October 15, 1973

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.

• Remarks on Presenting the Congressional Medal of Honor to Nine Members of the Armed Forces.
• Remarks on Presenting the Presidential Medal of 'Freedom to William P. Rogers and the Presidential Citizens Medal to Adele Rogers
• Executive Order 11741—Federal Agency Use of the Official American Revolution Bicentennial Symbol

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 Monday, October 15, 1973

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

• House of Representatives: October 15, 1973
• Extensions of Remarks: October 15, 1973

Argued

• Bonelli Cattle Company v. Arizona
• Cleveland Board of Education v. LaFleur
• Gateway Coal v. United Mine Workers of America

Decided

• Plummer v. City of Columbus
• Satiacum v. Washington

Granted

• Village of Belle Terre v. Boraas

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 61, News Summaries - October 1973 [9 of 20] [Note: Due to the way News Summary products were compiled, you should also consult nearby days for potentially relevant materials.]
  • Digest of Weekend Comment, October 15, 1973

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.

• President's Speech File
  • Box 88, Monday, October 15, 1973, Medal of Honor Presentation
  • Box 88, Monday, October 15, 1973, Dinner for Hon. and Mrs. William Rogers

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 October 15, 1973
• Date search for October 15, 1973

All National Archives Units

• Text search for October 15, 1973
• Date search for October 15, 1973

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 15 October 1973

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. XXV, Arab-Israeli Crisis and War, 1973

Arab-Israeli Crisis and War, 1973

• 184. Transcript of Telephone Conversation Between Secretary of State Kissinger and Secretary of Defense Schlesinger, Washington, October 15, 1973, 9:08 a.m.

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, Kissinger Telephone Conversations, Transcripts (Telcons), Chronological File, Box 23. No classification marking.

• 185. Transcript of Telephone Conversation Between the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (Moorer) and the Supreme Allied Commander, Europe (Goodpaster), October 15, 1973, 9:20 a.m.

  Source: National Archives, RG 218, Records of Admiral Thomas Moorer, Diary, October 1973. Top Secret. The transcript is an entry in Moorer’s Diary. Moorer was in Washington; Goodpaster was in Brussels.

• 186. Minutes of Washington Special Actions Group Meeting, Washington, October 15, 1973, 10:08-11:08 a.m.

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Institutional Files (H–Files), Box H–117, WSAG Meetings Minutes, Originals, 1973. Top Secret; Nodis; Codeword. The meeting took place in the White House Situation Room.

• 187. Minutes of the Secretary of State’s Staff Meeting, Washington, October 15, 1973, 3:15 p.m.

  Source: National Archives, RG 59, Transcripts of Secretary of State Kissinger’s Staff Meetings, 1973–77: Lot 78 D 443, Box 1, Secretary’s Analytical Staff Meetings. Secret.

• 188. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Jordan, Washington, October 15, 1973, 1815Z

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 618, Country Files, Middle East, Jordan, IX, January–October 1973. Secret; Flash; Nodis. Drafted by Sisco and approved by Kissinger.

Vol. XXXVI, Energy Crisis, 1969-1974

October 6, 1973-March 22, 1974

• 215. Minutes of Washington Special Actions Group Meeting, Washington, October 15, 1973, 10:08-11:08 a.m.

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–117, Washington Special Action Group, WSAG Meeting Minutes (Originals) 10/2/73–7/22/74. Top Secret; Nodis; Codeword. The meeting occurred in the White House Situation Room. The minutes are printed in full in Foreign Relations, 1969–1976, volume XXV, Arab-Israeli Crisis and War, 1973, Document 186.

Vol. E-6, Documents on Africa, 1973-1976

Africa Region

• 13. Memorandum of Conversation, Washington, October 15, 1973, 11:30 a.m.-12:05 p.m.

  Upper Volta President Lamizana expressed appreciation for U.S. assistance to the Sahel and described the need for further action. President Nixon said that he would do his best to provide needed support.
  
  Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Memoranda of Conversations, Box 2, 10/15/73. Confidential. The meeting took place in the Oval Office.

Nigeria

• 203. Telegram 8309 From the Embassy in Nigeria to the Department of State, Lagos, October 15, 1973, 1017Z

  Ambassador Reinhardt reported that hawks within the Nigerian Government would use the failure of Chairman Gowon to obtain a meeting with Nixon as a point on which to harden relations with the United States.
  
  Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Policy Files, 1973. Confidential.

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

Chile

• 147. Memorandum From Rob Roy Ratliff of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), Washington, October 15, 1973

  Summary: Ratliff recommended that Kissinger reapprove a CIA proposal for funding pro-government groups in Chile.
  
  Source: National Security Council Files, Nixon Administration Intelligence Files, Minutes of 40 Committee. Secret; Sensitive; Eyes Only; Outside the System. Scowcroft approved for Kissinger on October 15. Jorden concurred with Ratliff’s recommendation. Attached but not published is Tab A, a memorandum for the 40 Committee, October 10. In a Memorandum for the Record, October 15, Ratliff noted that the 40 Committee had telephonically approved the recommendation. (Ibid.) The Agency’s determination that the previous 40 Committee approval was invalid is discussed in Foreign Relations, 1969–1976, vol. XXI, Chile, 1969–1973, Document 366. On October 11, Kubisch requested Porter’s approval of the CIA proposal. (Department of State, INR/IL Congressional Liaison Files, 1959–1990: Lot 94D565, James Gardner Chron File) On October 16, Gardner confirmed that Porter thought that it was not necessary to vote on the proposal. (Ibid.)

Vol. E-12, Documents on East and Southeast Asia, 1973-1976

Thailand and Burma

• 375. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon, Washington, October 15, 1973., Washington, October 15, 1973

  Kissinger informed Nixon of the change of government in Thailand and its likely effect on U.S. interests.
  
  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 566, Country Files, Far East, Thailand, Volume 11, October 1973–. Secret. Urgent; Sent for information. Scowcroft initialed the memorandum on behalf of Kissinger. Near the top of the first page, Nixon wrote, “K—Maybe not so bad as we first thought.”

• 376. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to the Deputy Secretary of State (Rush), Washington, October 15, 1973, Washington, October 15, 1973

  Kissinger authorized a schedule for withdrawing Thai forces from Laos.
  
  Source: [text not declassified]. Secret; Sensitive. Kissinger received this memorandum under a covering memorandum, October 10, from William Stearman of the NSC staff.

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

Western Europe Regional, 1973-1976

• 36. Memorandum From Helmut Sonnenfeldt of the National Security Council Staff to Secretary of State Kissinger, Washington, October 15, 1973

  Summary: Sonnenfeldt discussed the relationship between the United States and Western Europe in the context of the October 1973 Middle East war.
  
  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 1335, NSC Secretariat, NSC Unfiled Materials, 1973 (3 of 12). Secret; Sensitive; Exclusively Eyes Only. Sent for urgent attention.

Federal Republic of Germany, 1973-1976

• 271. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to Secretary of State Kissinger, Secretary of the Treasury Shultz, and Secretary of Defense Schlesinger, Washington, October 15, 1973

  Summary: The President requested a study on the unresolved issues arising from NSDM 214, Balance of Payments Offset and Burden-sharing Negotiations with NATO.
  
  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 265, Agency Files, NATO Oct 73–Dec 73, Vol. XVI (3 of 3). Secret. Copies were sent to the DCI, the Director of OMB, and the Chairman of the JCS.

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-E1644 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-E1644-, Melvin Laird conducts a press briefing. 10/15/1973, unknown unknown.

Roll WHPO-E1645 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-E1645-, President Nixon at Medal of Honor presentation ceremony. 10/15/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, East Room.
• Frame(s): WHPO-E1645-, President Nixon at Medal of Honor presentation ceremony. 10/15/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, East Room.

Roll WHPO-E1646 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-E1646-, President Nixon at the Medal of Honor presentation ceremony, and speaking with recipient families. 10/15/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, East Room.
• Frame(s): WHPO-E1646-, President Nixon at the Medal of Honor presentation ceremony, and speaking with recipient families. 10/15/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, East Room.

Roll WHPO-E1647 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-E1647-02-03, President Nixon speaking at Medal of Honor presentation ceremony. 10/15/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, East Room. President Nixon.
• Frame(s): WHPO-E1647-04-16, Medal of Honor Recipients. 10/15/1973, Washington, D.C. White House.

Roll WHPO-E1648 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-E1648-01A-04A, Medal of Honor recipients. 10/15/1973, Washington, D.C. White House.
• Frame(s): WHPO-E1648-07-12, President Nixon discusses drought in West Africa with Sangou1e Lamizana, President of the Republic of Upper Volta. 10/15/1973, Washington, D.C. White House.

