anything's to be decided, so there was some discussion about that. Dobrynin then burst in and confirmed this schedule thing, and Henry and Dobrynin left. So the President was then set with four hours to kill.

      We had some discussion on the plans for the return speech and his report. He said that he feels the people expect a report from the President, but the Congress thing is a spectacular, but we really need a working session with them. He rules out the Oval Office. He figures that the disadvantage to the Congress is that the press will get comments from everyone. Then he gave me a lot of material for Andrews to use in developing the speech, making the point that we had some significant agreements. What they mean is gratifying. There's still some unsolvable, unresolved problems. We have to find, in the speech to handle Vietnam; the need for America to maintain strength; have confidence in ourselves; we can't assume that the world has changed. We need to maintain these kinds of talks, and we should talk about the competitiveness of our economy, talk about the agreements, the friendship, the peace, all helpful, but now we're to the point of where do we go from here. We're going to build on all of these a structure with more cooperation wherever we can. It's still a dangerous world; all the problems are not solved. The US must condition themselves in a way, the same way that enabled us to get to the summit to begin with. We need pride in the country. He should sum up what it all means. Put the trip in perspective, and explain why we were here. We still have more difficulties such as Vietnam and the Middle East, but we've established a better basis for communicating on those problems at the highest level. As great nations will continue to be competitive.

      Then at 11:30 Kissinger burst in again, to say he had just come back from the meeting Dobrynin had taken him off to...

      -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      DECLASSIFIED - E.O. 13526, Sect. 3.4: by MS, NARA, June 12, 2013
      Audio Cassette 35, Side A, Withdrawn Item Number 8 [AC-35(A) Sel 8]
      Duration: 13 seconds

      …say that regarding SALT, they've accepted everything we wanted including the ten to fifteen percent significant change item.
      -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

      They want to sign it today at 7:00 or 8:00. So the President said fine, add Smith and the delegation to the dinner tonight. And we called Ziegler and said that the signing will be today. Called Chapin and told him to move the dinner one hour later, and shifted everything around on that basis. The President went to his 3:00 meeting on the Middle East, got back around 5:30, was in with Henry. Apparently there's still some problem on SALT. They called me in to say that we now have to move the dinner back to the original time and speed up the whole operation as much as possible, so that we can put the SALT signing at 11:00 tonight. I raised the point that Rogers had called me asking to see the President, because he and Flanigan need to review the whole trade situation with him. The President agreed to do that after the 11:00 signing. Then Ziegler called with a disastrous problem, because the Soviets had released the commercial agreement which wasn't supposed to be put out till tomorrow. So Ron had to scurry and hold a briefing on that, which created something of a flap, but no real problem.

      This is dictated at 7:00 on May 26th, and that's it up to this point.

      Continuing Friday, May 26th. The last dictation was a little after 6:00. They shoved the dinner along as fast as possible, and ended up getting it over by just a little after 10:30, so the President wasn't in too bad shape in getting back for the signing ceremony, and it was held just a few minutes after 11:00, with everybody getting a great feeling of the historic nature of the occasion. The problem, however, was Ziegler caught me on the way into the signing, said we had real trouble, because things had gone astray at the pre-signing briefing, with Kissinger and Gerry Smith, and that was the thing that had him concerned. Turns out that Smith came into the briefing, sort of took over from Kissinger and blew the answers on several of the items, creating totally the wrong impression, and had Kissinger right up the wall as a result. I got over to Kissinger during the signing ceremony, and with, under great strain, convinced him, sort of, that he ought to go back and do another briefing after the signing. But we had the problem of, he refused to do that with Gerry Smith on the platform, first of all, and secondly, he refused to do it for an international group, and they were scheduling an international briefing for right after the signing. We left it with Ron, as we were walking back, that it would be done on the basis of their doing the international briefing first and then Ron assembling some American journalists to resume the US briefing. Klein, in the meantime, would make sure that Gerry Smith was kept out of the way, and that Henry had the podium to himself.

