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October 7, 1969

Introduction

This almanac page for Tuesday, October 7, 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: Monday, October 6, 1969

Next Date: Wednesday, October 8, 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

    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 Senator Hugh Scott and Representative Gerald R. Ford following Republican leadership meeting.
    • Announcement of intention to nominate Charles Clark, of Jackson, Miss., to be United States Circuit Judge for the Fifth Circuit, vice Judge Claude F. Clayton.

    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.

    • Prince Souvanna Phouma, Prime Minister of Laos, met with the President at the White House. In the evening, the President held a dinner in honor of the Prime Minister.

    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.

    • CHARLES CLARK, of Mississippi, to be United States Circuit Judge, Fifth Circuit, vice Claude F. Clayton, deceased.
    • PAUL C. CAMILLE , of West Virginia, to be United States Attorney for the Northern District of West Virginia for the term of 4 years, vice John H. Kamlowsky, resigned.
    • ROBERT D. OLSON, SR., of Alaska, to be United States Marshal for the District of Alaska for the term of 4 years, vice George A. Bayer.
    • LEON T. CAMPBELL, of Tennessee, to be United States Marshal for the Middle District of Tennessee for the term of 4 years, vice Elmer W. Disspayne, retired.
    • BENJAMIN F. WESTERVELT, of New York, to be United States Marshal for the Eastern District of New York for the term of 4 years, vice George J. Ward.
    • JOHN HENRY SCHNEIDER, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Commissioner of Patents, vice Gerald D. O'Brien, resigned.

  • 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.

    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)
      Tuesday, October 7.

      Leadership meeting - with no major developments except President distress over too many staff members in attendance - ordered changed.

      Had me in for a session first - wanted to analyze the news summary again, has decided he should have an overall summary on top, and that a lot of the trivia should be eliminated - one more step into concentration on prime areas, which he keeps pushing toward. Also some follow-up on the various reaction projects he's launched over the last couple of weeks.

      Another session after the meeting with the usual pockets full of little notes about things the leaders raised - mainly petty operational complaints. They never seem to run out. Apparently no luck in the attempt to dump Bob Wilson even after all the losses in Congressional elections this year.

      Souvanna Phouma in for a meeting this morning - ran over, as they all seem to do. Then some miscellaneous appointments. Long meeting with Mayo this afternoon on '71 budget. Going to be a major problem, especially on Defense. Also problem with Mayo regarding Deputy Director, because President does not want him to bring Schlesinger up - he is very strongly in favor of Weinberger, who has already been announced as FTC Chairman.

      Had a huge stack of signing, especially a lot of commissions. He's back on the kick of finding ways to get out of it.

      Stuart had his session with Pat Nixon, and she's decided to bring in his wife to run her operation. This will be a great step if it works, and a total change there will open broad horizons that are badly needed.

      Called me at 11:00 - after the party - regarding latest on Haynsworth, and need for action tomorrow. Also is reconsidering World Series and will probably go.
    • 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

    • 132. Memorandum of Conversation , Washington, October 7, 1969, 10:51 a.m.-12:04 p.m.

      Source: Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Kissinger Papers, Box TS 63, Memoranda of Conversations, Presidential File, 1969. Top Secret; Nodis. Copies were sent to Rogers, Laird, and Helms. The President, Souvanna Phouma, and an interpreter met in the Oval Office from 10:51 a.m. to 12:04 p.m. Kissinger joined them at 11:25 a.m. (President’s Daily Diary, October 7; National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, White House Central Files) On October 2 Acting Secretary of State Richardson sent Nixon a memorandum on the Souvanna visit and enclosed talking points. (Ibid., RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, POL 7 LAOS) On October 6 Richardson sent Kissinger additional talking points for the President. (Ibid.) Souvanna met with Rogers, Green, and Corcoran at noon on October 7 in Rogers’ office. A memorandum of conversation of that meeting is ibid. On October 6, from 4 to 4:45 p.m., Souvanna met with Vice President Spiro Agnew; the memorandum of conversation of that meeting is also ibid.

