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October 29, 1973

Introduction

This almanac page for Monday, October 29, 1973, 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: Sunday, October 28, 1973

Next Date: Tuesday, October 30, 1973

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.

  • 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. XXV, Arab-Israeli Crisis and War, 1973

    Arab-Israeli Crisis and War, 1973

    • 297. Backchannel Message From Secretary of State Kissinger to the Egyptian Presidential Adviser for National Security Affairs (Ismail), Washington, October 29, 1973

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Kissinger Office Files, Box 132, Country Files, Middle East, Egypt/Ismail, Vol. VII, October 1–31, 1973. No classification marking. A handwritten note on the message indicates that it was sent for delivery at 9:38 a.m.

    • 298. Memorandum of Conversation, Washington, October 29, 1973

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 27 ARAB–ISR. Secret; Nodis. A handwritten notation indicates that this is a first draft. Saunders sent Kissinger a briefing memorandum for this meeting on October 29. In it Saunders suggested that “the main purpose of your talk with Ismail Fahmi is to hear the opening Egyptian posture and procedural proposals for peace negotiations.” (Ibid., Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 635, Country Files, Middle East, Arab Republic of Egypt, Vol. IX, Jan–Oct, 1973) Blank underscores indicate omissions in the original. Other omissions are noted throughout.

    • 299. Memorandum for the Record by the President’s Deputy Assistant for National Security Affairs (Scowcroft), Washington, October 29, 1973

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Kissinger Office Files, Box 136, Country Files, Middle East, Dinitz, June 4–October 31, 1973. No classification marking. A handwritten notation indicates that the memorandum was LDXed to Eagleburger at 5:52 p.m. on October 29.

    Vol. XXXIX, European Security

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

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

    Thailand and Burma

  • 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-E1716 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E1716-, White House Photo Office (WHPO) Director/photographer Ollie Atkins sitting at his desk going over paperwork with photographer Robert Knudsen. 10/29/1973, Washington DC White House Photo Office. Ollie Atkins, Bob Knudsen.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E1716-13A, White House Photo Office (WHPO) Director/photographer Ollie Atkins sitting at his desk going over paperwork with photographer Robert Knudsen. 10/29/1973, Washington DC White House Photo Office. Ollie Atkins, Bob Knudsen.

  • 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.

    S - White House Press Office Briefings (continuation of the L-series)

    • WHCA-SR-S-356
      Press briefing by Gerald Warren. (10/29/1973, White House Press Lobby)

      Runtime: 50:00:00

      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.

  • 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-6631
      "CBS Morning News" excerpt with Pat Buchanan. Patrick J. Buchanan, one of President Nixon's speech writers Senator Sam Ervin.
      Daphne Productions and Roland & Jaffee Productions
      Runtime: 00:29:37
    • WHCA-6643
      Weekly News Summary, Tape I.
      ALL NETWORKS
      Runtime: 1:30

      1. Reasoner/Farmer: Israelis supply Egyptians. Time Code Start: 00:00. Keywords: Yom Kippur War, Ramadan War, October War, 1973 Arab–Israeli War, Egypt, Syria, Israel, Middle East, Mideast, aid. Network: ABC.

      2. Smith/Kaplow: Ceasefire; Secretary of State Kissinger; Egypt Foreign Minister in Washington, D.C.. Time Code Start: 02:45. Keywords: cabinet, advisors, Vietnam War, ceasefires, Egyptian, leaders, travel, trips, Yom Kippur War, Ramadan War, October War, 1973 Arab–Israeli War, Egypt, Syria, Israel, Middle East, Mideast. Network: ABC.

      3. Smith/Tomlinson: Alert still on; Soviet building up presence in Middle East. Time Code Start: 04:40. Keywords: Soviet Union, Russia, USSR, Yom Kippur War, Ramadan War, October War, 1973 Arab–Israeli War, Egypt, Syria, Israel, Middle East, Mideast, military, troops, increases. Network: ABC.

      4. Reasoner/Watson: Syrians. Time Code Start: 06:55. Keywords: Yom Kippur War, Ramadan War, October War, 1973 Arab–Israeli War, Egypt, Syria, Israel, Middle East, Mideast. Network: ABC.

      5. Reasoner/Jarriel: Administration attacks. Time Code Start: 09:25. Keywords: Presidents, media, criticisms. Network: ABC.

      6. Smith/Clark: Archibald Cox. Time Code Start: 11:10. Keywords: law officials, firings, courts, trials, investigations, prosecutions, bugging, bugs, wiretapping, wire taps, surveillance, spying, Watergate, hearings, burglary, impeachment, resignations, recordings. Network: ABC.