Roll WHPO-E1649 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-E1649-, President Nixon with Henry Kearns of Export-Imports Bank. Henry Kearns presenting President Nixon with the bank's annual report for 1973 entitled "Eximbank and the World of Exports.". 10/15/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office.

Roll WHPO-E1650 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-E1650-, President Nixon greets Sangou1e Lamizana, President of the Republic of Upper Volta. 10/15/1973, Washington, D.C. White House.

Roll WHPO-E1651 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-E1651-, Presentation to John Bennet. 10/15/1973, unknown unknown.

Roll WHPO-E1652 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-E1652-, Pat Nixon shakes hands. 10/15/1973, New York Waldorf Astoria Hotel.

Roll WHPO-E1653 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-E1653-, State Dinner held in-honor of former Secretary of State William Rogers. 10/15/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, East Room.

Roll WHPO-E1654 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-E1654-, President Nixon walking on the White House grounds. 10/15/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, Grounds. President Nixon, Manolo Sanchez, Vicky, Pasha.
• Frame(s): WHPO-E1654-, State Dinner held in-honor of former Secretary of State William Rogers. 10/15/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, Grand Hall.
• Frame(s): WHPO-E1654-21, President Nixon and Pat Nixon pose for a formal portrait in front of the Grand Staircase with Secretary of State William Rogers and wife Adele Rogers, before entering the state dinner honoring former Secretary of State Rogers. 10/15/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, Grand Staircase Doorway. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, William Rogers, Mrs. Adele Rogers.
• Frame(s): WHPO-E1654-27, President Nixon and Pat Nixon escort former Secretary of State William Rogers and wife Adele Rogers, walking the red carpet in the Grand Hall to attend a state dinner honoring the former Secretary of State. 10/15/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, Grand Hall. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, William Rogers, Mrs. Adele Rogers.

Roll WHPO-E1655 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-E1655-, Pat Nixon greets guests at a state dinner honoring former Secretary of State William Rogers and wife Adele Rogers. The state dinner was followed by a show by singer Roger Williams. 10/15/1973, Washington, D.C. White House. Pat Nixon, William Rogers, Adele Rogers, Bessie Newton.

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-106
  Photo opportunity with Pres. of the Upper Volta-Oval Office. (10/15/1973)
  
  Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.

P - Formal Presidential Remarks

• WHCA-SR-P-731013
  Medal of Honor presentation ceremony with remarks by President Nixon. (10/15/1973, East Room, the White House)
  
  Runtime: 0:16:07
  
  Production credits: Audio feed supplied by WHCA; Recorded by CRB (initials of WHCA engineer)
  
  Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.
• WHCA-SR-P-731014
  Remarks by President Nixon in toast to William Rogers with GRF, Chief Justice Burger, Mamie Eisenhower. (10/15/1973)
  
  Runtime: 5:01
  
  Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.
• WHCA-SR-P-731015
  Remarks by President Nixon at entertainment for William Rogers with Rogers, Roger Williams. (10/15/1973)
  
  Runtime: 9:40
  
  Keywords: Musician, musicians, music, celebrities, performance
  
  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-333
  Executive briefing by Melvin Laird, Caspar Weinberger, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development James T. Lynn and Secretary of Agriculture Earl Butz. (10/15/1973, EOB Conference Room (450))
  
  Runtime: 1:23:00
  
  Keywords: Briefings, public briefings, statements to the press (see also 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-334
  Press briefing by Gerald Warren. (10/15/1973, White House Press Lobby)
  
  Runtime: 0:40:46
  
  Keywords: Press conference, news conference, interviews, media, briefings, Yom Kippur War, Ramadan War, October War, 1973 Arab-Israel War, Egypt, Syria, Israel, Middle East, Mideast, Arabian, Arabs, religion, religious services, Vice Presidents, lawyers, attorneys,
  
  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. Technical notes: 55 minutes and 33 seconds of silence at end of record removed from access copies.

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-6608
  Weekly News Summary, Tape I.
  ALL NETWORKS
  Runtime: 01:02:05
  
  1. Smith/Kaplow/Seamans: U.S. supply to Israel. Time Code Start: 00:00. Keywords: Yom Kippur War, Ramadan War, October War, 1973 Arab–Israeli War, Egypt, Syria, Israel, Middle East, Mideast, aid, exports, American. Network: ABC.
  
