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October 6, 1969

Introduction

This almanac page for Monday, October 6, 1969, 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 5, 1969

Next Date: Tuesday, October 7, 1969

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.

    Appointments and Nominations

    Executive Orders

    Statements by the President

    • White House Conference on Aging (5 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 1376, October 6, 1969)
      Statement by the President Upon Issuing a Call for the Conference To Meet in Washington in November 1971.

    Checklist of White House Press Releases

    The releases listed below, made public by the Office of the White House Press Secretary during the period covered by this issue, are not included in the issue.

    • Press conference of John B. Martin, Commissioner on Aging, Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, on the second White House Conference on Aging.

    Digest of Other White House Announcements

    Following is a listing of items of general interest which were announced in the press but not made public as formal White House press releases during the period covered by this issue. Appointments requiring Senate approval are not included since they appear in the list of nominations submitted to the Senate, below.

    • The President received a gold Secret Service badge and a gold commemorative medal from James J. Rowley, Director of the Secret Service. Also present for the ceremony at the White House were: Lilburn E. Boggs, Assistant Director; Rufus Youngblood, Assistant Director; Eugene T. Rossides, Assistant Secretary of the Treasury; Robert Taylor, Agent in Charge, Presidential Protective Division; and Robert J. Newbrand, Assistant to the Agent in Charge.
    • Prime Minister Mohamed Ibrahim Egal of the Somali Republic paid a courtesy call on the President.

    Nominations Submitted to the Senate

    Does not include promotions of members of the Uniformed Services, nominations to the Service Academies, or nominations of Foreign Service Officers.

    • DR. S. PAUL EHRLICH, JR., of Virginia, to be the Representative of the United States of America on the Executive Board of the World Health Organization.
    • DAvID L. MDDLEBROOKS, JR., of Florida, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Florida, vice George Harrold Carswell, elevated.

  • 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.

    No Federal Register published on this date

  • 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.

    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.

  • 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)
      Monday, October 6.

      The weeklies really blasted us today - Newsweek cover "Nixon in Trouble"; Time lead story "Nixon's Worst Week"; US News lead story "Nixon Staff in Disarray". A real load of negative stories, following the lead of the Sunday New York Times yesterday and last week. So far President hasn't seen them.

      Busy day today - with nothing very significant. Several sessions with individual Senators and one group, regarding Haynsworth. Big blow came this afternoon in letter from Bobby Griffin saying he could not support the appointment. Odd position for the Whip. I told the President just before his meeting with the group of Senators - he was quite startled since Harlow had assured him earlier of Griffin's support. First reaction was to query what we had done to keep him covered over the weekend. Then started trying to figure what we could do. Had Ehrlichman, Harlow and me join him at EOB at 6:45 for one and a half hour discussion of the whole thing - result was to have Harlow talk to Romney and try to get him to return the letter to Griffin and shape him up. He'll try. Also talked a lot about general handling of Senators, etc. President really disturbed - will destroy Griffin as Whip.

      Some good news too - Hershey is ready to retire, and to announce it this week. Will help with campuses.

      Earlier had session at noon with Harlow, Kissinger, Ehrlichman regarding plan for leaders meeting tomorrow, and general game plan for week. President inclined to buy Harlow idea of meeting with Democratic leaders, Senate and House separately - to urge action on programs - but won't go up to their offices on Hill, instead will have White House breakfasts Friday and Monday - release our overall message over the weekend, so get four day ride. Also agreed to bipartisan leaders meeting with DC police chief to urge crime action.

      Lot of juggling of week's schedule to provide maximum news and TV coverage - spread things out. Will hit GOP leaders tomorrow on Congressional failure to move ahead. Really need to get some appearance of domestic action - which all this should do.

