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September 16, 1969

Introduction

This almanac page for Tuesday, September 16, 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, September 15, 1969

Next Date: Wednesday, September 17, 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

    • Federal Communications Commission (5 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 1267, September 16, 1969)
      Announcement of Intention To Nominate Dean Burch as Member and Chairman and Robert Wells as a Member of the Commission.
    • Federal Maritime Commission (5 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 1267, September 16, 1969)
      Announcement of Intention To Nominate James V. Day for Reappointment as Commissioner.

    Meetings With Foreign Leaders

    Proclamations

    Statements by the President

    • United States Troops in Vietnam (5 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 1267, September 16, 1969)
      Statement by the President Announcing a Reduction in the Authorized Troop Ceiling.

    Acts Approved by the President

    • H.R. 12677 -- Public Law 91-68
      An Act to authorize the Commissioner of the District of Columbia to lease to the Jewish Historical Society of Greater Washington the former synagogue of the Adas Israel Congregation and real property of the District of Columbia for the purpose of establishing a Jewish Historical Museum.

    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.

    • HENRY J. COSTANZO, of the District of Columbia, to be Executive Director of the Inter-American Development Bank for a term of 3 years and until his successor has been appointed.
    • BERT C. HURN, of Missouri, to be United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri for the term of 4 years vice Calvin K. Hamilton.
    • JOHN T. PIERPONT, JR., of Missouri, to be United States Marshal for the Western District of Missouri for the term of 4 years vice Francis ML Wilson, term expired.
    • BRG. GEN. JAMES S. CHENEY, SSAN 261-09-3779FR to be The Judge Advocate General, United States Air Force, and appointment to the temporary and permanent grade of major general under the provisions of Section 8072 and Chapter 839, Title 10 of the United States Code.

  • 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.

    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, September 16.

      GOP leaders this morning, regarding legislative program. Many of them are now ready to take on the Democrats. Got so involved that a second session was set for Friday morning.

      Then Holyoake of New Zealand, and that ran over as President enjoyed chat with him. Appointment with DuBridge was carried over from yesterday and then postponed again from 11:00 until 5:00, so President could concentrate on UN speech with Kissinger. Also wanted Kissinger to sit in meeting to avoid DuBridge end-run regarding some planning board. Did finally get him in the late afternoon. President spent almost all afternoon on the speech - apparently he feels it's pretty good, but last shot was to order Kissinger to have it cut 20 percent. He kept thinking of things while he was working, and had me in many times. Some notes from the leader's meeting for follow-up, i.e., he can't endorse Cramer in the Florida Senate primary; talked to Ogilvie regarding new Illinois Senator, pleased it will be Smith not Anderson (who is Percy's man) because feels he'll work better with us (Bryce later learned that Smith is a labor captive and may be bad); got a blast from Tower regarding Administration versus business; wants to get moving on Social Secretary increase of 10 percent (Ehrlichman already ready to go on this tomorrow); insists on replacement of Hershey, etc. Also wants to try to get astronauts into Poland since Hungary turned them down.

      President worked until 7:30, then went over to change for Holyoake dinner. It went pretty well - not a full State Dinner. We tried a new format, with the receiving line at the door to the State Dining Room. I think it works much better than the East Room.
    • 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. II, Organization and Management of U.S. Foreign Policy, 1969-1972

    The NSC System

    • 73. National Security Decision Memorandum 23, Washington, September 16, 1969

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–211, National Security Decision Memoranda, NSDM 23. Top Secret. A copy was sent to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

    Vol. V, United Nations, 1969-1972

    Expansion of UN Headquarters

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

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

    Vol. XX, Southeast Asia, 1969-1972

    Thailand

    Vol. E-2, Documents on Arms Control and Nonproliferation, 1969-1972

    Chemical and Biological Warfare; Geneva Protocol; Biological Weapons Convention

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

    Nigerian Civil War

    • 117. Telegram 8336 From the Embassy in Nigeria to the Department of State, Lagos, September 16, 1969, 1111Z

      The Embassy reported that Biafra was expanding its air force through acquisition of T–6 airplanes and needed more aviation gas, which was obtained from relief flights based in Sao Tome and Libreville. This increased friction between the Federal Military Government (FMG) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). Delivery of C–97s to Joint Church Aid U.S.A., Inc. (JCA) threatened to have an adverse effect on the U.S. position in Nigeria unless strict fuel control measures were adopted.

