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May 7, 1974

Introduction

This almanac page for Tuesday, May 7, 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: Monday, May 6, 1974

Next Date: Wednesday, May 8, 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.

  • 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

    • 47. Memorandum of Conversation, Jerusalem, May 7, 1974, 9:07-11:15 p.m.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Records of Henry Kissinger, 1973–77, Box 7, Nodis Memcons, March 1974, Folder 1. Secret; Nodis. The meeting was held at the Prime Minister’s office in Jerusalem.

    Vol. XXXIX, European Security

    U.S.-Soviet Bilaterals, September 1973-May 1974

    • 203. Memorandum of Conversation, Nicosia, May 7, 1974, 12:30-3:15 p.m.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, Kissinger Office Files, Box 71, Gromyko 1973. Secret; Sensitive; Nodis. Drafted by Rodman. The conversation took place at the Presidential Palace. Kissinger was in Nicosia to discuss the Middle East and U.S.-Soviet relations with Gromyko.

    Vol. E-11, Part 2, Documents on South America, 1973-1976

    Colombia

    • 263. Telegram 3911 From the Embassy in Colombia to the Department of State, Bogota, May 7, 1974, 1630Z

      Summary: Vaky and Lopez discussed inter-American relations and trade and investment policy.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D740110–0637. Confidential; Limdis. In telegram 45858 to Bogotá, March 7, the Department of State informed the Embassy that the Department of the Treasury was preparing to announce the initiation of a Countervailing Duty Proceeding in response to a Colombian tax-credit system for exports of cut flowers. (Ibid.) In telegram 2500 from Bogotá, March 25, the Embassy sent a summary of a letter from Vázquez to Kissinger in which the Foreign Minister maintained the export promotion system did not constitute a subsidy. (Ibid.) CATs were negotiable certificates issued by the Colombian Government which businesses could use to pay taxes. (Telegram 2632 from Bogotá, March 29; ibid.) The reference to a “nickel project” relates to plans by the Hanna/Chevron company to invest in Colombia. (Telegram 9519 from Bogotá, November 20, 1973; ibid.)

    Vol. E-15, Part 2, Documents on Western Europe, 1973-1976, Second, Revised Edition

    Federal Republic of Germany, 1973-1976

    • 279. Telegram 7304 From the Embassy in the Federal Republic of Germany to the Department of State, Bonn, May 7, 1974, 1455Z

      Summary: The Embassy discussed Brandt’s May 6 resignation as Chancellor.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files, 1974, [no film number]. Confidential; Immediate. Sent immediate for information to Damascus, Tel Aviv, Nicosia, Moscow, and Jerusalem. Sent priority for information to Vienna, Stockholm, the Mission in Geneva, the Mission to the EC, and the Mission to NATO. Sent for information to Ankara, Athens, Brussels, Copenhagen, The Hague, Lisbon, London, Luxembourg, Oslo, Ottawa, Paris, Reykjavik, Rome, Belgrade, Bucharest, Budapest, Prague, Sofia, Warsaw, the Mission in Berlin, Bremen, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Munich, Stuttgart, CINCUSAFE Ramstein, CINCEUR Vaihingen, CINCUSAREUR Heidelberg, and USNMR SHAPE.

  • 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-E2726 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2726-, President Nixon seated at his desk during a meeting to discuss the economic situation with the advisors of the Troika. 5/7/1974, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, James T. Lynn, Secretary of HUD. William E. Simon, Secretary-designate of the Treasury. George P. Shultz, departing Secretary of the Treasury. Herbert Stein, Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers (CEA). Roy L. Ash, Director of the OMB. Alexander M. Haig, Jr., Assistant.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2726-05A, President Nixon seated at his desk during a meeting to discuss the economic situation with the advisors of the Troika. 5/7/1974, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, James T. Lynn, Secretary of HUD. William E. Simon, Secretary-designate of the Treasury. George P. Shultz, departing Secretary of the Treasury. Herbert Stein, Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers (CEA). Roy L. Ash, Director of the OMB. Alexander M. Haig, Jr., Assistant.