      After the signing, while we were waiting for Henry to go over, I spent about 45 minutes pacing up and down the halls of our quarters, trying to calm Henry down, as he was ranting, raving, and cursing Rogers and Smith. He had learned from Pete Flanigan that Rogers had ordered Smith and Nitze to stay on Henry's heels at all times, and under no circumstances to allow Henry to have a press conference of any kind out of their presence. So that's why Smith had come into the thing. As the more Henry and I talked the more it became apparent to me that the problem was more psychological than real. In other words, Henry was upset because it hadn't gone the way he wanted it to go, but it really hadn't gone as badly as he was envisioning it in his own mind.

      As we were still waiting, the President called Henry and asked him to come in. Henry told me that he was so mad that he didn't think he should see the President, and would I please go in and handle the thing, so I did, told the President what the problem was. He, of course, was quite disturbed, too. He had just met for 45 minutes with Rogers and Flanigan on trade, after the signing, and so this was at about midnight. The more he thought about it, the madder he got, and in the middle of that discussion, Henry walked in, reviewed the thing in more livid detail for the President, and the President told me to call Bill Rogers, tell him that Ziegler was outraged by Smith's conduct at the briefing, that he was an utter disaster, that you're to shut him up, he's to do no more briefings without the express permission of the President, or he's fired. I said, you know, what good, what will that accomplish, and the President said, I guess you're right, it won't accomplish anything, so forget it. Then he brooded for a few minutes, picked up the phone himself, asked for Rogers, said I'll call him and hung it up. Then he said, when he calls back, you take it, and tell him what I just said, so I did. Pete Flanigan in the meantime, it turns out, had told Henry that he had also heard Rogers say something to the effect that we can't let the White House get credit for this. The more we pinned Henry on that, it turned out that was conjecture rather than reporting. In any event, I talked to Rogers, who was quite surprised by the whole thing, but did make the point to him that only Henry was to do the briefing, and that that's the way it was to go.

      So that night, as far as I was concerned, ended at about 1:00 or a little after when I went back to bed. The President went to bed, but said Henry is to wake him up when he got back, which was, apparently, at about 2:00, and fill him in on how the briefing went. Apparently it went extremely well, so things got back on the track later on.

      End of May 26th.
    • Original audio recording (MP3)

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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-9191 Photographer: Schumaker, Byron | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-9191-02-11, The Moscow Kremlin wall gate and building within. 5/26/1972, Moscow, Russia, USSR Kremlin. unidentified men.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-9191-12-34, Pat Nixon arriving at and touring a watch factory in Moscow. 5/26/1972, Moscow, Russia, USSR watch factory. Pat Nixon, unidentified persons, watch factory workers.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-9191-37, During her tour of a Moscow watch factory, Pat Nixon admires a clock set made in silver (with a silver teapot set on top). Various clocks and watches can be seen displayed on a table in front of her. 5/26/1972, Moscow, Russia, USSR watch factory. Pat Nixon, unidentified persons, watch factory workers, Viktoria Brezhneva.

    Roll WHPO-9200 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-9200-09A-19A, Shots of buildings within the Kremlin, children and adults walking in Red Square, children marching and adults walking in a park outside the Kremlin walls. 5/26/1972, Moscow, Russia, USSR Kremlin, Red Square, park, watch factory. unidentified children, adults, watch factory workers.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-9200-20A-26A, Workers in a watch factory. 5/26/1972, Moscow, Russia, USSR Kremlin, Red Square, park, watch factory. unidentified children, adults, watch factory workers.