      7. Reasoner/Dobbs: Chicago Seven trials (Chicago 7) resume. Time Code Start: 12:45. Keywords: Yuppies, Abbie Hoffman, Jerry Rubin, Tom Hayden, Chicago Seven (Chicago 7), militants, demonstrations, demonstraters, protests, protesters, Republican National Convention, convention, crime, crimes, offences, infractions, criminals, criminality, law break. Network: ABC.

      8. Reasoner: Melvyn Douglas. Time Code Start: 15:00. Keywords: Actor, actors, celebrities, movies, films, movie stars, wife Congresswoman Helen Gahagan Douglas, Tricky Dick epitet. Network: ABC.

      9. Smith: Commentary on President Nixon; Special Prosecutor. Time Code Start: 17:40. Keywords: law officials, attorneys, lawyers, appointments, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals. Network: ABC.

      10. Chancellor/Brokaw/Cochran/Valeriani: Middle East war. Time Code Start: 19:22. Keywords: Yom Kippur War, Ramadan War, October War, 1973 Arab–Israeli War, Egypt, Syria, Israel, Middle East, Mideast. Network: NBC.

      11. Chancellor/Davis: United Nations (U.N.) peace force. Time Code Start: 23:43. Keywords: organization of nations, intergovernmental alliance, treaty, treaties, negotiations, officials, delegations. Network: NBC.

      12. Chancellor/Quinn: Middle East negotiations. Time Code Start: 26:40. Keywords: Yom Kippur War, Ramadan War, October War, 1973 Arab–Israeli War, Egypt, Syria, Israel, Middle East, Mideast. Network: NBC.

      13. Chancellor/Stern/Duke: Archibald Cox; Special Prosecutor. Time Code Start: 28:39. Keywords: law officials, attorneys, lawyers, appointments, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals. Network: NBC.

      14. Chancellor/Briggs: Chicago Seven trials (Chicago 7). Time Code Start: 31:42. Keywords: Yuppies, Abbie Hoffman, Jerry Rubin, Tom Hayden, Chicago Seven (Chicago 7), militants, demonstrations, demonstraters, protests, protesters, Republican National Convention, convention, crime, crimes, offences, infractions, criminals, criminality, law break. Network: NBC.

      15. Chancellor/Oliver: College campuses change. Time Code Start: 33:35. Keywords: education, colleges, universities, students. Network: NBC.

      16. Chancellor: Melvyn Douglas. Time Code Start: 37:14. Keywords: Actor, actors, celebrities, films, movie stars, wife Congresswoman Helen Gahagan Douglas, Tricky Dick epitet. Network: NBC.

      17. Cronkite/Schorr: Archibald Cox. Time Code Start: 40:26. Keywords: law officials, firings, courts, trials, investigations, prosecutions, bugging, bugs, wiretapping, wire taps, surveillance, spying, Watergate, hearings, burglary, impeachment, resignations, recordings. Network: CBS.

      18. Cronkite/Kalb: Ceasefire; Secretary of State Kissinger. Time Code Start: 42:52. Keywords: cabinet, advisors, Vietnam War, ceasefires. Network: CBS.

      19. Cronkite/Fenton: Supplies to the Middle East. Time Code Start: 44:45. Keywords: Yom Kippur War, Ramadan War, October War, 1973 Arab–Israeli War, Egypt, Syria, Israel, Middle East, Mideast. Network: CBS.

      20. Cronkite/Sheahan: Further Middle East reports. Time Code Start: 46:41. Keywords: Yom Kippur War, Ramadan War, October War, 1973 Arab–Israeli War, Egypt, Syria, Israel, Middle East, Mideast. Network: CBS.

      21. Cronkite: U.S. Naval build-up in Middle East. Time Code Start: 49:17. Keywords: Yom Kippur War, Ramadan War, October War, 1973 Arab–Israeli War, Egypt, Syria, Israel, Middle East, Mideast. Network: CBS.

      22. Cronkite/Plante: Chicago Seven trials (Chicago 7). Time Code Start: 49:51. Keywords: Yuppies, Abbie Hoffman, Jerry Rubin, Tom Hayden, Chicago Seven (Chicago 7), militants, demonstrations, demonstraters, protests, protesters, Republican National Convention, convention, crime, crimes, offences, infractions, criminals, criminality, law break. Network: CBS.

      23. Cronkite/Graham: Melvyn Douglas. Time Code Start: 52:32. Keywords: Actor, actors, celebrities,films, movie stars, wife Congresswoman Helen Gahagan Douglas, Tricky Dick epitet. Network: CBS.

      24. Cronkite/Severaid: Commentary on President Nixon's stalemate in government and Watergate effect. Time Code Start: 54:27. Keywords: Presidents, media, press conferences, news conferences, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, cover-ups, scandals, impeachment, resignations. Network: CBS.

Context (External Sources)