    Roll WHPO-E2730 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2730-, President Nixon signs H.R. 11793, Federal Energy Administration Act of 1974 while seated in the Oval Office with legislators standing nearby. 5/7/1974, Washington, D.C. Oval Office. President Nixon, Secretary of the Interior Rogers C. B. Morton. William E. Simon, Secretary-designate of the Treasury and Administrator of the Federal Energy Office (FEO). John C. Sawhill, Deputy Administrator of the FEO. Senator Abraham A. Ribicoff (D-Connecticut), Senator Paul J. Fannin (R-Arizona). Congressman Chet Holifield (D-Ca1ifornia). Congressman Frank Horton (R-New York), Cong. John N. Erlenborn (R-Illinois), Cong. John W. Wydler (R-New York). Richard M. Fairbanks, former Associate Director of Domestic Council and law partner with Ruckelshaus, Beveridge and Fairbanks. Glenn Schleede, Associate Director of the Domestic Council. Stanley Ebner, General Counsel, OMB Herbert Roback, Staff Director, House Government Operations Committee Eli E. Nobleman, Professional Staff Member, Majority Staff, Senate Committee on Government Operations Paul Hoff, Legislative Counsel, Senate Subcommittee on Reorganization, Research, and International Organizations Dennis Bakke, Executive Assistant to the Deputy Administrator, FEO.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2730-12A, President Nixon reaches out to a legislator leaning over his desk after signing the H.R. 11793, Federal Energy Administration Act of 1974. 5/7/1974, Washington, D.C. Oval Office. President Nixon, Secretary of the Interior Rogers C. B. Morton. William E. Simon, Secretary-designate of the Treasury and Administrator of the Federal Energy Office (FEO). John C. Sawhill, Deputy Administrator of the FEO. Senator Abraham A. Ribicoff (D-Connecticut), Senator Paul J. Fannin (R-Arizona). Congressman Chet Holifield (D-Ca1ifornia). Congressman Frank Horton (R-New York), Cong. John N. Erlenborn (R-Illinois), Cong. John W. Wydler (R-New York). Richard M. Fairbanks, former Associate Director of Domestic Council and law partner with Ruckelshaus, Beveridge and Fairbanks. Glenn Schleede, Associate Director of the Domestic Council. Stanley Ebner, General Counsel, OMB Herbert Roback, Staff Director, House Government Operations Committee Eli E. Nobleman, Professional Staff Member, Majority Staff, Senate Committee on Government Operations Paul Hoff, Legislative Counsel, Senate Subcommittee on Reorganization, Research, and International Organizations Dennis Bakke, Executive Assistant to the Deputy Administrator, FEO.

    Roll WHPO-E2731 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2731-, Federal Energy Administration Act of 1974 while seated in the Oval Office with legislators standing nearby. 5/7/1974, Washington, D.C. Secretary of the Interior Rogers C. B. Morton. William E. Simon, Secretary-designate of the Treasury and Administrator of the Federal Energy Office (FEO). John C. Sawhill, Deputy Administrator of the FEO. Senator Abraham A. Ribicoff (D-Connecticut), Senator Paul J. Fannin (R-Arizona). Congressman Chet Holifield (D-Ca1ifornia). Congressman Frank Horton (R-New York), Cong. John N. Erlenborn (R-Illinois), Cong. John W. Wydler (R-New York). Richard M. Fairbanks, former Associate Director of Domestic Council and law partner with Ruckelshaus, Beveridge and Fairbanks. Glenn Schleede, Associate Director of the Domestic Council. Stanley Ebner, General Counsel, OMB Herbert Roback, Staff Director, House Government Operations Committee Eli E. Nobleman, Professional Staff Member, Majority Staff, Senate Committee on Government Operations Paul Hoff, Legislative Counsel, Senate Subcommittee on Reorganization, Research, and International Organizations Dennis Bakke, Executive Assistant to the Deputy Administrator, FEO.

    Roll WHPO-E2732 Photographer: FITZPATRICK | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2732-, James St. Clair briefing members of the press. 5/7/1974, Washington, D.C. White House, North Lawn.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2732-06, James St. Clair briefing members of the press. 5/7/1974, Washington, D.C. White House, North Lawn.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2732-10, James St. Clair briefing members of the press. 5/7/1974, Washington, D.C. White House, North Lawn.

    Roll WHPO-E2733 Photographer: FITZPATRICK | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2733-, James St. Clair briefing members of the press. 5/7/1974, Washington, D.C. Executive Office Building.

    Roll WHPO-E2734 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E2734-, James St. Clair briefing members of the press. 5/7/1974, Washington, D.C. Executive Office Building.

  • 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-176
      Photo opportunity with Nikolai V. Podgorny of USSR-Amb. Residence, Paris. (5/7/1974)

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

    P - Formal Presidential Remarks

    • WHCA-SR-P-740506
      Remarks by President Nixon at signing of Federal Energy Act. (5/7/1974)

      Runtime: 4:59

      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-579
      Press briefing by Gerald Warren. (5/7/1974, White House Press Lobby)

      Runtime: 37:00:00

      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.
    • WHCA-SR-S-580
      Press briefing by John T. Sawhill. (5/7/1974, White House Press Lobby)

      Runtime: 16:40

      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-6926
      "The Tomorrow Show".
      NBC
      Runtime: 1:00
    • WHCA-6937
      Weekly News Summary, Tape I.
      ALL NETWORKS
      Runtime: 1:30

      16. Reasoner/Jarriel/Schoumacher: No more Watergate tapes with President Nixon's attorney St. Clair. Time Code Start: 30:28. Keywords: law officials, attorneys, lawyers, bugging, bugs, wiretapping, wire taps, surveillance, spying, recordings, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, scandals. Network: ABC.