    Roll WHPO-9201 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-9201-, Portrait of unidentified photographers. A view of Moscow city buildings is visible in the background. 5/26/1972, Moscow, Russia, USSR Red Square, streets. unidentified photographers, citizens, soldiers.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-9201-02-15, Lenin's Tomb and buildings in Red Square. 5/26/1972, Moscow, Russia, USSR Red Square, streets. citizens, Russian Soviet soldiers.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-9201-16-22, Red Square in Moscow. 5/26/1972, Moscow, Russia, USSR Red Square, streets. unidentified photographers, citizens, soldiers.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-9201-23-36, Pat Nixon arriving at a watch factory and observing the workers doing various tasks. 5/26/1972, Moscow, Russia, USSR watch factory. Pat Nixon, officials, watch factory workers.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-9201-29, Pat Nixon visits a watch factory and observes the workers doing various tasks. 5/26/1972, Moscow, Russia, USSR watch factory. Pat Nixon, Viktoria Brezhneva, watch factory workers, press.

    Roll WHPO-9202 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-9202-, Pat Nixon having refreshments and leaving a Moscow watch making factory. 5/26/1972, Moscow, Russia, USSR watch factory. Pat Nixon, officials, watch factory workers, press photographers.

    Roll WHPO-9203 Photographer: Schumaker, Byron | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-9203-02-04, Cityscape view of Moscow buildings taken from a high vantage point. 5/26/1972, Moscow, Russia, USSR buildings.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-9203-06-25, The Presidential motorcade arriving at Spaso House (Ambassador Beam's residence.) Posed group photos of the President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Leonid Brezhnev and Mrs. Brezhnev, Kosygin, and Podgorny. Dinner guests seated at tables. Outside shots of the residence. 5/26/1972, Moscow, Russia, USSR exterior and interior sites, Spaso House. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Leonid Brezhnev, Mrs. Brezhnev, Alexei Kosygin, Nikolai Podgorny, dinner guests.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-9203-24, Outside shots of the Spaso House(Ambassador Beam's residence.). 5/26/1972, Moscow, Russia, USSR exterior and interior sites, Spaso House.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-9203-27-31, President Nixon and Leonid Brezhnev signing the SALT agreement. President Nixon toasting high-ranking Russian officials. 5/26/1972, Moscow, Russia, USSR Vladimir Hall, Grand Kremlin Palace. President Nixon, Leonid Brezhnev, Nikolai Podgorny, Alexei Kosygin, officials.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-9203-29, President Nixon and Leonid Brezhnev signing the SALT agreement. 5/26/1972, Moscow, Russia, USSR Vladimir Hall, Grand Kremlin Palace. President Nixon, Leonid Brezhnev, Nikolai Podgorny, Alexei Kosygin, officials.

    Roll WHPO-9204 Photographer: Schumaker, Byron | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-9204-02-04, Pat Nixon having refreshments at a watch factory in Moscow. 5/26/1972, Moscow, Russia, USSR watch factory. Pat Nixon, unidentified persons.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-9204-05-08, St. Basil's Cathedral building, the Kremlin Wall, and various other buildings in Moscow's Red Square area. 5/26/1972, Moscow, Russia, USSR St. Basil's, Kremlin Wall, buildings.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-9204-10-14, The head table at the dinner given by President Nixon. Spaso House (Ambassador Beam's residence) building exterior. 5/26/1972, Moscow, Russia, USSR Spaso House, Grand Kremlin Palace. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Leonid Brezhnev, Nikolai Podgorny, Alexei Kosygin, William Rogers, officials, guests.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-9204-16-36, President Nixon and General Secretary Brezhnev signing the (SALT 1) ABM Treaty (Limitation of Anti-Ballistic Missile Systems) and the Interim Agreement on strategic offensive arms in the Kremlin, Moscow. (Per State Dept. after two and a half years of negotiation, the first round of SALT was brought to a conclusion on May 26, 1972, when President Nixon and General Secretary Brezhnev signed the ABM Treaty and the Interim Agreement on strategic offensive arms.). 5/26/1972, Moscow, Russia, USSR St. Vladimir Hall, Grand Kremlin Palace. President Nixon, Leonid Brezhnev, Nikolai Podgorny, Mikhail Suslov, Alexei Kosygin, William Rogers, officials, guests.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-9204-23, General Secretary Leonid Brezhnev signing the (SALT 1) ABM Treaty (Limitation of Anti-Ballistic Missile Systems) and the Interim Agreement on strategic offensive arms in the Kremlin, Moscow. 5/26/1972, Moscow, Russia, USSR St. Vladimir Hall, Grand Kremlin Palace. Leonid Brezhnev, Nikolai Podgorny, Mikhail Suslov, USSR officials.

