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September 12, 1973

Introduction

This almanac page for Wednesday, September 12, 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: Tuesday, September 11, 1973

Next Date: Thursday, September 13, 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.

  • 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.

  • 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. X, Vietnam, January 1973-July 1975

    Congressional Restrictions, General Warfare, June 19, 1973-February 25, 1975

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

    Horn of Africa

    • 94. Telegram 181336 From the Department of State to the Embassy in Ethiopia, Washington, September 12, 1973, 2048Z

      The Department instructed Ambassador Adair to inform Haile Selassie of the U.S. intention to withdraw most activity from Kagnew Station by the end of FY 1974, and provided guidance regarding the decision.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 736, Country Files, Africa, Ethiopia, Vol. II. Secret; Exdis. Also sent to Asmara and London. Repeated to CINCEUR, NAVCOMMSTA Asmara, CINCUSNAVEUR, CINCPAC Honolulu, and CINCPACFLT. Drafted by LTC. William Step (DOD/ISA) and Coote; cleared by AF/E, EUR/NE, PM/ISO, PM/PA, AF/RA, PM/ISP, S/S, and Kissinger; approved by Ross (AF).

    Vol. E-14, Part 2, Documents on Arms Control and Nonproliferation, 1973-1976

    • 12. Memorandum From Michael Guhin of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), Washington, September 12, 1973

      Summary: Guhin addressed Kissinger’s questions regarding U.S. policy alternatives for the transfer abroad of highly enriched uranium for high temperature gas reactors. He requested that Kissinger forward a memorandum on highly enriched uranium to President Nixon for his approval and issue a National Security Decision Memorandum if Nixon approved the memorandum.

      Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, NSC Program Analysis Staff Files, Convenience Files, Box 32, Security Aspects of Growth and Dissemination of Nuclear Power Industries. Secret. Sent for action. Sent through Elliott. Kennedy initialed his concurrence. The earlier memorandum on NSSM 150 has not been found. NSSM 150, “U.S. Policy on Transfer of Highly Enriched Uranium,” March 13, 1972, and the NSSM 150 study are in the National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Institutional Files, National Security Study Memoranda, Box H–190, NSSM 150. Tab 1, the memorandum to Nixon, and Tab A, a draft NSDM, are attached; the memorandum to Nixon is Document 17 and the NSDM as approved is Document 18. Tab D is not attached and not found.

  • 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-E1459 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E1459-, President Nixon in the Oval Office during a meeting with Secretary of HUD James Lynn, Col. Dana G. Mead and Brig. Gen. Brent Scowcroft. 9/12/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. met to discuss housing policy proposals with: James T. Lynn, Secretary of HUD. Col. Dana G. Mead, Associate Director of the Domestic Council. Brig. Gen. Brent G. Scowcroft, Deputy Assistant.

    Roll WHPO-E1460 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E1460-, Nora Smith portraits. 9/12/1973, unknown unknown.

    Roll WHPO-E1461 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E1461-, Nora Smith portraits. 9/12/1973, unknown unknown.

    Roll WHPO-E1462 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E1462-, Nora Smith portraits. 9/12/1973, unknown unknown.

    Roll WHPO-E1463 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E1463-, Nora Smith portraits. 9/12/1973, unknown unknown.

    Roll WHPO-E1464 Photographer: K Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E1464-, Mike Farrell. 9/12/1973, Washington, D.C. White House.

  • 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-090
      Photo opportunity with Secretary of Housing and Urban Development James Lynn in the Oval Office. (9/12/1973)

      Runtime: 2:30

      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-290
      Press briefing by Gerald Warren. (9/12/1973, White House Press Lobby)

      Runtime: 0:36:41

      Keywords: Press conference, news conference, interviews, media, briefings, judges, justices, law officials, sports, bills, laws, legislation, constitution, national security, intelligence gathering, covert activities, spying, espionage, economy, clean air, ecology,

      Production credits: Audio feed supplied by WHCA; Recorded by GET (initials of WHCA engineer)

      Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original. Technical notes: 1 hour and 2 seconds of silence at end of recording 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-6544
      "Kissinger Confirmation Hearings", Tape III. Fred Malek.
      Undetermined
      Runtime: 00:15:42
    • WHCA-6552
      Weekly News Summary, Tape II.
      ALL NETWORKS
      Runtime: 1:30

      1. Reasoner/Jarriel: Chilean revolt. Time Code Start: 00:00. Keywords: South American, coup d’etat, putsch, military takeovers, military junta, civil wars, General Augusto Pinochet. Network: ABC.

