October 4, 1972

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 Camp David, Maryland

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 About Signing a Bill Providing for Relief of Certain Prewar Japanese Bank Claimants
• Veto of Railroad Retirement Benefits Bill.

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 Wednesday, October 4, 1972

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

• Senate: October 4, 1972
• House of Representatives: October 4, 1972
• Extensions of Remarks: October 4, 1972

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 51, News Summaries - October 1972 [2 of 7] [Note: Due to the way News Summary products were compiled, you should also consult nearby days for potentially relevant materials.]
  • News Summary, October 4, 1972, (Tues. nets, wires, columns)
• President's Daily Schedule, Box 102, [President's Daily Schedule, Oct.-Dec. 1972] [1 of 2]
  • The President's Schedule, Wednesday - October 4, 1972

The H. R. Haldeman Diaries consists of seven handwritten diaries, 36 dictated diaries recorded as sound recordings, and two handwritten audio cassette tape subject logs. The diaries and logs reflect H. R. Haldeman’s candid personal record and reflections on events, issues, and people encountered during his service in the Nixon White House. As administrative assistant to the President and Chief of Staff, Haldeman attended and participated in public events and private meetings covering the entire scope of issues in which the Nixon White House engaged in during the years 1969-1973. Visit the finding aid to learn more.

• Transcript of diary entry (PDF)
  Wednesday, October 4.
  
  We were at Camp David all day. The President holed up working on the press conference preparation. He did have me over at noon for a while, reported that he'd returned Walter Cronkite's call. Cronkite had called yesterday, saying that he wanted to have a personal conversation with the President. Turned out that what he's after is to get the President to do an hour interview on CBS. The President's intrigued with at least exploring it, on the basis that it might be a good thing for us to do, and also do NBC and ABC, if we can do it without McGovern or after McGovern. He told me to have Ziegler follow-up with Cronkite, get all the details and all. I think it's a trap, but we'll see what Ron develops.
  
  He had a lot of miscellaneous political ideas. He thinks we ought to have a television commercial on amnesty, and also using a Vietnam vet or a Labor guy. Also a Vietnam commercial, regarding don't turn Vietnam over to the Communists. He thinks we ought to consider Kissinger taking McGovern on after the October 10th McGovern speech on Vietnam. Wants to be sure to give the VP the poll data on the issues in Massachusetts. Thinks we need to start some columns now on what the selection means, that it's a test of the Eastern media, the intellectual elite such as the New York Times and the Post and so on. That we've got to make this a mandate on the issues, not just a mandate on the men. We need to pick up their wrong predictions and hang them on them. McGovern shouldn't be talking about landslides. He should make the pitch that we're seeking a decisive majority, we have no reliance on the polls, we're taking our case to every state, not predicting the winning or losing any, and taking it to every group, young and old, black and white, Catholic and Protestant, etcetera. Thinks we should also get some predictions of a close election. He's concerned about how they interpret the victory and that even if we win by 15 points they'll call it a disappointing win. Therefore, we ought to predict a 10 million vote margin or something like that and get it set in the public mind as the goal. On Congressional things, he wants to say that he won't comment on individual races, that we want a House and Senate that will support the Administration. Generally, of course, he supports Republican nominees. However, his major interest is the election of those who support the Administration, and there are certain Democrats who, because of their support in the past, will not have his opposition.
  
  He came up with the idea on Atlanta of having a writing pool cover the meeting with the leaders so that we get some mileage out of it. Wants to drop the political dinner tomorrow night and do it in the afternoon instead. There were a few minor schedule questions. He had me over again at 5:00 for a couple of quick odds and ends and then left to go for a swim with Tricia.
  
  We had a big flap with Henry last night and carrying on today. He's in a complete tantrum that the President should not have a press conference, because he's sure to give the wrong answers on Vietnam and blow the whole negotiation right as Henry is about to go into the crucial final stage. Henry actually believes still, even though Thieu has completely refused to go along with anything Haig proposed, Henry believes that we still have a 50-50 chance of pulling something off with the North Vietnamese this weekend and he's scared to death that the President will louse it up. Actually, I think he'll use anything that comes up as an excuse if the thing blows, so it works out pretty good for him. The President doesn't feel that there's any chance of settling, and that probably it's not desirable anyway, because any possible interpretation of a sellout would hurt us more than it helps us.
  