    Roll WHPO-9205 Photographer: Moore, Robert (Supervisor/Director, WHPO Photographic Laboratory) | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-9205-02-19, Pat Nixon watching workers in a watch factory, having refreshments, and leaving the factory. 5/26/1972, Moscow, Russia, USSR watch factory, buildings. Pat Nixon, watch factory workers, officials.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-9205-22-25, Moscow building exteriors. 5/26/1972, Moscow, Russia, USSR buildings.

    Roll WHPO-9206 Photographer: Moore, Robert (Supervisor/Director, WHPO Photographic Laboratory) | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-9206-02-11, Moscow citizens looking at posters showing President Nixon and Pat Nixon visits to various locations in the city. 5/26/1972, Moscow, Russia, USSR sidewalk; various sites, watch factory. Pat Nixon, officials, watch factory workers, citizens.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-9206-11A, Moscow citizens looking at posters showing President Nixon and Pat Nixon visits to various locations in the city. 5/26/1972, Moscow, Russia, USSR sidewalk; various sites, watch factory. unidentified citizens.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-9206-12-36, Pat Nixon visits a watch factory in Moscow, Russia. 5/26/1972, Moscow, Russia, USSR sidewalk; various sites, watch factory. Pat Nixon, officials, watch factory workers, citizens.

    Roll WHPO-9207 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-9207-, President Nixon and Leonid Brezhnev in the Grand Kremlin Palace St. Vladimir Hall signing the SALT agreement. 5/26/1972, Moscow, Russia, USSR St. Vladimir Hall, Grand Kremlin Palace. President Nixon, Leonid Brezhnev, Nikolai Podgorny, Alexei Kosygin, officials.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-9207-, President Nixon, Leonid Brezhnev, and officials sharing a celebration toast after the signing of the SALT agreement in the Grand Kremlin Palace St. Vladimir Hall. 5/26/1972, Moscow, Russia, USSR St. Vladimir Hall, Grand Kremlin Palace. President Nixon, Leonid Brezhnev, Nikolai Podgorny, Alexei Kosygin, officials.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-9207-, President Nixon, Leonid Brezhnev, and officials entering the Grand Kremlin Palace St. Vladimir Hall to witness the signing of the SALT agreement. 5/26/1972, Moscow, Russia, USSR St. Vladimir Hall, Grand Kremlin Palace. President Nixon, Leonid Brezhnev, Nikolai Podgorny, Alexei Kosygin, officials.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-9207-19A, President Nixon and Leonid Brezhnev in the Grand Kremlin Palace St. Vladimir Hall shaking hands after signing the SALT agreement. 5/26/1972, Moscow, Russia, USSR St. Vladimir Hall, Grand Kremlin Palace. President Nixon, Leonid Brezhnev, Nikolai Podgorny, Alexei Kosygin, officials.

