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September 18, 1973

Introduction

This almanac page for Tuesday, September 18, 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: Monday, September 17, 1973

Next Date: Wednesday, September 19, 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.

    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 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. E-8, Documents on South Asia, 1973-1976

    Indian Ocean Region

    • 62. Telegram 2330 From the Embassy in Sri Lanka to the Department of State, Colombo, September 18, 1973, 1110Z

      The Embassy provided for the Department an updated narcotics control plan speculating on the possible export of hashish and opium from Sri Lanka.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files. Confidential; Priority. It was repeated to Islamabad, Kabul, Katmandu, New Delhi, USUN, Geneva, and DEA. For the previous report see telegram 419 from Colombo, February 15 (Ibid., Central Files 1970–73, Box 3097, SOC 11–5 Sri Lanka-Sweden)

    India-Pakistan 1

    • 147. Memorandum of Conversation, Washington, September 18, 1973, 11 a.m.-12:45 p.m.

      Account of Prime Minister Bhutto’s meeting with President Nixon during the first day of his official visit.

      Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Kissinger-Scowcroft West Wing Office File, Box 19, India/Pakistan (2). Top Secret; Eyes Only. The meeting took place in the Oval Office of the White House.

    Vol. E-15, Part 2, Documents on Western Europe, 1973-1976, Second, Revised Edition

    Portugal, 1973-1976

  • 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-E1476 Photographer: Moore, Robert (Supervisor/Director, WHPO Photographic Laboratory) | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E1476-, President Nixon greets Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto of Pakistan upon his arrival at the White House. 9/18/1973, Washington, D.C. White House. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, unidentified officials, reporters, photographers.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E1476-12, President Nixon, Pat Nixon, officials, and news reporters at the North Portico waiting to greet Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto of Pakistan. Viewed from behind, before limousine door is opened by guard. 9/18/1973, Washington, D.C. White House. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, unidentified officials, reporters, photographers.

    Roll WHPO-E1477 Photographer: Moore, Robert (Supervisor/Director, WHPO Photographic Laboratory) | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E1477-, Arrival ceremonies of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto (Prime Minister of Pakistan).. 9/18/1973, Washington, D.C. White House.

    Roll WHPO-E1478 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E1478-, Arrival ceremonies and meeting of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto (Prime Minister of Pakistan). 9/18/1973, Washington, D.C. White House.

    Roll WHPO-E1479 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E1479-, Arrival ceremonies of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto (Prime Minister of Pakistan). 9/18/1973, Washington, D.C. White House.

    Roll WHPO-E1480 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E1480-, President Nixon seated in the Oval Office with Zulfikar Ali Bhutto (Prime Minister of Pakistan). 9/18/1973, Washington, D.C. White House.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E1480-08, President Nixon standing at attention with Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto of Pakistan, Pat Nixon, and Mrs. Bhutto at the Diplomatic Entrance to the White House. 9/18/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, Diplomatic Entrance. President Nixon, Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Pat Nixon, Mrs. Bhutto.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E1480-27, President Nixon seated in the Oval Office with Prime Minister of Pakistan Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. 9/18/1973, Washington, D.C. White House. President Nixon, Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.

    Roll WHPO-E1481 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E1481-, President Nixon standing with Zulfikar Ali Bhutto (Prime Minister of Pakistan). 9/18/1973, Washington DC White House.

    Roll WHPO-E1482 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E1482-, Arrival of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto (Prime Minister of Pakistan).). 9/18/1973, Washington DC White House, East Room.

    Roll WHPO-E1483 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E1483-, Arrival of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto (Prime Minister of Pakistan). 9/18/1973, Washington DC White House, East Room.

    Roll WHPO-E1484 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E1484-, Arrival of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto (Prime Minister of Pakistan). 9/18/1973, Washington DC White House, East Room.

    Roll WHPO-E1486 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E1486-, Departure of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto (Prime Minister of Pakistan). 9/18/1973, Washington DC White House.

    Roll WHPO-E1487 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E1487-, State Dinner held in-honor of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto (Prime Minister of Pakistan). 9/18/1973, Washington DC White House.

    Roll WHPO-E1488 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E1488-, State Dinner evening events held in-honor of Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto of Pakistan. 9/18/1973, Washington DC White House. President Nixon, Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Pat Nixon, Mrs. Bhutto.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E1488-28, President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Prime Minster Zulfikar Ali Bhutto of Pakistan, and Mrs. Bhutto pose for a formal portait at the Grand Staircase before a State dinner. 9/18/1973, Washington DC White House. President Nixon, Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Pat Nixon, Mrs. Bhutto.