  One interesting thing: I decided to drive down, as I always do. The President wasn't going to leave Camp David until 9:30. He called at 7:25, five minutes before I was to leave, to say that if I needed to get home early, he'd be glad to reschedule his departure so I could ride down on the helicopter. I said that I'd intended to drive anyway, but it was very thoughtful of him to show that concern.
  
  End of October 4.
• Original audio recording (MP3)

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 4, 1972
• Date search for October 4, 1972

All National Archives Units

• Text search for October 4, 1972
• Date search for October 4, 1972

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 04 October 1972

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. VIII, Vietnam, January-October 1972

The Parties Move Toward Agreement, July 19-October 7, 1972

• 277. Memorandum of Conversation, Saigon, October 4, 1972, 9 a.m.-12:50 p.m.

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 1018, Alexander M. Haig Special File, Additional Material Vietnam Trip, September 29–October 4, 1972 [1 of 4]. Top Secret; Sensitive; Exclusively Eyes Only. The meeting took place at the Presidential Palace. All brackets are in the original.

• 279. Transcript of a Telephone Conversation Between President Nixon and the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), October 4, 1972, 10:20 a.m.

  Source: Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Kissinger Papers, Box CL 253, Geopolitical File, Vietnam, Trips, Haig, Alexander M., October 1972. No classification marking. According to the President’s Daily Diary, Nixon was at Camp David when he placed the call, and Kissinger was in Washington. The call began at 10:21 and ended at 11:05 a.m. (National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, White House Central Files)

Vol. XV, Soviet Union, June 1972-August 1974

Economic Normalization and Soviet Jewish Emigration, September-December 1972

• 58. Memorandum of Conversation, Washington, October 4, 1972

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 1026, Presidential/HAK Memcons. Confidential. The meeting took place at the Senate Office Building.

Vol. XXXII, SALT I, 1969-1972

The Summit and Congressional Approval of the SALT Agreements, May 19-October 4, 1972

• 343. Memorandum of Conversation, Washington, October 4, 1972

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 1026, Presidential/HAK MemCons, MemCon—Kissinger, Senate Foreign Relations Committee, October 4, 1972. Confidential. The conversation took place in a meeting room in a Senate office building.

Vol. E-1, Documents on Global Issues, 1969-1972

U.S. Policy Towards International Production and Trafficking in Illegal Drugs

• 227. Memorandum From the Secretary’s Special Assistant for Narcotic Matters (Gross) to the Director of the Office of Asian Communist Affairs (Jenkins), Washington, October 4, 1972

  Gross reported on approaches made to the People’s Republic of China on narcotics control.
  
  Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970-73, SOC 11-5. Secret; Nodis. The memorandum was cleared in IO and by Boyd. The attachment was drafted by Boyd and cleared by Bevans. A copy was sent to L/EA. Talking points related to the PRC’s accession to the Single Convention and Amending Protocol opened for signature on March 25 were attached but not published.

Vol. E-5, Part 1, Documents on Sub-Saharan Africa, 1969-1972

The Horn

• 332. National Intelligence Estimate 75/76–72, Washington, October 4, 1972

  The estimate concluded that the situation in The Horn, an area of chronic tensions and instability, was more favorable than it had been for many years, but much of that was transitory. The stability of governments and policies depended greatly on the quality and strength of rulers, and there was certain to be some turmoil over succession in Ethiopia, the most important country in the Horn
  
  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 361, Subject Files, NIE, Part 3. Secret.

Vol. E-10, Documents on American Republics, 1969-1972

Mexico

• 484. Briefing Memorandum From Francesco J. Alberti, International Relations Officer, Office of Mexican Affairs, Bureau of Inter-American Affairs to the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs (Crimmins), Washington, October 4, 1972., Washington, October 4, 1972

  International Relations Officer Alberti updated Deputy Assistant Secretary Crimmins on United States-Mexican relations. Among other issues, he highlighted regular Task Force meetings dealing with the Colorado River salinity issue, the first meeting of an Inter-Departmental Special Study Group on Illegal Immigrants From Mexico, Narcotics Developments, economic and labor issues, and an incident involving body search of Foreign Secretary Rabasa’s niece by U.S. Customs officials.
  
  Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL MEX–US. Limited Official Use. In telegram 3731 from USUN, October 6, the Mission reported that Rabasa had criticized the U.S. border check program for unduly humiliating and treating Mexicans like animals, and asserted that eliminating demand for narcotics was just as important as eliminating the supply. (Ibid., POL 7 MEX) In telegram 3848 from USUN, October 12, the Mission reported that in an October 6 meeting with Rabasa, Rogers “expressed apologies for unwarranted customs examination of Fonsec Rabasa’s niece.” (Ibid.)

Vol. E-16, Documents on Chile, 1969-1973

Cool and Correct: The U.S. Response to the Allende Administration, November 5, 1970-December 31, 1972

• 119. Memorandum of Conversation, Washington, October 4, 1972

  Summary: Officers of the Departments of State and Treasury, and the Kennecott Copper Corporation discussed how to obtain compensation for expropriated investments. Government officials noted that the different U.S. agencies were coordinating efforts to press for indemnification and that communication between the companies and the U.S. Government was critical to succeeding in this endeavor.
  
  Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, INCO–COPPER CHILE. Confidential. Drafted by Karkashian. A copy was sent to Meyer, Feldman, Winder (E/IFD/ODF), Hunt (OPIC), Van Batenburg (Treasury), and Santiago.

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.

Visit the White House Tapes finding aid to learn about the taping system's operation and archival processing.

Camp David Hard Wire

• 215-4; Unknown between 5:00 p.m. & 5:30 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Haldeman, H. R. ("Bob"); Sanchez, Manolo
• 215-5; Unknown between 5:55 p.m. & 6:23 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Sanchez, Manolo; Colson, Charles W.
• 215-6; 6:23 p.m. - 6:45 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Colson, Charles W.
• 215-7; Unknown between 6:45 p.m. & 7:27 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Sanchez, Manolo
• 215-8; Unknown between 6:45 p.m. & 7:27 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Sanchez, Manolo
• 215-9; Unknown between 6:45 p.m. & 7:27 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Camp David Operator
• 215-10; 7:27 p.m. - 7:28 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Haldeman, H. R. ("Bob")
• 215-11; Unknown between 7:28 p.m. & 9:39 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Sanchez, Manolo
• 215-12; Unknown between 7:28 p.m. & 9:39 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Sanchez, Manolo

Camp David Study Table

• 146-3; Unknown between 5:55 p.m. & 6:23 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Camp David Operator
• 146-4; 6:23 p.m. - 6:45 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Colson, Charles W.
• 146-5; Unknown between 6:45 p.m. & 7:27 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Camp David Operator
• 146-6; 7:27 p.m. - 7:28 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Haldeman, H. R. ("Bob")

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-D0603 Photographer: unknown | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-D0603-, Posed portrait copy photo of President Nixon and Pat Nixon standing in the West Wing Colonnade. 10/4/1972, Washington, D.C. West Wing Colonnade. President Nixon, Pat Nixon.
• Frame(s): WHPO-D0603-[DASH], Posed portrait copy photo of President Nixon and Pat Nixon standing in the West Wing Colonnade. 10/4/1972, Washington, D.C. West Wing Colonnade. President Nixon, Pat Nixon.

Roll WHPO-D0604 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-D0604-, Pat Nixon campaigning at various sites. 10/4/1972, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania unidentified indoor and outdoor sites. Pat Nixon, unidentified persons.

Roll WHPO-D0605 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-D0605-, Pat Nixon with Mamie Eisenhower at an Arthritis Foundation event. 10/4/1972, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania unidentified building. Pat Nixon, Mamie Eisenhower, unidentified persons.
• Frame(s): WHPO-D0605-14, Pat Nixon with former First Lady Mamie Eisenhower at an Arthritis Foundation event. 10/4/1972, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania unidentified building. Pat Nixon, Mamie Eisenhower.
• Frame(s): WHPO-D0605-31, Pat Nixon at an Arthritis Foundation event holding two unidentified girls. 10/4/1972, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania unidentified building. Pat Nixon, children, unidentified persons.