    Roll WHPO-9208 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-9208-, Posed and informal shots of President Nixon and Pat Nixon, Leonid and Mrs. Brezhnev, and Kosygin. Shots of other officials. Heads of state and officials at the head table during dinner. 5/26/1972, Moscow, Russia, USSR Kremlin Palace annex; entrance, ballroom, Spaso House. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Leonid Brezhnev, Mrs. Brezhnev, Alexei Kosygin, William Rogers, officials, guests.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-9208-, Shots of unidentified Russian and American officials. Heads of state and officials at the head table during dinner. 5/26/1972, Moscow, Russia, USSR Kremlin Palace annex; entrance, ballroom, Spaso House. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Leonid Brezhnev, Mrs. Brezhnev, Alexei Kosygin, William Rogers, officials, guests.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-9208-, Russian and American Heads of state and officials at the head table during the Moscow state dinner. 5/26/1972, Moscow, Russia, USSR Kremlin Palace annex; entrance, ballroom, Spaso House. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Leonid Brezhnev, Mrs. Brezhnev, Alexei Kosygin, William Rogers, officials, guests.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-9208-, President Nixon and Pat Nixon leaving their residence for dinner. Posed and informal shots of President Nixon and Pat Nixon, Leonid and Mrs. Brezhnev, and Kosygin. Shots of other officials. Heads of state and officials at the head table during dinner. 5/26/1972, Moscow, Russia, USSR Kremlin Palace annex; entrance, ballroom, Spaso House. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Leonid Brezhnev, Mrs. Brezhnev, Alexei Kosygin, William Rogers, officials, guests.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-9208-13A, Informal shot of President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Leonid Brezhnev, Viktoria Brezhnev, Alexei Kosygin and other officials standing together after a state dinner. 5/26/1972, Moscow, Russia, USSR Ballroom, Chandelier Room, Spaso House. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Leonid Brezhnev, Viktoria Brezhnev, Alexei Kosygin, unidentified officials.

    Roll WHPO-9209 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-9209-, Russian and American Heads of state and unidntified officials at the head table during the Moscow state dinner. 5/26/1972, Moscow, Russia, USSR Kremlin Palace annex; entrance, ballroom, Spaso House. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Leonid Brezhnev, Mrs. Brezhnev, Alexei Kosygin, William Rogers, officials, guests.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-9209-19, President Nixon and Leonid Brezhnev signing the SALT agreement. 5/26/1972, Moscow, Russia, USSR Vladimir Hall, Grand Kremlin Palace. President Nixon, Leonid Brezhnev, Nikolai Podgorny, Alexei Kosygin, officials.

    Roll WHPO-9210 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-9210-, President Nixon and others leaving St. Vladimir Hall in Moscow. 5/26/1972, Moscow, Russia, USSR St. Vladimir Hall, Grand Kremlin Palace. President Nixon, Leonid Brezhnev, Nikolai Podgorny, Alexei Kosygin, officials.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-9210-06, President Nixon talking with Chairman Nikolai Podgorny (with cigarette in hand), Leonid Brezhnev, Alexei Kosygin, and Andrei Gromyko amid Soviet officials in Moscow at St. Vladimir Hall after the signing ceremony for the SALT agreement. 5/26/1972, Moscow, Russia, USSR St. Vladimir Hall, Grand Kremlin Palace. President Nixon, Leonid Brezhnev, Nikolai Podgorny, Andrei Gromyko, Alexei Kosygin, Mikhail Suslov (behind Kosygin), Viktor Sukhodrev (interpreter stands in between the men) officials.

    Roll WHPO-9211 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-9211-, Staff preparing the dining tables and arranging food for a state dinner hosted at Spaso House, by President Nixon for top Russian officials. 5/26/1972, Moscow, Russia, USSR various rooms, Spaso House. staff.

    Roll WHPO-9212 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-9212-, The head table and other tables during a state dinner given by President Nixon for Russian Heads of State in Moscow's Spaso House, residence of Ambassador Bream. Photo of the piano set up in another room. 5/26/1972, Moscow, Russia, USSR Ballroom, Chandelier Room, Spaso House. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Leonid Brezhnev, Mrs. Brezhnev, Nikolai Podgorny, Alexei Kosygin, Kissinger, officials, guests, staff.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-9212-03, The head table during a state dinner given by President Nixon for Russian Heads of State in Moscow's Spaso House, residence of Ambassador Bream. 5/26/1972, Moscow, Russia, USSR Ballroom, Chandelier Room, Spaso House. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Leonid Brezhnev, Mrs. Brezhnev, Nikolai Podgorny, Alexei Kosygin, Kissinger, officials, guests, staff.