      17. Reasoner: Senator Scott reaction to transcript. Time Code Start: 33:50. Keywords: Watergate, Senate Committee hearings, investigations, scandals, impeachment, resignations, recordings, Presidents, releases bugging, bugs, wiretapping, wire taps, surveillance, spying. Network: ABC.

      18. Reasoner/Donaldson: House reaction to transcripts. Time Code Start: 34:35. Keywords: documents, transcriptions, bugging, bugs, wiretapping, wire taps, surveillance, spying, recordings, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, scandals. Network: ABC.

      19. Reasoner/Zimmerman: Vice President Gerald Ford on foreign policy. Time Code Start: 36:53. Keywords: Vice Presidents, world, politics, diplomacy. Network: ABC.

      20. Reasoner/Koppel: Secretary of State Kissinger in Cyprus. Time Code Start: 39:00. Keywords: cabinet, advisors, travel, trips, Eastern Mediterranean. Network: ABC.

      21. Reasoner: Commentary on President Nixon's troubles. Time Code Start: 42:05. Keywords: Presidents,. Network: ABC.

      22. Chancellor/Brokaw: President Nixon isn’t going to give up any more tapes with Nixon attorney St. Clair. Time Code Start: 43:57. 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.

      23. Chancellor/Scherer: Response to President Nixon's statement by judiciary committee. Time Code Start: 46:19. Keywords: Senate Committee hearings, Watergate, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals, impeachment, resignations. Network: NBC.

      24. Chancellor: Senator Scott's appraisal of transcripts. Time Code Start: 47:40. Keywords: documents, transcriptions, bugging, bugs, wiretapping, wire taps, surveillance, spying, recordings, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, scandals. Network: NBC.

      25. Chancellor/Nessen: Statements made by Vice President Gerald Ford about President Nixon. Time Code Start: 48:15. Keywords: Vice Presidents, speeches, statements, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals, impeachment, resignations. Network: NBC.

      26. Chancellor/Valeriani: Secretary of State Kissinger meets with United Nations (U.N.) Ambassador Gromyko, Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs on Cyprus. Time Code Start: 50:15. Keywords: Russia, Soviet Union, USSR, Cold War, , cabinet, advisors, meetings, travels, Eastern Mediterranean, Ambassadors, organization of nations, intergovernmental alliance. Network: NBC.

      27. Chancellor/Levine: President Nixon meets with Council of Economic Advisors (CEA) with Secretary of Agriculture Butz and Sawhill of the Federal Energy Office (FEO). Time Code Start: 52:13. Keywords: C.E.A., Presidents, meetings, cabinet, energy crisis, oil crisis, petroleum, oil supply, gasoline, fuel, shortages, rationing, allocations. Network: NBC.

      28. Chancellor/Brinkley's Journal: Effect of chicken farmers in Washington, D.C.. Time Code Start: 54:14. Keywords: agriculture, farming, agriculture, farming, politicking, lobbys, lobbyists. Network: NBC.

      29. Cronkite/Pierpoint: President Nixon isn't going to give up any more tapes with Nixon attorney St. Clair. Time Code Start: 56:03. 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.

      30. Cronkite/Mudd: Republican leaders feel transcripts hurt President Nixon. Time Code Start: 58:12. Keywords: documents, transcriptions, bugging, bugs, wiretapping, wire taps, surveillance, spying, recordings, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, scandals. Network: CBS.

      31. Cronkite/Jones: Statements made by Vice President Gerald Ford about President Nixon. Time Code Start: 60:45. Keywords: Vice Presidents, speeches, statements, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals, impeachment, resignations. Network: CBS.

      32. Cronkite/Morton: Reaction from judiciary committee on President Nixon statement with Representative Conyers. Time Code Start: 62:40. Keywords: Senate Committee hearings, Watergate, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals, impeachment, resignations. Network: CBS.

      33. Cronkite/Schorr: The discrepancies between tapes and transcripts. Time Code Start: 64:28. Keywords: documents, transcriptions, bugging, bugs, wiretapping, wire taps, surveillance, spying, recordings, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, scandals. Network: CBS.

      34. Cronkite/Kalb: Secretary of State Kissinger meets with United Nations (U.N.) Ambassador Gromyko, Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs on Cyprus. Time Code Start: 66:36. Keywords: Russia, Soviet Union, USSR, Cold War, Eastern Mediterranean, Ambassadors, organization of nations, intergovernmental alliance, cabinet, advisors. Network: CBS.

      35. Cronkite/Sevareid analysis: Effect of Watergate on '74 campaign. Time Code Start: 68:00. Keywords: Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals, impeachment, resignations. Network: CBS.

Context (External Sources)