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May 29, 1974

Introduction

This almanac page for Wednesday, May 29, 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: Tuesday, May 28, 1974

Next Date: Thursday, May 30, 1974

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

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.

    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 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

    • 78. Memorandum of Conversation, Jerusalem, May 29, 1974, 2:45-3:45 a.m.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Records of Henry Kissinger, 1973–77, Box 8, Nodis Memcons, May 1974, Folder 10. Secret; Nodis. The meeting was held at the Prime Minister’s office in Jerusalem, and took place on May 29, not May 28–29 as indicated on the original. Brackets are in the original. Kissinger met with Meir right before this meeting from 2:10 until 2:45 a.m. at the Prime Minister’s office. (Memorandum of conversation; ibid.)

    Vol. XXVI, Arab-Israeli Dispute, 1974-1976

    Syrian-Israeli Disengagement Agreement, January-May 1974

    Vol. XXXIX, European Security

    Basket III, May-December 1974

    • 206. Memorandum of Conversation, Damascus, May 29, 1974, midnight-12:30 a.m.

      Source: Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Kissinger Papers, Box CL 216, Geopolitical File, Soviet Union, Dobrynin, Anatoliy, Chronological File. Secret;Exdis. The conversation took place at the Soviet Embassy. Kissinger was in Syria to discuss the disengagement of Syrian and Israeli forces on the Golan Heights after the Arab-Israeli War of 1973. Kissinger briefly discussed CSCE with Syrian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Abd al-Halim Khaddam on May 28: “Kissinger: I had my eyes on Princess Grace’s daughter myself. Khaddam: If European security could be achieved at this level, it would be good. [Laughter]Kissinger: If I were your President, I wouldn’t worry about the European Security Conference. If it achieves security, it will be an accident. Khaddam: European security is no longer important to the rest of the world. The powers now are fifth-rate powers; the countries that caused World War I have lost influence even on the continent. European security no longer has world dimensions. Kissinger: Exactly. Khaddam: The concerns seem to be things of internal significance. Boundaries, economic issues. Kissinger: They have Foreign Offices but no longer the power to conduct diplomacy.” (National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 1028, MemCons—HAK & Presidential)

    Vol. E-14, Part 2, Documents on Arms Control and Nonproliferation, 1973-1976

    • 51. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon, Washington, May 29, 1974

      Summary: Kissinger recommended that the President approve the attached National Security Decision Memorandum implementing the action program prepared by the NSC Under Secretaries Committee in response to NSDM 235. The action program recommended consultations with supplier nations to control the profileration of highly-enriched plutonium.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Institutional Files, National Security Decision Memoranda, Box H–246, NSDM 255. Secret. Sent for action. Scowcroft initialed for Kissinger. A stamped notation on the memorandum indicates that Nixon saw it. Nixon initialed his approval of the recommendation. Attached as Tab 1 to Document 45. NSDM 235 is Document 18. Tab A is the draft NSDM as approved, published as Document 53. Tab B is not attached; presumably it is a copy of the March 1 NSC Under Secretaries Committee action program, Document 31.

  • 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-E2679 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2679-04-12, President Nixon prepares to give a televised address. 5/29/1974, Washington D.C. White House. President Nixon.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2679-10A, President Nixon prepares to give a televised address. 5/29/1974, Washington D.C. White House.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2679-20A, Binders of transcripts of White House tapes conversations prepared by the White House and submitted to the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives. 5/29/1974, Washington D.C. White House.

    Roll WHPO-E2844 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2844-02A-15A, President Nixon and swearing-in of Kenneth Rush as Counsellor to the President for economic matters. 5/29/1974, Washington D.C. Oval Office. President Nixon, Kenneth Rush, Jane Smith Rush Supreme Court Justice Lewis Powell, unidentified others.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2844-04A, President Nixon and swearing-in of Kenneth Rush as Counsellor to the President for economic matters. 5/29/1974, Washington D.C. Oval Office. President Nixon, Kenneth Rush, Jane Smith Rush Supreme Court Justice Lewis Powell, unidentified others.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2844-08A, President Nixon shaking hands with Kenneth Rush after his swearing-in as Counsellor to the President for economic matters. 5/29/1974, Washington D.C. Oval Office. President Nixon, Kenneth Rush, Jane Smith Rush Supreme Court Justice Lewis Powell, unidentified others.

    Roll WHPO-E2847 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2847-01A-24A, President Nixon shaking hands with Kenneth Rush after his swearing-in as Counsellor to the President for economic matters. 5/29/1974, Washington, D. C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Kenneth Rush, Jane Smith Rush Supreme Court Justice Lewis Powell, unidentified others.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2847-14, President Nixon shaking hands with Kenneth Rush after his swearing-in as Counsellor to the President for economic matters. 5/29/1974, Washington, D. C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Kenneth Rush, Jane Smith Rush Supreme Court Justice Lewis Powell, unidentified others.