    Roll WHPO-9213 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-9213-, President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Leonid Brezhnev, Mrs. Brezhnev, and Alexei Kosygin. A receiving line. Guests entertaining the ballroom and seated at tables. 5/26/1972, Moscow, Russia, USSR entrance hall, Chandelier Room, Ballroom, Spaso House. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Viktoria Brezhneva, Leonid Brezhnev, Nikolai Podgorny, Alexei Kosygin, officials, guests.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-9213-04A, Informal shot of President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Leonid Brezhnev, Viktoria Brezhnev, Alexei Kosygin and other officials standing together after a state dinner. 5/26/1972, Moscow, Russia, USSR entrance hall, Chandelier Room, Ballroom, Spaso House. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Leonid Brezhnev, Viktoria Brezhnev, Alexei Kosygin and other officials.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-9213-14A, President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Leonid Brezhnev, Mrs. Brezhnev, and Alexei Kosygin in a receiving line, shaking hands with unidentified officials and guests. 5/26/1972, Moscow, Russia, USSR entrance hall, Chandelier Room, Ballroom, Spaso House. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Leonid Brezhnev, Mrs. Brezhnev, Alexei Kosygin, other officials, guests.

    Roll WHPO-9214 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-9214-, Pianist Van Cliburn plays for Heads of State and their guests. 5/26/1972, Moscow, Russia, USSR Chandelier Room, Ballroom, Spaso House. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Van Cliburn, William Rogers, guests, officials.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-9214-, Pianist Van Cliburn with President Nixon and Pat Nixon, William Rogers, dignitaries and unidentified persons. 5/26/1972, Moscow, Russia, USSR U.S. Embassy Chandelier Room, Ballroom, Spaso House. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Van Cliburn, William Rogers, guests, officials.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-9214-, Pianist Van Cliburn performing in Moscow for President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Russian Heads of State and their guests. Pianist Van Cliburn with dignitaries. Pianist Van Cliburn with President Nixon and Pat Nixon, William Rogers, and unidentified persons. 5/26/1972, Moscow, Russia, USSR Chandelier Room, Ballroom, Spaso House. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Van Cliburn, William Rogers, guests, officials.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-9214-07A, Pat Nixon, Leonid Brezhnev, and other officials talking and walking through a ballroom beneath a large chandelier. 5/26/1972, Moscow, Russia, USSR U.S. Embassy Chandelier Room, Ballroom, Spaso House. Pat Nixon, Leonid Brezhnev, other unidentified officials.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-9214-08A, A pianist stands before an audience of Russian and American officials after a state dinner. 5/26/1972, Moscow, Russia, USSR Chandelier Room, Ballroom, Spaso House. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, pianist, unidentified officials.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-9214-10A, An American pianist plays for an audience of Russian and American officials after a state dinner. Audience stands in respect. 5/26/1972, Moscow, Russia, USSR Chandelier Room, Ballroom, Spaso House. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, pianist, unidentified officials.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-9214-15A, Nixon and Pat Nixon stand and thank an American pianist for his performance for Russian and American officials after a state dinner. Pat Nixon shakes hands with the pianist. Audience remains seated. 5/26/1972, Moscow, Russia, USSR U.S. Embassy Chandelier Room, Ballroom, Spaso House. Presdient Nixon, Pat Nixon, pianist, unidentified officials.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-9214-18A, Nixon and Pat Nixon stand and thank an American pianist for his performance for Russian and American officials after a state dinner. The pianist touches Nixon's arm. Audience remains seated. 5/26/1972, Moscow, Russia, USSR Chandelier Room, Ballroom, Spaso House. Presdient Nixon, Pat Nixon, pianist, unidentified officials.

    Roll WHPO-9225 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-9225-03A-04A, Pat Nixon at a watch factory. 5/26/1972, Moscow, Russia, USSR watch factory. Pat Nixon, Russian officials, watch factory employees.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-9225-05A-07A, Russian and American flags flying at an unknown location. 5/26/1972, Moscow, Russia, USSR unknown location.