      Didn't get home until 8:45, then President called and wanted a research project about problems other Supreme Court justices had in getting confirmed. Plans to use it somehow tomorrow.
    • Handwritten diary entry (JPG)

  • 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. VI, Vietnam, January 1969-July 1970

    Vietnam, January 1969-July 1970

    • 130. Memorandum From Winston Lord of the Planning Staff of the National Security Council to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) , Washington, October 6, 1969

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 546, Country Files, Far East, Laos, Vol. III, 11 October 1969–31 January 1970. Secret; Nodis. Sent for information. Sent through Osgood and a copy was sent to Holdridge. Lake returned this paper to Lord on October 14 and noted in a transmitted memorandum that “Mr. Kissinger asked that we tell you your paper on Laos was a first-class effort which he liked very much. He said it is a model of what he wants the planning staff to do. Note this marginalia.” (Ibid.) Haig sent a copy of this memorandum to Kissinger under cover of a memorandum of October 7, in which he wrote: “Attached is a think piece done by Winston Lord on the Laotian situation which is extremely well done, thoughtful and quite worrisome. I believe it is worth your time to read the memorandum carefully since it is one of our better staff efforts and confirms Winston’s ability to articulate well. The fact that I wince at some of his attitudes does not detract from the overall favorable impression of his intellectual effort. I think we have in Winston a staff officer whom we can use on some of the tougher expository problems.” (Ibid., Box 958, Haig Chronological Files, October 1–15, 1969 [1 of 2])

    • 131. Minutes of Washington Special Actions Group Meeting , Washington, October 6, 1969, 2:34-4:30 p.m.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–114, WSAG Minutes, Originals, 1969–1970. Top Secret; Sensitive. The meeting was held in the White House Situation Room.

    Vol. XIX, Part 1, Korea, 1969-1972

    North Korean Shootdown of a U.S. Reconnaissance Flight and Contingency Planning, January-November 1969

    Vol. XXIV, Middle East Region and Arabian Peninsula, 1969-1972; Jordan, September 1970

    Middle East Region

    Vol. XXXIV, National Security Policy, 1969-1972

    The Joint Chiefs of Staff Readiness Test

    Vol. XL, Germany and Berlin, 1969-1972

    Germany and Berlin, 1969-1972

    • 31. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon, Washington, October 6, 1969

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 682, Country Files, Europe, Germany, Vol. III. Secret. Sent for information. Although no drafting information appears on the memorandum, an attached memorandum from Sonnenfeldt, October 3, states: “In accordance with our conversation today, I have prepared a brief memorandum for your signature.” A note indicates that Kissinger’s memorandum was returned from the President on October 10.

    Vol. E-4, Documents on Iran and Iraq, 1969-1972

    Iran 1969

    • 22. Telegram 4054 From the Embassy in Iran to the Department of State, Tehran, October 6, 1969, 1230Z

      The Chargé offered suggestions for the Shah’s upcoming U.S. visit, including positions on Iran’s role, the Middle East, the Persian Gulf, COMIDEASTFOR, and oil.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, POL 7 IRAN. Secret; Limdis. Repeated to Jidda.

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

    Nigerian Civil War

    • 125. Memorandum From Roger Morris of the National Security Council Staff to the Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs (Newsom) , Washington, October 6, 1969

      Morris outlined new diplomatic efforts for ending the Biafran War. He believed the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) had done some fast shuffling with the daylight flight proposal so the Federal Military Government (FMG) was committed while Biafra was not. Morris felt that the next proposals must be precise.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Records of the Special Coordinator on Relief to Civilian Victims of the Nigerian Civil War, February 1969–June 1970, Lot 70 D 336, Box 517, Memorandum. Secret. Copies were sent to Ferguson and Ruser.

    • 126. Briefing Memorandum From Roger Morris of the National Security Council Staff to the Presidentʼs Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) , Washington, October 6, 1969

      In anticipation of President Nixonʼs meeting with Secretary of State William Rogers on October 6, Morris briefed Kissinger on bilateral talks on Nigeria at the United Nations, developments in the war, and the Department of Stateʼs line of argument. Morris advocated an activist U.S. role and warned Kissinger against Rogersʼ hands-off policy.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 280, Agency Files, Department of State, 10/01/69, Vol. IV. Top Secret; Eyes Only. The cables at Tab A are not published.