    • 133. Memorandum of Conversation , Washington, October 7, 1969, 10:51 a.m.-12:04 p.m.

      Source: Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Kissinger Papers, Box TS 63, Memoranda of Conversation, Presidential File, 1969. Top Secret; Nodis. Copies were sent to Rogers, Laird, and Helms. See footnote 1, Document 132 regarding Souvanna’s visit.

    Vol. XXIX, Eastern Mediterranean, 1969-1972

    Greece

    • 257. Draft Memorandum for the President , Washington, October 7, 1969

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 593, Country Files—Middle East, Greece, Vol. I Jan 69–Oct 70. Secret; Nodis. Drafted by Saunders. Davis sent the draft memorandum on October 10 to those who attended the Review Group meeting of October 2; see Document 256. Davis asked for comments and concurrence and a recommendation on whether the issue warranted a full NSC discussion or could be handled as a memorandum to the President. It was handled as a memorandum to the President; see Document 261.

    • 258. Telegram From the Embassy in France to the Department of State, Paris, October 7, 1969, 1636Z

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, POL GREECE. Confidential; Limdis.

    Vol. XLI, Western Europe; NATO, 1969-1972

    United Kingdom

    Vol. E-5, Part 2, Documents on North Africa, 1969-1972

    Morocco

    • 99. Memorandum of Conversation , Washington, October 7, 1969, 11:30 a.m.

      In response to the request of King Hassan’s envoy Mamoun Tahiri, President Nixon invited suggestions for greater U.S.-Moroccan cooperation, emphasizing his regard for Morocco as a strong anchor in the Mediterranean.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 740, Country Files, Africa, Morocco, Vol. I. Secret; Limdis. Drafted by Newsom. The conversation took place at the White House. On September 17, Kissinger had conveyed King Hassan’s wish to send a special emissary to discuss the recent Libyan coup and the upcoming Islamic Summit meeting in Rabat (see North Africa Regional section). Kissinger recommended that Nixon accept the envoy in order to make clear his desire for a fair settlement to the Arab-Israeli crisis and his understanding of Arab and Muslim concerns. (Ibid., Box 1243, Saunders Files, Morocco, 1/20/69–12/31/69)

  • 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-2088 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2088-01-06, Meeting of the Republican Congressional Leadership. 10/7/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Cabinet Room. President Nixon, Spiro Agnew, Hugh Scott, Melvin Laird, Margaret Chase Smith, Gerald Ford, John Tower, unidentified others, aides.

    Roll WHPO-2089 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2089-00-06, Meeting of the Republican Congressional Leadership. 10/7/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Cabinet Room. President Nixon, Spiro Agnew, Hugh Scott, Melvin Laird, Margaret Chase Smith, Gerald Ford, John Tower, unidentified others, aides.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2089-06, President Nixon with Senate Minority Leader Hugh Scott, House Minority Leader Gerald Ford, and Representative John Rhodes in the Cabinet Room of the White House at a meeting of the Republican Congressional Leadership. 10/7/1969, Washington, D.C. Cabinet Room, White House. Hugh Scott, Gerald Ford, John Rhodes.

    Roll WHPO-2090 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2090-01-05, President Nixon awarding Air Medal Award to Air Force Colonel Dr. Walter R. Tkach, the President's personal physician. 10/7/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Colonel Dr. Walter R. Tkach.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2090-05, President Nixon awarding Air Medal Award to Air Force Colonel Dr. Walter R. Tkach, the President's personal physician. 10/7/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Colonel Dr. Walter R. Tkach.

    Roll WHPO-2091 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2091-04A-10A, President Nixon in the Oval Office, awarding the Air Medal to a personal physician Air Force Colonel Dr. Walter R. Tkach. 10/7/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Col. Dr. Walter R. Tkach, Mrs. Walter Tkach, Rose Mary Woods, Haldeman, officials, staff members and a nurse with unidentified others.