    Roll WHPO-9226 Photographer: Schumaker, Byron | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-9226-02-06, President Nixon talking and smiling after the signing of the SALT agreement. 5/26/1972, Moscow, Russia, USSR St. Vladimir Hall, Grand Kremlin Palace. President Nixon, Leonid Brezhnev, Nikolai Podgorny, Alexei Kosygin, Russian officials.

    Roll WHPO-9235 Photographer: Grove, Andrew | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-9235-, Informal closeup portraits of Peter Millspaugh. 5/26/1972, Washington, D.C. unknown. Peter Millspaugh.

    Roll WHPO-9286 Photographer: Schumaker, Byron | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-9286-, Moscow's Kremlin Red Square wall. Lenin's Tomb. The church St. Basil's famous for it's colorful onion domes. Moscow Red Square street scenes. 5/26/1972, Moscow, Russia, USSR Red Square, streets. citizens.

  • 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.

    H - White House Staff Member Recordings

    • WHCA-SR-H-585
      Press briefing by Henry Kissinger. (5/26/1972, Intourist Hotel, Moscow, USSR)

      Runtime: [Nonelisted]

      Keywords: Press conferences, news conferences, interviews, media

      Production credits: Audio feed supplied by WHCA; Recorded by LDH (initials of WHCA engineer)

      Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.
    • WHCA-SR-H-586
      Press briefing by Peter Flanigan, Ronald Ziegler, and Dean Hinton in Moscow. (5/26/1972, Intourist Hotel, Moscow, USSR)

      Runtime: 30:00:00

      Keywords: Press conferences, news conferences, interviews, media, press secretary

      Production credits: Audio feed supplied by WHCA; Recorded by CAL (initials of WHCA engineer)

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

    K - Informal Presidential Remarks

    • WHCA-SR-K-268
      SALT signing-Leningrad, U.S.S.R. (5/26/1972)

      Keywords: SALT, S.A.L.T., Strategic Arms Limitation Talks, Russia, Soviet Union, USSR, Cold War, détente, summits, meetings

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

    P - Formal Presidential Remarks

    • WHCA-SR-P-720513
      Remarks by President Nixon in toast at reciprocal dinner at Spasso House in Moscow with Prime Minister Alexei Kosygin. (5/26/1972)

      Runtime: 3:34

      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-5405
      "Priorities '73". Irene McCabe.
      NBC
      Runtime: 00:30:05
    • WHCA-5406
      "Chronolog". pollster Oliver Quayle.
      NBC
      Runtime: 01:02:10
    • WHCA-5407
      "Chronolog".
      Undetermined
      Runtime: 01:01:44
    • WHCA-5408
      Moscow Summit Coverage.
      WCET, Los Angeles
      Runtime: 00:19:45
    • WHCA-5436
      Russian News Summary, Tape I.
      ALL NETWORKS
      Runtime: 1:30

      1. Smith/Jarriel: President Nixon in Moscow, Russia - The SALT arms agreements and Strategic Arms Limitation Talks. Time Code Start: 00:00. Keywords: Presidents, travel, trips, Nixon trips, international, S.A.L.T., Russia, Soviet Union, USSR, Cold War, détente. Network: ABC.

      2. Reasoner/Bergman: The SALT agreements [Strategic Arms Limitation Talks] agreement gives Russians more missiles, but more nuclear warheads to United States, Land-based intercontinental missiles frozen at present force level. Time Code Start: 02:48. Keywords: SALT, S.A.L.T., Strategic Arms Limitation Talks, Russia, Soviet Union, USSR, Cold War, détente. Network: ABC.

      3. Smith/Chapman: What the SALT [Strategic Arms Limitation Talks] agreements mean to Russia, Production of expensive arms can be cut, money available for other objectives in China, Europe, and Russian economy. Time Code Start: 04:52. Keywords: SALT, S.A.L.T., Strategic Arms Limitation Talks, Russia, Soviet Union, USSR, Cold War, détente. Network: ABC.