  • 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.

    P - Formal Presidential Remarks

    • WHCA-SR-P-740523
      Swearing-in of Kenneth Rush as Economic Policy Counselor. (5/29/1974)

      Runtime: 6:38

      Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.
    • WHCA-SR-P-740524
      Televised address on the Middle East settlement. (5/29/1974)

      Runtime: 3:39

      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-616
      Press briefing by Gerald Warren. (5/29/1974, White House Press Lobby)

      Runtime: 31:55:00

      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-6967
      President Nixon's Announcement of the Mideast Disengagement. James McCord.
      NBC
      Runtime: 0:30
    • WHCA-6972
      Weekly News Summary, Tape I.
      ALL NETWORKS
      Runtime: 1:30

      31. Reasoner/Dunsmore: Middle East agreement reached with Secretary of State Kissinger and Israel's Prime Minister Golda Meir. Time Code Start: 74:13. Keywords: Middle East, Mideast, Israeli, war, Prime Ministers, cabinet, advisors, leaders, ceasefires, truces, treaty, treaties, negotiations. Network: ABC.

      33. Smith/Jarriel: President Nixon announces that the Middle East agreement was reached. Time Code Start: 78:38. Keywords: Presidents, statements, announcements, Middle East, Mideast, war, truces, treaty, treaties, negotiations. Network: ABC.

      34. Smith/Donaldson: Judiciary Committee finishes presenting Watergate info with President Nixon's attorney St. Clair, Smith, Jenner, attorney John Doar. Time Code Start: 80:45. 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: ABC.

      35. Smith: Commentary on Senator Fulbright. Time Code Start: 84:16. Keywords: Senators, foreign relations committee, leaders, chairman. Network: ABC.

      36. Chancellor/Valeriani: Secretary of State Kissinger does it, a Middle East agreement after 38 days. Time Code Start: 85:55. Keywords: Middle East, Mideast, war, cabinet, advisors, travel, trips, truces, treaty, treaties, negotiations. Network: NBC.

      37. Chancellor/Burrington: Fighting continues in the Middle East. Time Code Start: 88:40. Keywords: Middle East, Mideast, war. Network: NBC.

      38. Chancellor/Brokaw: President Nixon will probably travel to Middle East. Time Code Start: 91:11. Keywords: Presidents, travel, trips, Nixon trips, international, Middle East, Mideast. Network: NBC.
    • WHCA-6973
      Weekly News Summary, Tape II.
      ALL NETWORKS
      Runtime: 01:35:00

      1. Chancellor/Scherer: Judiciary Committee assessment of material before them with attorney John Doar, Wiggins, Jordan, Kastenmeyer, Smith. Time Code Start: 00:00. Keywords: Senate committee hearings, Watergate, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals, impeachment, resignations. Network: NBC.

      2. Chancellor/Nessen: Reverend Billy Graham and Vice President Gerald Ford golfing; Commentary on transcripts. Time Code Start: 02:43. Keywords: documents, transcriptions, bugging, bugs, wiretapping, wire taps, surveillance, spying, recordings, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, scandals, sports, golf. Network: NBC.

      3. Chancellor: Swearing in ceremony of new chief economy coordinator Kenneth Rush; President Nixon and Supreme Court Justice Lewis Powell presiding. Time Code Start: 04:26. Keywords: economic advisors council, swearings in, sworn in, ceremony. Network: NBC.

      4. Brinkley: Commentary on elections election results indicating incumbents in trouble, change desired in Washington, D. C. government. Time Code Start: 05:11. Keywords: elections, voting, results, statistics, public opinions, polls. Network: NBC.

      5. Chancellor: Israel's former Prime Minister Golda Meir holds reception for Secretary of State Kissinger. Time Code Start: 07:00. Keywords: Middle East, Mideast, Prime Ministers, cabinet, advisors, leaders, travel, trips, celebrations, dining, dinners. Network: NBC.

      6. Cronkite/Kalb: Shalom in the Middle East with President Nixon; points of agreement. Secretary of State Kissinger's final meeting with Israel's former Prime Minister Golda Meir. Time Code Start: 09:18. Keywords: Presidents, Prime Ministers, cabinet, advisors, Middle East, Mideast, Israeli, war, truces, treaty, treaties, negotiations. Network: CBS.

      7. Cronkite/Morton: House Judiciary Committee completes phase of their review of the evidence with Wiggins, Owens, Jordan. Time Code Start: 15:25. Keywords: Senate committee hearings, Watergate, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals, impeachment, resignations. Network: CBS.

      8. Cronkite/Graham: Resignation of three lawyers which worked on Watergate case against Kleindienst. Time Code Start: 17:43. Keywords: Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals, impeachment, resignations. Network: CBS.

      9. Cronkite/Osgoode: The Kissinger shuttle (Secretary of State Kissinger). Time Code Start: 19:15. Keywords: cabinet, advisors. Network: CBS.

Context (External Sources)