    Roll WHPO-2092 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2092-01-07, President Nixon presenting the Air Medal to Air Force Colonel Dr. Walter R. Tkach, the President's personal physician. 10/7/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Col. Dr. Walter R. Tkach, Mrs. Walter Tkach, Rose Mary Woods, Haldeman, officials, staff members and a nurse with unidentified others.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2092-04, President Nixon presenting the Air Medal to Air Force Colonel Dr. Walter R. Tkach, the President's personal physician. 10/7/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Colonel Dr. Walter R. Tkach.

    Roll WHPO-2093 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2093-05A-10A, John Davies accepting the telephone call connecting President Nixon in the Oval Office, to the Apollo XI (Apollo 11) astronauts on the moon. 10/7/1969, Washington, D.C. White House grounds. John Davies, unidentified man.

    Roll WHPO-2094 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2094-05A-21A, John Davies accepting the telephone call connecting President Nixon in the Oval Office, to the Apollo XI (Apollo 11) astronauts on the moon. 10/7/1969, Washington, D.C. White House grounds. John Davies, unidentified men.

    Roll WHPO-2095 Photographer: Hodge | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2095-01-26, Pat Nixon with bowling balls and representatives of the International Bowling Congress. 10/7/1969, Washington, D.C. Bowling Alley, White House. Pat Nixon, unidentified man and women.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2095-27-33, Pat Nixon with representatives of the International Bowling Congress. 10/7/1969, Washington, D.C. Bowling Alley, White House. Pat Nixon, unidentified man and women.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2095-34-35, Pat Nixon accepting a membership card with representatives of the International Bowling Congress. 10/7/1969, Washington, D.C. Bowling Alley, White House. Pat Nixon, unidentified man and women.

    Roll WHPO-2096 Photographer: Hodge | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2096-01A-11A, 19A-22A, 28A, Pat Nixon with bowling balls and representatives of the International Bowling Congress. 10/7/1969, Washington, D.C. White House bowling alley. Pat Nixon, unidentified man and women.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2096-12A-18A, Pat Nixon accepting a membership card from representatives of the International Bowling Congress. 10/7/1969, Washington, D.C. White House bowling alley. Pat Nixon, unidentified man and women.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2096-13A, Pat Nixon accepting a membership card from representatives of the International Bowling Congress. 10/7/1969, Washington, D.C. White House bowling alley. Pat Nixon, unidentified man and women.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2096-28A, Pat Nixon holding out a bowling ball in both hands. 10/7/1969, Washington, D.C. White House bowling alley. Pat Nixon, unidentified man and women.

    Roll WHPO-2097 Photographer: Hodge | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2097-02A-26A, Pat Nixon receiving gifts from 4 H Club members. 10/7/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Library. Pat Nixon, 4 H Club members.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2097-14, Pat Nixon receiving a book from 4 H Club members. 10/7/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Library. Pat Nixon, 4 H Club members.

    Roll WHPO-2098 Photographer: Hodge | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2098-02-04, Air Force Colonel Dr. Walter R. Tkach receiving a gift from an unidentified man. 10/7/1969, Washington, D.C. Dr. Tkach's office. Col. Dr. Walter R. Tkach, unidentified man.

    Roll WHPO-2099 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2099-04-10, President Nixon greeting Laotian Prime Minister Prince Souvanna Phouma upon his arrival. 10/7/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, North Portico. President Nixon, Prince Souvanna Phouma of Laos, chefs, kitchen staff, musicians.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2099-11-16, A dining room table set for a stag black tie dinner buffet with lobster platters. Place settings at formal tables. 10/7/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, State Dining Room. President Nixon, Prince Souvanna Phouma, chefs, kitchen staff, Chef Henry Haller, butler Eugene Allen, John Johnson.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2099-17-22, Seated musicians. A costumed Drum and Fife marching band. 10/7/1969, Washington, D.C. White House hallway, State dining room. musicians, drum and fife Red Coats band.

    Roll WHPO-2100 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2100-02A-07A, Herb Klein sitting informally with Sherman Evans, Governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands. 10/7/1969, Washington, D.C. unidentified office. Herb Klein, Sherman Evans.

