May 31, 1974

The Daily Diary files represent a consolidated record of the President's activities. Visit the finding aid to learn more.

• Original typewritten diary (PDF)

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.

• Statement Announcing a Trade Agreement Between the European Economic Community and the United States
• Statement Announcing Establishment of a Veterans Administration Man-on-the-Campus Program
• Statement on Signing Two Bills Providing for Improvement of Veterans Benefits.
• Proclamation 4295—Flag Day and National Flag Week, 1974

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.

• Federal Register of Friday, May 31, 1974

The Congressional Record is the official daily record of the debates and proceedings of the U.S. Congress.

• Senate: May 31, 1974
• Extensions of Remarks: May 31, 1974

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.

• News Summaries, Unmarked News Summaries, Box 70, News Summaries - May 1974 [19 of 20] [Note: Due to the way News Summary products were compiled, you should also consult nearby days for potentially relevant materials.]
  • News Summary, May 31, 1974, (Thurs. nets, wires)
• News Summaries, Unmarked News Summaries, Box 70, News Summaries - May 1974 [20 of 20]
  • Review of Fri. Papers, Other Comment, May 31, 1974

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

• Text search for May 31, 1974
• Date search for May 31, 1974

All National Archives Units

• Text search for May 31, 1974
• Date search for May 31, 1974

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.

• President's Daily Brief of 31 May 1974

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. XV, Soviet Union, June 1972-August 1974

Summit Preparations, April-May 1974

• 183. Memorandum From the Counselor of the Department of State (Sonnenfeldt) to Secretary of State Kissinger, Washington, May 31, 1974

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Kissinger Office Files, Box 69, Dobrynin/Kissinger, Vol. 23, May–June 1974. Secret; Eyes Only.

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

Syrian-Israeli Disengagement Agreement, January-May 1974

• 87. Letter From President Nixon to Israeli Prime Minister Meir, Washington, May 31, 1974

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Kissinger Office Files, Box 136, Country Files, Middle East, Dinitz, January 1–July 1, 1974. Secret. A handwritten notation at the top of the first page reads, “Peter Rodman hand delivered to Min. Shalev 6/9/74, 5:00 p.m.” A handwritten notation at the bottom of the second page reads, “I shall look forward to seeing you in a few days.”

• 88. Syrian-Israeli Disengagement Agreement, Geneva, May 31, 1974

  Source: National Archives, RG 59, Records of Joseph Sisco, Box 32, Briefing Book: Syrian-Israeli Disengagement Documents, Under Secretary Sisco. No classification marking. All three signers, Shafir, Shihabi, Siilasvuo, initialed each page. The agreement, accompanying protocol (Document 89), and attached map (Document 90) were published in the New York Times, May 31, 1974. For the final map agreed to by the Syrians and the Israelis, see Appendix B, Map 2.

• 89. Protocol to the Syrian-Israeli Disengagement Agreement, Geneva, May 31, 1974

  Source: National Archives, RG 59, Records of Joseph Sisco, Box 32, Briefing Book: Syrian-Israeli Disengagement Documents, Under Secretary Sisco. No classification marking. All three signers, Shafir, Shihabi, and Siilasvuo, initialed each page. There is an addendum to the protocol sent from President Nixon to Prime Minister Meir that states “the Government of Syria agrees to the following on a reciprocal and identical basis: 1. It will refrain from placing any weapons, including SAM’s, which can reach the defense line of the other side in an additional ten-kilometer zone beyond the western edge of the agreed zone of limitation. 2. It agrees that the UNP shall conduct regular inspections to assure compliance with this provision.” There is no signature. (Ibid., Box 33, Briefing Book: Syrian-Israeli Disengagement, 1974, Folder 2)

• 91. Memorandum of Conversation, Washington, May 31, 1974, 10:30 a.m.

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 1029, Presidential/HAK Memcons, May 8–31, 1974, Folder 1. Secret. The meeting was held at the White House. Brackets are in the original. A list of attendees is in the President’s Daily Diary. (Ibid., White House Central Files)

Vol. XXXIX, European Security

Basket III, May-December 1974

• 207. Memorandum of Conversation, Washington, May 31, 1974

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 1029, MemCons—HAK & Presidential. Secret; Nodis. The conversation took place in the Oval Office. According to the President’s Daily Diary, the meeting was held over breakfast from 8:33 to 10:25 a.m. (Ibid., White House Central Files, President’s Daily Diary)

Vol. E-8, Documents on South Asia, 1973-1976

Indian Ocean Region

• 76. Telegram 113772 From the Department of State to the Embassy in Turkey, Washington, May 31, 1974, 2231Z

  At the CENTO ministerial meeting in Washington, the alliance members discussed the consequences of the Indian nuclear explosion. Pakistan pressed for a strongly worded statement of disapproval and once again “expressed scorn” for CENTO. The ministers also debated the subject of political guidance and approved measures to increase the amount of economic aid given by the United States and United Kingdom to the regional members.
  