      2. Smith/Donaldson: Senate Watergate hearings with Sam Ervin and Senator Baker. Time Code Start: 02:14. Keywords: Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals, impeachment, resignations. Network: ABC.

      3. Smith/Landay: Tax increase and inflation with Arthur Burns. Time Code Start: 04:52. Keywords: taxes, increases, economy, economics, budgets, finances, recession, inflation, money, wages, costs, unemployment, prices. Network: ABC.

      4. Reasoner/Geer: President Nixon's veto upheld; heating fuel shortage with Representative Conta and Senator Ted Kennedy. Time Code Start: 06:48. Keywords: Presidents, bills, laws, vetoes, energy crisis, petroleum, oil, gasoline, fuel, shortages, rationing, allocations. Network: ABC.

      5. Smith: Commentary on U.S. and Chile. Time Code Start: 08:54. Keywords: South American, coup d’etat, putsch, military takeovers, military junta, civil wars, General Augusto Pinochet. Network: ABC.

      6. Chancellor/Striethorst: Chilean revolt; Chilean FBI believes Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) involved. Time Code Start: 10:41. Keywords: South American, coup d’etat, military takeovers, military junta, civil wars, General Augusto Pinochet, intelligence gathering, covert activities, spying, espionage. Network: NBC.

      7. Chancellor/Stern: Senate Watergate hearings with Sam Ervin and Senator Baker. Time Code Start: 14:36. Keywords: Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals, impeachment, resignations. Network: NBC.

      8. Chancellor/Levine: Kissinger likely to be confirmed as Secretary of State; Burns wants tax increae to fight inflation. Time Code Start: 16:48. Keywords: hearings, investigations, appointments, nominations, taxes, increases, economy, economics, budgets, finances, recession, inflation, money, wages, costs, unemployment, prices. Network: NBC.

      9. Chancellor/Scherer/Nesse: President Nixon's veto upheld with Representative Gerald Ford and Secretary of State Rogers; effect veto has on health care with Jameson. Time Code Start: 19:22. Keywords: Presidents, bills, laws, vetoes, health care, health insurance, health, insurance, medical aid, cabinet, advisors, health care. Network: NBC.

      10. Chancellor/Hunt: Indochina; War effect on enlistments; West Point changes [Vietnam]. Time Code Start: 24:45. Keywords: Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam War, military, troops, schools, colleges, universities,. Network: NBC.

      11. Cronkite/Manitzas/Kalb: Chilean revolt; U.S. reported to have known two days before revolt. Time Code Start: 28:32. Keywords: South American, coup d’etat, putsch, military takeovers, military junta, civil wars, General Augusto Pinochet. Network: CBS.

      12. Cronkite/Morton/Drinkwater: Interest slows down housing industry. Time Code Start: 32:37. Keywords: construction, unemployment, real estate, buildings,. Network: CBS.

      13. Cronkite/Herman: Heating fuel allocation asked by small businessmen. Time Code Start: 37:09. Keywords: energy crisis, oil crisis, petroleum, oil supply, gasoline, fuel, shortages, rationing, allocations. Network: CBS.

      14. Cronkite/Schorr: Senate Watergate hearings with Sam Ervin and Senator Baker and Senator Gurney. Time Code Start: 39:30. Keywords: Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals, impeachment, resignations. Network: CBS.

      15. Sevareid: Analysis of Soviet repression. Time Code Start: 42:30. Keywords: Russia, USSR, Soviet Union, persecutions, violence. Network: CBS.

Context (External Sources)