  2. Reasoner/Schoumacher: Vice President designate Gerald Ford's speech in Oregon. Time Code Start: 04:02. Keywords: Vice Presidents, speeches. Network: ABC.
  
  3. Smith: Vice President Agnew's recent speech concerning charges. Time Code Start: 06:01. Keywords: Vice Presidents, resignations, terminations, taxes, investments, investigations, hearings, statements, speeches. Network: ABC.
  
  4. Smith/Gill: Supreme Court conference room bugged along with former President Johnson's (LBJ)'s home phone. Time Code Start: 06:33. Keywords: law officials, judges, justices, courts, Presidents, residences, homes, bugging, bugs, wiretapping, wire taps, surveillance, spying, investigations, recordings. Network: ABC.
  
  5. Reasoner/Zimmerman: Oil supply from Middle East may be lowered. Time Code Start: 08:27. Keywords: petroleum, gasoline, oil crisis, energy crisis, transportation, shortages, Yom Kippur War, Ramadan War, October War, 1973 Arab–Israeli War, Egypt, Syria, Israel, Middle East, Mideast. Network: ABC.
  
  6. Smith: Commentary on Arabs and Israelis. Time Code Start: 10:24. Keywords: Yom Kippur War, Ramadan War, October War, 1973 Arab–Israeli War, Egypt, Syria, Israel, Middle East, Mideast. Network: ABC.
  
  7. Chancellor/Cochran: War material from U.S. to Israel. Time Code Start: 11:53. Keywords: Yom Kippur War, Ramadan War, October War, 1973 Arab–Israeli War, Egypt, Syria, Israel, Middle East, Mideast, weapons, aid, exports, American. Network: NBC.
  
  8. Valeriani: Soviet airlift to Arabs with President Nixon. Time Code Start: 13:55. Keywords: Yom Kippur War, Ramadan War, October War, 1973 Arab–Israeli War, Egypt, Syria, Israel, Middle East, Mideast, aid, Russia, Soviet Union, USSR. Network: NBC.
  
  9. Chancellor: Middle East war losses. Time Code Start: 16:14. Keywords: Yom Kippur War, Ramadan War, October War, 1973 Arab–Israeli War, Egypt, Syria, Israel, Middle East, Mideast. Network: NBC.
  
  10. Chancellor/Hager: Middle East war, film of Egyptians. Time Code Start: 16:45. Keywords: Yom Kippur War, Ramadan War, October War, 1973 Arab–Israeli War, Egypt, Syria, Israel, Middle East, Mideast. Network: NBC.
  
  11. Chancellor/Trotta: Middle East war; Israeli Army. Time Code Start: 19:17. Keywords: Yom Kippur War, Ramadan War, October War, 1973 Arab–Israeli War, Egypt, Syria, Israel, Middle East, Mideast. Network: NBC.
  
  12. Chancellor/Burrington: Israel's Prime Minister Golda Meir vists Israeli casualties. Time Code Start: 21:10. Keywords: Yom Kippur War, Ramadan War, October War, 1973 Arab–Israeli War, Egypt, Syria, Israel, Middle East, Mideast, Prime Ministers, hospitals, troops, wounded, inspections, tours. Network: NBC.
  
  13. Chancellor/Nessen: Vice President Agnew's speech and his position. Time Code Start: 23:20. Keywords: Vice Presidents, resignations, terminations, taxes, investments, investigations, hearings, statements, speeches. Network: NBC.
  
  14. Chancellor: Thailand government topples. Time Code Start: 25:00. Keywords: Asian, coup d’etat, putsch, military takeovers. Network: NBC.
  
  15. Cronkite/Kalb: U.S. shipments of war supplies to Israel. Time Code Start: 26:40. Keywords: Yom Kippur War, Ramadan War, October War, 1973 Arab–Israeli War, Egypt, Syria, Israel, Middle East, Mideast, weapons, aid, exports, American. Network: CBS.
  
  16. Cronkite/Pierpoint: Charles Bebe Rebozo, President Nixon, and bank charters. Time Code Start: 28:58. Keywords: Presidents, friends, banks, executives. Network: CBS.

• TIME magazine of October 15, 1973

• New York Times of October 15, 1973

• AP Images photos from October 15, 1973
• Getty Images photos from October 15, 1973

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.

• October 1973 Broadcast Index

Wikipedia is a free encyclopedia that anyone can edit.

• October 15, 1973