    • 127. Memorandum From Secretary of State Rogers to President Nixon, Washington, October 6, 1969

      Rogers thought prospects for achieving agreement on relief arrangements were not good, nor was there evidence that either side was prepared to make the concessions required for meaningful negotiations. He outlined a number of “further steps.”

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, POL 27 Biafra-Nigeria. Secret. In an October 8 memorandum for Kissinger, Haig said that Morris thought Rogersʼ memo completely misrepresented the issues; Morris was preparing a memorandum on it for Kissinger. (Ibid., Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Subject Files, Items to Discuss With the President, 8/13/69-12/30/69)

    Vol. E-7, Documents on South Asia, 1969-1972

    India and Pakistan: Pre-Crisis, January 1969-February 1971

    • 38. Airgram A–550 From the Embassy in Pakistan to the Department of State, Rawalpindi, October 6, 1969

      Chargé Spain traced the history and drew the lessons from the experience of the Air Force communications facility at Peshawar.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, DEF 21 PAK. Secret; Limdis. Drafted by Spain on October 2, and cleared in draft by General Geary and in the political section by Stephen E. Palmer and Alan D. Wolfe. Repeated to New Delhi, Ankara for Handley, Tehran for Minister Thacher, London for Minister Hughes, the Peshawar Air Station for the Commanding Officer, Dacca, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, USAFI for Hilbert, CIA for Sheldon, NSA for General Carter, USAFSS, and DOD/ISA. The 10-year agreement governing the communications facility at Peshawar was not renewed by Pakistan and expired on July 17, 1969. A limited number of U.S. personnel remained after July 17 to effect an orderly turnover of the facility to Pakistan. A brief ceremony effected the turnover on January 7, 1970, rather than on February 28 as anticipated by Spain. (Telegram 001 from Peshawar, January 8, 1970; ibid., DEF 15–10 PAK–US)

    Vol. E-7, Documents on South Asia, 1969-1972

    Afghanistan, 1969-1972

    • 331. Telegram 5090 From the Embassy in Afghanistan to the Department of State, Kabul, October 6, 1969, 1150Z

      Afghani Deputy Foreign Minister Farhadi assured Ambassador Neumann that the SU–7s were purchased as replacement aircraft, and that the agreement to do so was negotiated before January 2, 1968. Therefore, the Conte amendment should not come into play.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, DEF 19–6 USSR–AFG. Confidential.

  • 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-2078 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2078-01-07, President Nixon standing with Comptroller General Elmer Staats and Assistant C.G. Robert Keller. 10/6/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Elmer Staats, Robert Keller, Eugene Boyle, Harry Dent, press corps members.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2078-11-16, President Nixon standing with Eugene Boyle. 10/6/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Elmer Staats, Robert Keller, Eugene Boyle, Harry Dent, press corps members.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2078-11-16, President Nixon sitting with Eugene Boyle and Harry Dent. 10/6/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Elmer Staats, Robert Keller, Eugene Boyle, Harry Dent, press corps members.

    Roll WHPO-2079 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2079-01-08, President Nixon receiving a gold secret service badge and a trophy from six Secret Service agents in the Oval Office. 10/6/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, secret service agents.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2079-04, President Nixon receiving a gold secret service badge and a trophy from six Secret Service agents in the Oval Office. 10/6/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, secret service agents.

    Roll WHPO-2080 Photographer: Hodge | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2080-04-37, Close-up portrait study of Dr. Hugh Heffner. 10/6/1969, Washington, D.C. outdoors. Dr. Hugh Heffner.

    Roll WHPO-2081 Photographer: unknown | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2081-02A-03A, Pat Nixon standing with wives of the members of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. 10/6/1969, Washington, D.C. Blue Room, White House. Pat Nixon, unidentified women.