      4. Reasoner/Koppel: Possible opposition in Congress to the SALT agreements; (Senator Jackson, Secretary of Defense Laird). Time Code Start: 06:30. Keywords: SALT, S.A.L.T., Strategic Arms Limitation Talks, Russia, Soviet Union, USSR, Cold War, détente. Network: ABC.

      5. Reasoner/Chapman: U.S. and Soviet trade. Time Code Start: 08:44. Keywords: Soviet Union, Russia, business, exchanges, agreements, contracts, profits, finance, sales, buying, selling. Network: ABC.

      6. Smith: Commentary on U.S. and Soviet agreements. Time Code Start: 12:08. Keywords: Soviet Union, Russia, USSR, imports, exports, business, relationships. Network: ABC.

      7. Chancellor: The SALT agreements [Strategic Arms Limitation Talks] In Vladimir Hall of Great Kremlin Palace, President Nixon and Soviet Party Chief Brezhnev sign agreement limiting strategic arms, Politburo attends signing. Time Code Start: 14:10. Keywords: SALT, S.A.L.T., Strategic Arms Limitation Talks, Russia, Soviet Union, USSR, Cold War, détente. Network: NBC.

      8. Chancellor/Valeriani: The SALT talks [Strategic Arms Limitation Talks] held since fall of 1969, treaty on defensive weapons will require Senate ratification. Time Code Start: 17:13. Keywords: SALT, S.A.L.T., Strategic Arms Limitation Talks, Russia, Soviet Union, USSR, Cold War, détente. Network: NBC.

      9. Bell: First Lady Pat Nixon in Moscow, Russia. Time Code Start: 20:19. Keywords: Presidents, families, wife, travel, trips, First Lady trips, international, Russia, USSR, Soviet Union, tourism. Network: NBC.

      10. Chancellor/Brinkley: Commentary on the SALT agreements [Strategic Arms Limitation Talks]. Time Code Start: 25:14. Keywords: SALT, S.A.L.T., Strategic Arms Limitation Talks, Russia, Soviet Union, USSR, Cold War, détente. Network: NBC.

      11. Cronkite/Kalb: The SALT talks [Strategic Arms Limitation Talks]. Time Code Start: 26:42. Keywords: SALT, S.A.L.T., Strategic Arms Limitation Talks, Russia, Soviet Union, USSR, Cold War, détente. Network: CBS.

      12. Mudd: Secretary of Defense Laird on the agreements, also Senator Jackson. Time Code Start: 29:47. Keywords: cabinet, advisors, military, Cambodia, Vietnam War, speeches, statements. Network: CBS.

      13. Mudd/Sevareid: Commentary on the Russia summit. Time Code Start: 32:00. Keywords: SALT, S.A.L.T., Strategic Arms Limitation Talks, Russia, Soviet Union, USSR, Cold War, détente, summits, meetings. Network: CBS.

      14. Cronkite/Mudd: Russian music. Time Code Start: 34:12. Keywords: Soviet Union, Russia, USSR, musicians, orchestras, bands, musicals, shows, folk music, music, performance. Network: CBS.
    • WHCA-5443
      Weekly News Summary, Tape I.
      ALL NETWORKS
      Runtime: 1:30

      2. Reasoner/Matney: McGovern in California. Time Code Start: 00:00. Keywords: Presidential elections, campaigns, campaigning, candidates. Network: ABC.

      3. Utley: Vietnam. Time Code Start: 02:08. Keywords: Vietnam War. Network: NBC.

      4. Mudd/Throikeld: Vietnam. Time Code Start: 06:35. Keywords: Vietnam War. Network: CBS.

      5. Clark: Humphrey. Time Code Start: 10:17. Keywords: Presidential elections, campaigns, campaigning, primaries, candidates, voting, speeches. Network: CBS.

      6. Shoumacher: McGovern. Time Code Start: 12:38. Keywords: Presidential elections, campaigns, campaigning, candidates. Network: CBS.

Context (External Sources)