  Source: National Archives, RG 84, New Delhi Embassy Files: Lot 78 F 45, DEF 4, Collective Defense Pacts & Alliances 1974. Confidential. It was drafted by NEA and repeated to Islamabad, London, Tehran, New Delhi, and Moscow.

Vol. E-9, Part 2, Documents on the Middle East Region, 1973-1976

Middle East Region

• 21. Interagency Intelligence Memorandum, Washington, May 31, 1974

  Summary: The intelligence community assessed the security situation in the Gulf region after the Arab-Israeli War of October 1973.
  
  Source: Central Intelligence Agency, NIC Files, Job 79R01099A, Box 12, Folder 9, The Security Situation in the Arabian Peninsula-Persian Gulf. Secret; [handling restriction not declassified].

Vol. E-14, Part 1, Documents on the United Nations, 1973-1976

United Nations Affairs

• 15. Memorandum of Conversation, Washington, May 31, 1974, 1 p.m., Washington, May 31, 1974, 1 p.m.

  Kissinger discussed with a group of outside experts how to develop policies concerning emerging international issues affecting developing nations.
  
  Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files, P820050–0597. Confidential; Nodis. Drafted by Boeker on June 14 and approved by Bremer on June 19. The meeting was held in the Madison/Monroe Dining Room. The speech referred to is Kissinger’s address to the Sixth Special Session of the United Nations General Assembly on April 15, published in Department of State Bulletin, May 6, 1974, pp. 477–482.

Population Policy

• 114. Memorandum of Conversation, Washington, May 31, 1974, 1 p.m., Washington, May 31, 1974, 1 p.m.

  Kissinger discussed international population policy with a group of experts from outside government.
  
  Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files, P820050–0597. Confidential; Nodis. Approved by Bremer on June 19. The meeting took place in the Madison/Monroe dining room. For Kissinger’s address to the Sixth Special Session of the United Nations General Assembly on April 15, see Department of State Bulletin, May 6, 1974, pp. 477–482. The referenced NSSM on population is published as Document 113.

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.

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-E2850 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-E2850-03A, President Nixon seated at the dining table during a breakfast meeting with Secretary Henry Kissinger, General Alexander Haig and General Brent Scowcroft, following Kissinger's return from the Golan Heights settlement. 5/31/1974, Washington, D.C. White House, first floor family dining room. President Nixon, Henry A. Kissinger, Alexander Haig, General Brent Scowcroft.
• Frame(s): WHPO-E2850-03A-10A, President Nixon seated at the dining table during a breakfast meeting with Secretary Henry Kissinger, General Alexander Haig and General Brent Scowcroft, following Kissinger's return from the Golan Heights settlement. 5/31/1974, Washington, D.C. White House, first floor family dining room. President Nixon, Henry A. Kissinger, Alexander Haig, General Brent Scowcroft.
• Frame(s): WHPO-E2850-10A, President Nixon seen seated at the dining table with Henry Kissinger during their breakfast meeting with General Alexander Haig and General Brent Scowcroft (not pictured) following Kissinger's return from the Golan Heights settlement. 5/31/1974, Washington, D.C. White House, first floor family dining room. President Nixon, Henry A. Kissinger.

Roll WHPO-E2851 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-E2851-04-11, President Nixon seated at the dining table during a breakfast meeting with Secretary Henry Kissinger, General Alexander Haig and Gen. Brent Scowcroft, following Kissinger's return from the Golan Heights settlement. 5/31/1974, Washington, D. C. White House, first floor family dining room. President Nixon, Henry A. Kissinger, Alexander Haig, Brent Scowcroft.
• Frame(s): WHPO-E2851-06, President Nixon seated at the dining table during a breakfast meeting with Secretary Henry Kissinger and General Alexander Haig following Henry Kissinger's return from the Golan Heights settlement. 5/31/1974, Washington, D. C. White House, first floor family dining room. President Nixon, Henry A. Kissinger, Alexander Haig.
• Frame(s): WHPO-E2851-11, President Nixon seated at the dining table with Henry Kissinger during their breakfast meeting with General Alexander Haig and General Brent Scowcroft (both not pictured) following Kissinger's return from the Golan Heights settlement. 5/31/1974, Washington, D. C. White House, first floor family dining room. President Nixon, Henry A. Kissinger.