Roll WHPO-D0606 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-D0606-, Pat Nixon on the dais at the Irish Historical Assn. dinner, receiving a medal. 10/4/1972, New York City, New York unidentified location. Pat Nixon, officials.

Roll WHPO-D0607 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-D0607-, Pat Nixon in a receiving line and on the dais at the Irish Historical Assn. dinner. 10/4/1972, New York City, New York unidentified location. Pat Nixon, officials.

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-5803
  "The Lou Gordon Show".
  NBC
  Runtime: 00:31:50
• WHCA-5804
  "A Public Affair: Election '72". "The Jewish Vote"
  ALL NETWORKS
  Runtime: 0:30
• WHCA-5807
  Weekly News Summary, Tape II.
  ALL NETWORKS
  Runtime: 01:26:00
  
  19. Smith/Clark: Welfare reform bill defeated (Secretary Richardson). Time Code Start: 47:59. Keywords: bills, laws, Family Assistance Programs, government aid, financial aid, health and welfare assistance, financial aid, Presidents, vetoes, cabinet, advisors. Network: ABC.
  
  20. Reasoner/Zimmerman: (Shriver) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Time Code Start: 50:43. Keywords: Vice Presidents, Presidential elections, campaigns, campaigning, candidates. Network: ABC.
  
  21. Reasoner/Gill: Vice President Agnew in South Dakota. Time Code Start: 52:47. Keywords: Vice Presidents, travel, trips, Presidential elections, campaigns, campaigning, candidates. Network: ABC.
  
  22. Smith/Jarriel: President Nixon at Camp David; President Nixon advantage. Time Code Start: 54:52. Keywords: Presidents, travel, trips, Nixon trips, domestic, Presidential elections, campaigns, campaigning, candidates. Network: ABC.
  
  23. Smith: Commentary on Lorton Reformatory at Laurel Hill, Virginia. Time Code Start: 57:34. Keywords: prisons, Occoquan Workhouse. Network: ABC.
  
  24. Chancellor/Duke: Congress and President Nixon argue about welfare. Time Code Start: 59:37. Keywords: Presidents, House of Representatives, arguments, bills, laws, Family Assistance Programs, government aid, financial aid, welfare, financial aid. Network: NBC.
  
  25. Brinkley: Commentary on welfare. Time Code Start: 62:08. Keywords: bills, laws, Family Assistance Programs, government aid, financial aid, health and welfare assistance, financial aid. Network: NBC.
  
  26. Chancellor/Jones: (Major Elias), POW comments on his release. Time Code Start: 64:26. Keywords: Vietnam War, Vietnam Prisoner of War, releases, arrivals, interviews. Network: NBC.
  
  27. Dancy/Mackin: George McGovern and Vice President Agnew campaigning. Time Code Start: 66:47. Keywords: Vice Presidents, travel, trips, Presidential elections, campaigns, campaigning, candidates. Network: NBC.
  
  28. Oliver: Voter registration in California. Time Code Start: 71:27. Keywords: Vote, voters, voting, Presidential elections, campaigns, campaigning, candidates, primaries, voting, registrations. Network: NBC.
  
  29. Cronkite: President Nixon commenting on our poverty, Schorr. Time Code Start: 73:32. Keywords: anti-poverty, destitution, lifestyles. Network: CBS.
  
  30. Serafin: Vice President Agnew commenting on the Vietnam war, campaigning in South Dakota. Time Code Start: 77:00. Keywords: Vietnam War, ceasefires, endings, Vice Presidents, speeches, statements. Network: CBS.
  
  31. Sevareid: Commentary on subversive activities of Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in India. Time Code Start: 79:47. Keywords: national security, intelligence gathering, covert activities, spying, espionage, East India, Asia. Network: CBS.
  
  32. Cronkite/Schieffer: McGovern in Niagra, New York; some of his comments. Time Code Start: 82:21. Keywords: Presidential elections, campaigns, campaigning, candidates. Network: CBS.

• New York Times of October 4, 1972

• AP Images photos from October 4, 1972
• Getty Images photos from October 4, 1972

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 1972 Broadcast Index

Wikipedia is a free encyclopedia that anyone can edit.

• October 4, 1972