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September 18, 1969

Introduction

This almanac page for Thursday, September 18, 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: Wednesday, September 17, 1969

Next Date: Friday, September 19, 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.

    Addresses and Remarks

    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.

    • Following his address to the General Assembly of the United Nations, the President met separately with the Foreign Ministers of France, Tunisia, the United Kingdom, the Republic of Vietnam, Thailand, Jordan, and Romania, and the Prime Minister of Mauritius. In the evening, he and Mrs. Nixon entertained at a reception for U.N. diplomats at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel.
    • President Pompidou of France has accepted President Nixon's invitation to visit the United States in late February.
    • The President's address to the 24th session of the General Assembly of the United Nations (advance text).

  • 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 Handwriting, Box 3, President's Handwriting, September 1969 [2 of 3]
      • Memo; Noble Melencamp to The President re: Summary of Mail Trends, September 11 - 17, 1969 (including telegrams). September 18, 1969. 11 pgs.
      • Memo; John D. Ehrlichman to The President re: Volunteerism. September 18, 1969. 1 pg.
      • Memo; Daniel P. Moynihan to The President re: New Federalism. September 18, 1969. 1 pg.
    • Annotated News Summaries, Box 28, News Summaries - September 1969 [During this period, the Staff Secretary only removed pages from the News Summaries which contained President Nixon's handwriting, often leaving the document with no date. Although there are no specific documents with this date, you should also consult the full folder for the month.]

    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)
      Thursday, September 18.

      UN Day. President didn't come in to the office. We left at 9:30, to New York. He gave a very good speech and was very good at reading it. Reaction was pretty lukewarm. They did finally stand and clap when he was introduced and came in, but there was no applause during the speech and they did not stand at the end. The General Assembly was full - all the delegates and audience seats. Small crowd in front, all very friendly. Met with lady President of General Assembly, and then with U Thant. Really a useless bunch. Kissinger says U Thant told him he should replace Thieu with a stronger leader in Vietnam. Some gall!

      Then to the Waldorf for private meetings with Foreign Ministers. Worked very well on our schedule of fifteen and twenty minute appointments. Really had to hustle. Decided to go to "21" for dinner after our reception. Ran into ZsaZsa, Gina Lollobrigida, Dorothy Lamour and Henry Ford. Shook hands after with crowd waiting in the street. Interesting, because LBJ couldn't even appear in public in New York - our reception most friendly and enthusiastic all through the city, and no anti demonstrators.

      I spent the whole flight back with Pat Nixon, about her White House Preservation Committee, and her staffing thoughts. She's determined to run her own operation in the East Wing - which is the right approach - but she will have to have a better staff to do it right. Good first step is her increased interest. Can build from there.

      Harlow called in New York to urge President take over Laird's plan to announce draft cuts. Feels it will be the best news we've put out yet. I talked to President and he agreed - and was very pleased to learn Laird was willing to do it. So we swung into action and switched Laird's press conference tomorrow to the White House. Press all intrigued with what's happening. The shift itself built up interest.

      President called Kissinger late tonight really upset by the Green Beret announcement of court martial - which topped his UN story in the Star headlines. Justifiably furious with Defense for letting this happen. And feels it's my fault because no PR control, but Kissinger told him I didn't even know about it. Also huge problem with Ross Perot.
    • 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. V, United Nations, 1969-1972

    Expansion of UN Headquarters

    Vol. V, United Nations, 1969-1972

    High-Level Meetings; Miscellaneous Issues

    • 13. Memorandum of Conversation , New York, September 18, 1969, noon

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 291, Agency Files, USUN. Secret; Nodis. Drafted on September 19 by Yost. A September 23 covering memorandum from Executive Secretary Eliot to Kissinger bears a handwritten note indicating that Kissinger approved the memorandum of conversation on September 25.

    Vol. XX, Southeast Asia, 1969-1972

    Thailand

    • 27. Memorandum of Conversation , New York, September 18, 1969, 4 p.m.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, POL US. Secret. Drafted by Dexter (EA/TB) and approved by Kissinger on October 6. The meeting was held at the Waldorf Towers. This conversation was also reported in telegram 160368 to Bangkok, September 19. (Ibid., Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 560, Country Files, Far East, Thailand, Vol. II)

    Vol. XXIX, Eastern Europe, 1969-1972

    Romania

    • 189. Memorandum of Conversation , New York, September 18, 1969, 4:50 p.m.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, POL ROM–US. Secret; Nodis. Drafted by Dubs. A notation on the memorandum indicates Kissinger approved it on October 6. The meeting took place at the Waldorf Towers. Both the President and Manescu were participating in the UN General Assembly meeting.