    Roll WHPO-2082 Photographer: Hodge | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2082-02-22, Luncheon hosted by Daniel Patrick Moynihan, attended by George Romney, Walter Washington, and other unidentified men. 10/6/1969, Washington, D.C. unknown. Moynihan, George Romney, Walter Washington, unidentified men.

    Roll WHPO-2083 Photographer: Hodge | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2083-02-07, Luncheon hosted by Daniel Patrick Moynihan, attended by George Romney, Walter Washington, and other unidentified men. 10/6/1969, Washington, D.C. unknown. Moynihan, George Romney, Walter Washington, unidentified men.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2083-08-10, Daniel Patrick Moynihan, George Romney, Walter Washington, with unidentified men standing around a city model. 10/6/1969, Washington, D.C. unknown. Daniel Patrick Moynihan, George Romney, Walter Washington, unidentified men.

    Roll WHPO-2084 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2084-01A-31A, Pat Nixon and Tricia Nixon with Future Homemakers of America. 10/6/1969, Washington, D.C. Blue Room, White House. Pat Nixon, Tricia Nixon, Future Homemakers of America.

    Roll WHPO-2085 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2085-02-05, President Nixon sitting informally with Prime Minister of Somali, Mohamed Haji Ibrahim Egal, and aides. 10/6/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Mohamed Haji Ibrahim Egal, aides.

    Roll WHPO-2086 Photographer: Hodge | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2086-06A-23A, Tea for Future Homemakers of America hosted by Pat Nixon and Tricia Nixon. 10/6/1969, Washington, D.C. Blue Room, White House. Pat Nixon, Tricia Nixon, Future Homemakers of America.

    Roll WHPO-2087 Photographer: Hodge | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2087-01-03, 07-12, Tea for Future Homemakers of America hosted by Pat Nixon and Tricia Nixon. 10/6/1969, Washington, D.C. Blue Room, White House. Pat Nixon, Tricia Nixon, Future Homemakers of America.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2087-04-06, Presentation to Pat Nixon at the tea for Future Homemakers of America . 10/6/1969, Washington, D.C. Blue Room, White House. Pat Nixon, Tricia Nixon, Future Homemakers of America.

  • 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.

    H - White House Staff Member Recordings

    • WHCA-SR-H-081
      Press briefing by Ronald Ziegler and John Martin. (10/6/1969, Roosevelt Room, White House)

      Runtime: 27:00:00

      Keywords: Press conferences, news conferences, interviews, media, press secretary

      Production credits: Audio feed supplied by ABC; Recorded by WFM (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-3447
      "Today" Show with Joe McGinnis, author of "The Selling of the President, 1968". Joe McGinnis, author.
      Metromedia Television New; Group W Productions, Inc.
      Runtime: 0:15
    • WHCA-3448
      "Evans Novak Report" and "The Mike Douglas Show". Evans Novak Report: Russell B. Long, Sentator of Louisiana discusses taxes and the tax bill. The Mike Douglas Show: Interview with the author of "The Selling of the President, 1968," Joe McGinnis on the 1968 Nixon-Agnew campaign and the use of television.
      NBC
      Runtime: 00:41:45
    • WHCA-3453
      Weekly News Summary.
      All networks
      Runtime: 00:31:43

      1. Cronkite/Rather: Report on Supreme Court Justice nominee Clement Haynsworth; Former Vice President Hubert Humphrey opposes nomination. Time Code Start: 00:10. Keywords: judges, Supreme Court, nominees, investigations. Network: CBS.

      2. Cronkite: Senator Minority Leader Hugh Scott predicts turning point in war. Time Code Start: 00:90. Keywords: Vietnam war, Senators. Network: CBS.

      3. Chancellor: Senator Hugh Scott suggests President Nixon's supporters should drive with headlights on on October 15. Time Code Start: 01:42. Keywords: Vietnam War, Presidents, demonstrations, support. Network: NBC.

Context (External Sources)