Roll WHPO-E2852 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-E2852-, President Nixon and Henry Kissinger walking down the loggia Collonade with General Alexander Haig and General Brent Scowcroft following a breakfast meeting to report on the Golan Heights cease-fire. 5/31/1974, Washington, D. C. White House hallway. President Nixon, Henry A. Kissinger, Alexander Haig, Brent Scowcroft, unidentified aides.
• Frame(s): WHPO-E2852-, President Nixon and Henry Kissinger walking in the Rose Garden while reporting on the Golan Heights cease-fire. 5/31/1974, Washington, D. C. White House. President Nixon, Henry A. Kissinger, Alexander Haig, Brent Scowcroft.
• Frame(s): WHPO-E2852-11, President Nixon and Henry Kissinger walking down the loggia Collonade with General Alexander Haig and General Brent Scowcroft following a breakfast meeting to report on the Golan Heights cease-fire. 5/31/1974, Washington, D. C. White House hallway. President Nixon, Henry A. Kissinger, Alexander Haig, Brent Scowcroft, unidentified aides.

Roll WHPO-E2853 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-E2853-, President Nixon and Henry Kissinger walking in the White House rose Garden following a breakfast meeting to report on the Golan Heights cease-fire. 5/31/1974, Washington, D. C. White House. President Nixon, Henry A. Kissinger.
• Frame(s): WHPO-E2853-31, President Nixon and Henry Kissinger walking in the White House rose Garden following a breakfast meeting to report on the Golan Heights cease-fire. 5/31/1974, Washington, D. C. White House. President Nixon, Henry A. Kissinger.

Roll WHPO-E2854 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-E2854-04A-16A, President Nixon, Vice President Ford and Secretary of State Henry Kissinger briefing bi-partisan Congressional Leadership on Middle East Peace Syrian-Israeli disengagement agreement. 5/31/1974, Washington, D. C. White House, Cabinet meeting room. President Nixon, Henry Kissinger, Senators: James O. Eastland (D-Mississippi), Majority Leader Mike Mansfield (D-Montana), Minority Leader Hugh Scott (R-Pennsylvania), Robert C. Byrd (D-West Virginia), John C. Stennis (D-Mississippi), John L. McClellan (D-Arkansas), Robert P. Griffin (R-Michigan), John G. Tower (R-Texas), Milton R. Young (R-North Dakota), George D. Aiken (R-Vermont). Congressmen: Speaker of the House Carl B. PLlbert (D-Oklahoma), House Majority Leader Thomas P. O'Neill, Jr. (D-Massachusetts), John J. McFall (D-California), F. Edward Hebert (D-Louisiana), Congressman George H. Mahon (D-Texas) Congressman Clement J. Zablocki (D-Wisconsin) Congressman John B. Anderson (R-Illinois) Congressman Barber B. Conable, Jr. (R-New York) Congressman Bob Wilson (R-California) Congressman Elford A. Cederberg (R-Michigan) Congressman William S. Broomfield (R-Michigan) White House staff Anne Armstrong, Counsellor Dean Burch, Counsellor Kenneth Rush, Counsellor Alexander M. Haig, Jr., Assistant Robert T. Hartmann, Assistant to Vice President Ford Ronald L. Ziegler, Assistant. Maj. Gen. Brent G. Scowcroft, Deputy Assistant. William E. Timmons, Assistant. Tom C. Korologos, Deputy Assistant. Max L. Friedersdorf, Deputy Assistant. David R. Gergen, Special Assistant.
• Frame(s): WHPO-E2854-11A, President Nixon, Vice President Ford and Secretary of State Henry Kissinger briefing bi-partisan Congressional Leadership on Middle East Peace Syrian-Israeli disengagement agreement. 5/31/1974, Washington, D. C. White House, Cabinet meeting room. President Nixon, Henry Kissinger, Gerald Ford, unidentified congressmen, unidentified members of the press.

Roll WHPO-E2859 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-E2859-05A-11A, President Nixon seated at his desk while speaking with Dean Burch, Alexander Haig and (possibly) Kenneth R. Cole, Jr. and Kenneth Rush. 5/31/1974, Washington D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Dean Burch, Alexander Haig, (possibly) Kenneth R. Cole, Jr. and Kenneth Rush.
• Frame(s): WHPO-E2859-11A, President Nixon seated at his desk while speaking with Dean Burch, Alexander Haig and (possibly) Kenneth R. Cole, Jr. and Kenneth Rush. 5/31/1974, Washington D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Dean Burch, Alexander Haig, (possibly) Kenneth R. Cole, Jr. and Kenneth Rush.