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

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

    • 143. Memorandum from the Assistant to the President (Moynihan) to Attorney General Mitchell, Washington, September 18, 1969

      Moynihan argued that the United States could cripple international heroin trafficking in 1-2 years through diplomatic initiatives with economic inducements. He also argued that the U.S. foreign policy establishment had never taken heroin trafficking seriously.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 357, Subject Files, Narcotics I. No classification marking. Copies were sent to Ehrlichman, Chris Miller, and Haig. Moynihan’s memorandum to the Attorney General was not attached.

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

    Tunisia

    • 142. Memorandum of Conversation , New York, September 18, 1969, 2:25 p.m.

      In a meeting with Foreign Minister Bourguiba Jr., President Nixon assured him the United States would do what it reasonably could to help Tunisia meet its military needs, adding that the Administration was prepared to cope with the political difficulties which additional aid, currently under review, was likely to cause.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, POL TUN-US. Secret. Drafted by Root. The conversation took place at the Waldorf Astoria during the annual meeting of the UN General Assembly.

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

    Mexico

  • 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-1979 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-1979-02-36, President Nixon addressing the United Nations General Assembly. 9/18/1969, New York, New York United Nations building. President Nixon, United Nations officials.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1979-29, President Nixon addressing the United Nations General Assembly. 9/18/1969, New York, New York United Nations building. President Nixon, United Nations officials.

    Roll WHPO-1980 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-1980-01A-22A, President Nixon addressing the United Nations General Assembly. 9/18/1969, New York, New York United Nations building. President Nixon, United Nations officials.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1980-08, President Nixon addressing the United Nations General Assembly. 9/18/1969, New York, New York United Nations building. President Nixon, United Nations officials.

    Roll WHPO-1981 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-1981-02-36, President Nixon addressing the United Nations General Assembly. 9/18/1969, New York, New York United Nations building. President Nixon, United Nations officials.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1981-25, President Nixon addressing the United Nations General Assembly. 9/18/1969, New York, New York United Nations building. President Nixon, United Nations officials.

    Roll WHPO-1982 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-1982-00-06, President Nixon, William Rogers, and Kissinger seated informally with unidentified officials from two countries. 9/18/1969, New York, New York Waldorf Astoria Hotel. Henry Nixon, William Rogers, Kissinger, Pat Nixon, unidentified diplomats and their wives.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1982-07-29, President Nixon, Pat Nixon and others in a receiving line for the president's UN Diplomats Reception. 9/18/1969, New York, New York Waldorf Astoria Hotel. President Nixon, William Rogers, Kissinger, Pat Nixon, unidentified diplomats and their wives.

    Roll WHPO-1983 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-1983-01-03, President Nixon and Pat Nixon exiting a helicopter at the Wall Street helipad and entering a limousine. 9/18/1969, New York, New York Wall Street helipad, U.N. building. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, U. Thant, Angie Brooks, aides, unidentified officials.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1983-04-09, President Nixon standing in a hallway with U.N. Secretary General U Thant, Pres. Of the Assembly Miss Angie Brooks, and others. 9/18/1969, New York, New York Wall Street helipad, U.N. building. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, U. Thant, Angie Brooks, aides, unidentified officials.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1983-10-14, Pesident Nixon and Pat Nixon surrounded by a crowd before entering the Waldorf Astoria Hotel. 9/18/1969, New York, New York outside and inside the Waldorf Astoria Hotel. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Kissinger, William Rogers, crowd, unidentified officials, aides.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1983-15-34, President Nixon, Henry Kissinger, William Rogers, and unidentified officials from several countries meeting separately, seated informally. 9/18/1969, New York, New York outside and inside the Waldorf Astoria Hotel. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Kissinger, William Rogers, crowd, unidentified officials, aides.

  • 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-690915
      President Nixon's address to the General Assembly of the United Nations. (9/18/1969, United Nations headquarters, New York)

      Runtime: 0:30:41

      Keywords: Environment, clean air, clean water

      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-3432
      President Nixon's U.N. Address & Commentary; Eisenhower Documentary Special.
      NBC
      Runtime: 01:04:41
    • WHCA-3433
      President Nixon's U.N. Address & Commentary.
      ABC
      Runtime: 0:45
    • WHCA-3434
      President Nixon's U.N. Address & Commentary.
      CBS
      Runtime: 0:45

Context (External Sources)