    Roll WHPO-2106 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2106-01-30, Robert Brown visiting Alabama homes and meeting local citizens. 10/7/1969, Roosevelt City, Alabama various unidentified sites. Robert Brown, law enforcement officers, unidentified men, women, and children.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2106-31-35, Robert Brown visiting various homes and making an address in a large building. 10/7/1969, Roosevelt City, Alabama various unidentified sites. Robert Brown, law enforcement officers, unidentified men, women, and children.

    Roll WHPO-2107 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2107-03A-06A, 12A, 15A-17A, Robert Brown with various groupings of citizens. 10/7/1969, Hobson City, Alabama various unidentified sites. Robert Brown, unidentified men, children.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2107-07A-09A, 13A, 18A-22A, Rural scenes, including shacks. 10/7/1969, Hobson City, Alabama various unidentified sites. Robert Brown, unidentified men, children.

    Roll WHPO-2108 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2108-02-28, Robert Brown at the City Hall, Police Department, and other sites with unidentified persons. 10/7/1969, Hobson City, Alabama City Hall, Police Department, unidentified sites. Robert Brown, unidentified men and women.

    Roll WHPO-2109 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2109-02A-12A, Robert Brown arriving at an airport. 10/7/1969, Hobson City, Alabama various public and private sites. Robert Brown, unidentified men and women.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2109-13A-35A, Robert Brown arriving at an airport and touring various sites. 10/7/1969, Hobson City, Alabama various public and private sites. Robert Brown, unidentified men and women.

    Roll WHPO-2110 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2110-03A-36A, Robert Brown touring public and private sites. 10/7/1969, Hobson City, Alabama Police Department, various other public and private sites. Robert Brown, policemen, unidentified men and children.

    Roll WHPO-2111 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2111-03-17, Robert Brown aboard a plane during his Alabama trip. 10/7/1969, unknown airplane, interior. Robert Brown, unidentified men and women.

    Roll WHPO-2112 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2112-03-14, 16,18-24, Robert Brown, inside, talking to residents of Greene County, Alabama. 10/7/1969, Greene County, Alabama interior. Robert Brown, unidentified men, women, and children.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2112-15, 17, 27-34, Robert Brown, outside, talking to residents of Greene County, Alabama. 10/7/1969, Greene County, Alabama exterior. Robert Brown, unidentified men, women, and children.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2112-25-26, Unidenfitied persons riding on a bus. 10/7/1969, Greene County, Alabama bus, interior. Robert Brown, unidentified men, women, and children.

    Roll WHPO-2151 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2151-02A-04A, President Nixon greeting Prince Souvanna Phouma, Prime Minister of Laos. 10/7/1969, Washington, D.C. North Portico, kitchen, White House. President Nixon, Prince Souvanna Phouma, Emil Mosbacher.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2151-05A-07A, Food to be served at the state dinner, including decorated lobsters. 10/7/1969, Washington, D.C. North Portico, kitchen, White House. President Nixon, Prince Souvanna Phouma, Emil Mosbacher.

  • 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.

    P - Formal Presidential Remarks

    • WHCA-SR-P-691001
      Remarks by President Nixon in a toast to Prime Minister Souvanna Phouma, with Prime Minister Souvanna Phouma. (10/7/1969)

      Runtime: 5:40

      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-3449
      "From Here to the 70's", Pt. I.
      NBC
      Runtime: 1:00
    • WHCA-3450
      "From Here to the 70's", Pt. II.
      NBC
      Runtime: 1:00
    • WHCA-3451
      "From Here to the 70's", Pt. III.
      All networks
      Runtime: 0:40
    • WHCA-3453
      Weekly News Summary.
      All networks
      Runtime: 00:31:43

      4. Smith/Jarriel: Senator Hugh Scott on Vietnam, says lessening partisanship gives chance for progress at talks, President Nxon casts doubts on Senator Scott's optimism. Time Code Start: 01:54. Keywords: Vietnam War, Senators, statements. Network: ABC.

Context (External Sources)