      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 514, Folder A–2. Confidential. Repeated to Geneva, DIA, and CINCSTRIKE.

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

    Libya

    • 39. Intelligence Memorandum, Washington, September 16, 1969

      This 9 page CIA paper, titled “Implications of the Libyan Coup: Some Initial Thoughts,” examined the nature of the new regime and the future of Libyan politics; the effect of this new government on western military facilities and petroleum interests; and outlined the larger consequences this coup would have on the larger Arab world.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 1239, Saunders Files, Libya, 1969. Secret. Prepared in the Office of National Estimates, Central Intelligence Agency. It was discussed with representatives of the Office of Current Intelligence and the Office of Economic Research, who were in general agreement with its judgments. In the September 10 research memorandum RAF 18, Denney furnished Rogers with information on the leaders of the Libyan Revolutionary Command Council. (Ibid., RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, POL 15 Libya) Another Central Intelligence Agency memorandum released in September, ER IM 69–125, assessed the importance of Libyan oil to the United States and its allies. (Central Intelligence Agency, OER Files, IM 69–125)

  • 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-1963 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-1963-02A-03A, Pat Nixon with Mrs. Holyoake. 9/16/1969, Washington, D.C. Yellow Oval Room, White House. Pat Nixon, Mrs. Holyoake.

    Roll WHPO-1965 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-1965-04-09, Visiting radio disc jockeys seated around a conference table. 9/16/1969, Washington, D.C. unknown. unidentified disc jockeys.

    Roll WHPO-1966 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-1966-06A-12A, President Nixon, Pat Nixon, New Zealand Prime Minister Keith Holyoake, and Mrs. Holyoake arriving to dinner. 9/16/1969, Washington, D.C. Grand Stairs, White House. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Keith Holyoake, Mrs. Holyoake, honor guard.

    Roll WHPO-1967 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-1967-10A-24A, President Nixon and Pat Nixon greeting New Zealand Prime Minister and Mrs. Keith Holyoake upon their arrival for dinner. 9/16/1969, Washington, D.C. North Portico, White House. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Keith Holyoake, Mrs. Holyoake.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1967-28A-31A, President Nixon and Pat Nixon walking with New Zealand Prime Minister and Mrs. Keith Holyoake iton the Grand Hall for dinner. 9/16/1969, Washington, D.C. Grand Hall, White House. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Keith Holyoake, Mrs. Holyoake.

    Roll WHPO-1968 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-1968-01A-08A, President Nixon escorting New Zealand Prime Minister Keith Holyoake to his limousine on his departure from the White House. 9/16/1969, Washington, D.C. White House grounds. President Nixon, Keith Holyoake, aides, press members.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1968-09A, President Nixon returning to White House. 9/16/1969, Washington, D.C. White House grounds. President Nixon, aides, press members.

  • 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-075
      Press briefing by Ronald Ziegler and Henry Kissinger. (9/16/1969, Roosevelt Room, White House)

      Runtime: 1:27:00

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

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

      Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.

    I - Various Administration Events

    • WHCA-SR-I-016
      Discussion on drugs with Charles "Bud" Wilkinson and others. (9/16/1969, [None listed])

      Runtime: 6:12:00

      Keywords: drugs, drug abuse, narcotics, heroin, marijuana, addicts, addiction, prevention, programs

      Production credits: Audio feed supplied by "WHCA only"; Recorded by RHD (initials of WHCA engineer)

      Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.

    P - Formal Presidential Remarks

    • WHCA-SR-P-690912
      Statement re lowering of US troop ceiling in Vietnam. (9/16/1969)

      Runtime: 2:10

      Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.
    • WHCA-SR-P-690913
      Remarks by President Nixon in toast at a state dinner for Prime Minster of New Zealand Keith Holyoake, with remarks by Prime Minster Holyoake. (9/16/1969, State Dining Room, White House)

      Runtime: 6:45

      Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.

Context (External Sources)