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May 3, 1974

Introduction

This almanac page for Friday, May 3, 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: Thursday, May 2, 1974

Next Date: Saturday, May 4, 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.

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

    Vol. XXX, Greece; Cyprus; Turkey, 1973-1976

    Turkey

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

    Space and Telecommunications

    • 94. Paper Prepared by the Department of State, Washington, May 3, 1974

      The paper discussed issues related to the draft Moon Treaty likely to arise during negotiations at the May 1974 session of the Legal Sub-Committee of the UN Outer Space Committee.

      Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 59, L/OA Files, Lot 99 D 369, Box 8, Space—1974. Confidential. Drafted by Black; and cleared in L/UNA, S/P, NASA/I, USUN, IO/UNP, EUR/SOV, NASA–G, and DOD/ISA. Attached but not published is an undated proposal to reconfigure the order of articles in the draft Moon Treaty.

  • 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-E2696 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2696-, President Nixon shaking hands with John McLaughlin in the Oval Office. 5/3/1974, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, John McLaughlin.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2696-08, President Nixon shaking hands with John McLaughlin in the Oval Office. 5/3/1974, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, John McLaughlin.

    Roll WHPO-E2698 Photographer: Moore, Robert (Supervisor/Director, WHPO Photographic Laboratory) | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2698-, President Nixon delivering a speech. 5/3/1974, Phoenix, Arizona unknown.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2698-12, President Nixon delivering a speech. 5/3/1974, Phoenix, Arizona unknown.

    Roll WHPO-E2699 Photographer: Moore, Robert (Supervisor/Director, WHPO Photographic Laboratory) | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2699-, President Nixon at a rally held by supporters. 5/3/1974, Phoenix, Arizona unknown.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2699-05A, President Nixon at a rally held by supporters. 5/3/1974, Phoenix, Arizona unknown.

    Roll WHPO-E2700 Photographer: Moore, Robert (Supervisor/Director, WHPO Photographic Laboratory) | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2700-02A-05A, President Nixon arrives at Phoenix, Arizona. 5/3/1974, Phoenix, Arizona unknown.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2700-06A-11A, Supporters of President Nixon hold up signs at a rally. 5/3/1974, Phoenix, Arizona unknown.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2700-12A-23A, Unidentified speaker at rally for President Nixon. 5/3/1974, Phoenix, Arizona unknown.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2700-20A-23A, President Nixon sitting at a rally. 5/3/1974, Phoenix, Arizona unknown.

    Roll WHPO-E2701 Photographer: Moore, Robert (Supervisor/Director, WHPO Photographic Laboratory) | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2701-, A rally held in order to support President Nixon. 5/3/1974, Phoenix, Arizona unknown.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2701-, President Nixon arrives in Phoenix, Arizona. 5/3/1974, Phoenix, Arizona unknown.

    Roll WHPO-E2702 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2702-, President Nixon at rally held in order to support him. 5/3/1974, Phoenix, Arizona unknown.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2702-21, President Nixon at rally held in order to support him. 5/3/1974, Phoenix, Arizona unknown.

    Roll WHPO-E2703 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2703-, President Nixon on stage in Phoenix at the Barry Goldwater event Support the President rally. 5/3/1974, Phoenix, Arizona unknown.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2703-17A, President Nixon on stage in Phoenix at the Barry Goldwater event Support the President rally. 5/3/1974, Phoenix, Arizona unknown.

    Roll WHPO-E2704 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2704-, President Nixon on stage at Barry Goldwater's Support the President rally. 5/3/1974, Phoenix, Arizona unknown.

    Roll WHPO-E2705 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2705-, Crowd at Barry Goldwater's Support the President rally. 5/3/1974, Phoenix, Arizona unknown.

    Roll WHPO-E2715 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2715-, President Nixon speaking with people in a crowd. 5/3/1974, Phoenix, Arizona Camelback Motel.

    Roll WHPO-E2716 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2716-, President Nixon speaking to unidentified individuals. 5/3/1974, Phoenix, Arizona unknown. President Nixon, Senator Barry Goldwater, unidentified officials, crowd.

    Roll WHPO-E2717 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2717-, President Nixon at Senator Barry Goldwater's home. 5/3/1974, Phoenix, Arizona President Nixon, Senator Barry Goldwater, unidentified officials.