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-192
  Photo opportunity with HARose Garden. (5/31/1974)
  
  Runtime: 1:20
  
  Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.
• WHCA-SR-K-193
  Photo opportunity with Bi-partisan Congressional Leadership meeting. (5/31/1974)
  
  Runtime: 1:15
  
  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-620
  Press briefing by Gerald Warren, preceded by pool report on President's photo opportunity with Secretary of State Henry A. Kissinger. (5/31/1974, White House Press Lobby)
  
  Runtime: 21:24
  
  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-6973
  Weekly News Summary, Tape II.
  ALL NETWORKS
  Runtime: 01:35:00
  
  22. Smith/Schoumacher: White House tapes. Time Code Start: 54:51. Keywords: bugging, bugs, wiretapping, wire taps, surveillance, spying, recordings, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, scandals. Network: ABC.
  
  23. Smith: Supreme Court ruling on tapes. Time Code Start: 56:54. Keywords: bugging, bugs, wiretapping, wire taps, surveillance, spying, recordings, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, scandals. Network: ABC.
  
  24. Smith: Watergate and the milk fund. Time Code Start: 57:15. Keywords: Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals, impeachment, resignations. Network: ABC.
  
  25. Smith/Jarriel: Secretary of State Kissinger at the White House. Time Code Start: 58:00. Keywords: cabinet, advisors. Network: ABC.
  
  26. Reasoner/Dunsmore: Secretary of State Kissinger's record in the Middle East. Time Code Start: 60:19. Keywords: Middle East, Mideast, war, cabinet, advisors, travel, trips, truces, treaty, treaties, negotiations. Network: ABC.
  
  27. Reasoner/Miller: Peoria, Illinois polled on impeachment. Time Code Start: 61:55. Keywords: Presidents, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, impeachment, public opinions, polls, approval ratings, Gallup poll, Harris poll. Network: ABC.
  
  28. Smith: Commentary on peace in the world. Time Code Start: 65:20. Keywords: wars, truces, treaty, treaties, ceasefires. Network: ABC.
  
  29. Chancellor/Stern: Supreme Court will hear tapes case. Time Code Start: 67:10. 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.
  
  30. Chancellor/Brokaw: White House reaction to Supreme Court ruling. Time Code Start: 69:00. Keywords: law officials, judges, justices, rulings, decisions, recordings, bugging, bugs, wiretapping, wire taps, surveillance, spying, Watergate, Senate Committee hearings, impeachment, resignations. Network: NBC.
  
  31. Chancellor/Burrington: Israel and Syria sign pact without newsmen or the press attending. Time Code Start: 70:34. Keywords: Middle East, Mideast, war, Israeli, Syrian, signings, truces, treaty, treaties, signing ceremony. Network: NBC.
  
  32. Chancellor/Valeriani: Secretary of State Kissinger returns home and meets with President Nixon. Time Code Start: 73:20. Keywords: Presidents, cabinet, advisors, meetings. Network: NBC.
  
  33. Chancellor/Valeriani: A review of Secretary of State Kissinger's 32 day trip to the Middle East. Time Code Start: 76:49. Keywords: Middle East, Mideast, war, cabinet, advisors, travel, trips, truces, treaty, treaties, negotiations. Network: NBC.
  
  34. Cronkite/Graham: Supreme Court will hear tapes case. Time Code Start: 78:55. 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.
  
  35. Cronkite/Morton: House Judiciary Committee to stay behind with Senators Griffin and Byrd. Time Code Start: 80:23. Keywords: Senate committee hearings, Watergate, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals, impeachment, resignations. Network: CBS.
  
  36. Cronkite/Schorr: Watergate Committee milk fund investigation report. Time Code Start: 84:30. Keywords: Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals, impeachment, resignations. Network: CBS.
  
  37. Cronkite/Rather: Secretary of State Kissinger meets with President Nixon. Time Code Start: 86:10. Keywords: Presidents, cabinet, advisors, meetings. Network: CBS.

• New York Times of May 31, 1974

• AP Images photos from May 31, 1974
• Getty Images photos from May 31, 1974

The Vanderbilt Television News Archive is the world's most extensive and complete archive of television news. They have been recording, preserving and providing access to television news broadcasts of the national networks since August 5, 1968.

• May 1974 Broadcast Index

Wikipedia is a free encyclopedia that anyone can edit.

• May 31, 1974