  • 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-184
      Arrival/Airport and Camelback Inn-Phoenix, AZ. (5/3/1974)

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

    P - Formal Presidential Remarks

    • WHCA-SR-P-740502
      Remarks by President Nixon to Arizona Republican Committee in Veterans Coliseum in Phoenix. (5/3/1974)

      Runtime: 31:50:00

      Keywords: weather, natural disasters, storms, tornado, 1974 Super Tornado, 1974 Super Outbreak

      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-575
      Veterans' Ad Hoc Committee, with other speakers William Clements and Brent Scowcroft. (5/3/1974, Family Theater)

      Runtime: 1:03:43

      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.
    • WHCA-SR-S-576
      Presentation of the AAA Gold Medal Lifesaving Awards by Pam Powell. (5/3/1974, State Dining Room)

      Runtime: 26:00:00

      Keywords: ceremonies

      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-6918
      "Panorama".
      CBS
      Runtime: 0:30
    • WHCA-6924
      Weekly News Summary, Tape III.
      ALL NETWORKS
      Runtime: 1:00

      1. Reasoner/Koppel: Secretary of State Kissinger talks to President Hafez al-Assad of Syria. Time Code Start: 00:00. Keywords: Presidents, travel, trips, Middle East, Mideast, meetings, cabinet, advisors, Syrian. Network: ABC.

      2. Smith/Clark: President Nixon rally in Phoenix, Arizona with Senator Fannin and Senator Bake. Time Code Start: 02:03. Keywords: Presidents, travel, trips, Nixon trips, domestic. Network: ABC.

      3. Smith/Kaestner: President Nixon flies to Spokane, WA, tomorrow for opening of controversial Expo `74; 4 environmental groups to boycott fair, Sierra Club Dr. Thatcher Hubbard concerned over social, environmental, traffic, noise problems;. Time Code Start: 04:32. Keywords: Presidents, travel, trips, Nixon trips, domestic, fairs, shows, activists, criticisms, protests, boycotts. Network: ABC.

      4. Reasoner: Commentary on tape transcripts. Time Code Start: 07:56. Keywords: documents, transcriptions, bugging, bugs, wiretapping, wire taps, surveillance, spying, recordings, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, scandals. Network: ABC.

      5. Utley/Levine: Unemployment and construction. Time Code Start: 09:55. Keywords: jobs, unemployment, statistics , labor, buildings, housing, wages. Network: NBC.

      6. Utley/Brokaw: President Nixon's recent tour of Kruclick. Time Code Start: 12:32. Keywords: Presidents,. Network: NBC.

      7. Utley/Valeriani: Secretary of State Kissinger and his negotiations. Time Code Start: 14:48. Keywords: cabinet, advisors. Network: NBC.

      8. Utley/Paxton: Ohio's Metzenbaum is sued for libel. Time Code Start: 16:33. Keywords: lawsuits, slander, malign, defame, defamation of character. Network: NBC.

      9. Mudd/Pierpoint: President Nixon goes to Phoenix, Arizona. Time Code Start: 19:38. Keywords: Presidents, travel, trips, Nixon trips, domestic. Network: CBS.

      10. Mudd/Graham: Transcripts vagueness is (unintelligible). Time Code Start: 21:10. Keywords: documents, transcriptions, bugging, bugs, wiretapping, wire taps, surveillance, spying, recordings, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, scandals. Network: CBS.

      11. Mudd/Roth: Success of the transcript copies. Time Code Start: 22:50. Keywords: Watergate, Senate Committee hearings, investigations, scandals, impeachment, resignations, recordings, Presidents, releases bugging, bugs, wiretapping, wire taps, surveillance, spying. Network: CBS.

      12. Mudd/Sheahan/Schieffer: U.S. military drug abusers in Turkish jails. Time Code Start: 24:46. Keywords: Middle East, Mideast, Turkey, Armed Forces, troops, arrests, drugs, offences, infractions, criminals, criminality, law breaking, prisons, prisoners, inmates, incarceration,. Network: CBS.

      13. Mudd/Dick: Texan Democratic Primary with Parenthold and Briscoe. Time Code Start: 28:09. Keywords: Presidential elections, campaigns, primaries, voting. Network: CBS.

Context (External Sources)