    Roll WHPO-E1489 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E1489-, Luncheon held in-honor of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto (Prime Minister of Pakistan). 9/18/1973, Washington DC unknown.

  • 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-730912
      State arrival ceremony for Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. (9/18/1973)

      Runtime: 5:10

      Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.
    • WHCA-SR-P-730913
      Photo opportunity with Prime Minister Bhutto. (9/18/1973)

      Runtime: 5:00

      Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.
    • WHCA-SR-P-730914
      Remarks by President Nixon in toast to Prime Minister Bhutto, with Prime Minister Bhutto. (9/18/1973)

      Runtime: 7:15

      Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.
    • WHCA-SR-P-730915
      Remarks by President Nixon prior to entertainment for Prime Minister Ali Bhutto of Pakistan. (9/18/1973, East Room)

      Runtime: 0:01:46

      Keywords: Musician, musicians, music, celebrities, performance

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

      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-297
      Press briefing by Gerald Warren. (9/18/1973, White House Press Lobby)

      Runtime: 35:35:00

      Keywords: Press conferences, news conferences, interviews, media

      Production credits: Audio feed supplied by WHCA; Recorded by JBA (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-6557
      Weekly News Summary, Tape I.
      ALL NETWORKS
      Runtime: 01:16:52

      1. Smith/Jarriel: President Nixon discusses defense funds cut with Congress with Senator Sennis. Time Code Start: 00:00. Keywords: Presidents, House of Representatives, military, Armed Forces, budgets, reductions, decreases. Network: ABC.

      2. Reasoner/Chapman: Japan's new defense buildup. Time Code Start: 02:22. Keywords: Japanese, miltiary, increases. Network: ABC.

      3. Reasoner/Murphy/Schoumacher: Chilean coup. Time Code Start: 04:16. Keywords: South American, coup d’etat, putsch, military takeovers, military junta, civil wars, General Augusto Pinochet. Network: ABC.

      4. Reasoner/ Schoumacher: Segretti and indictments. Time Code Start: 07:30. Keywords: Dirty Tricks, political sabotage, trials, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, Presidential elections, campaigns. Network: ABC.

      5. Smith: Commentary on the Presidential power; Mondale. Time Code Start: 09:56. Keywords: Presidents, declarations of war, laws, Senators, voting, limitations. Network: ABC.

      6. Chancellor/Stern: Vice President Agnew inquiry; Donald Segretti; E. Howard Hunt. Time Code Start: 11:42. Keywords: Vice Presidents, taxes, investments, Dirty Tricks, political sabotage, trials, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, Presidential elections, campaigns. Network: NBC.

      7. Chancellor/Levine: Secretary of Agriculture Butz on campaign for high food prices. Time Code Start: 14:40. Keywords: food, markets, retail stores, prices, costs, increases, shortages, cabinet, advisors. Network: NBC.

      8. Chancellor/Brokaw/Duke: Senator Stennis meets with President Nixon on defense spending. Time Code Start: 17:35. Keywords: Presidents, meetings, Senators, military, defense, defense, budgets, costs, funding, finances. Network: NBC.

      9. Chancellor: President Nixon meets with Secretary Shultz. Time Code Start: 19:40. Keywords: Presidents, cabinet, advisors, meetings. Network: NBC.

      10. Cronkite/Schorr/Mudd: Segretti pleads guilty and cooperates with Archibald Cox; Mondale speech. Time Code Start: 20:23. Keywords: Dirty Tricks, political sabotage, trials, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, Presidential elections, campaigns, lawyers, attorneys. Network: CBS.

      11. Cronkite/Threlkeld: President Nixon sent environmental policy to Congress. Time Code Start: 23:57. Keywords: Presidents, bills, laws, rulings, ecology, water, hazardous wastes, pollution control, clean air, endangered species, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Network: CBS.

      12. Smith/Zimmerman/Jarriel: Will Vice President Agnew resign?. Time Code Start: 29:23. Keywords: Vice Presidents, resignations, terminations, taxes, investments, investigations, hearings. Network: ABC.

      13. Reasoner/Donaldson: Watergate hearings. Time Code Start: 33:18. Keywords: Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals, impeachment, resignations. Network: ABC.

      14. Smith/Downs: Hearings on stolen securities. Time Code Start: 35:31. Keywords: theft, investments, stocks, bonds. Network: ABC.

      15. Reasoner/Young: Prime Minister Bhutto of Pakistan visits President Nixon. Time Code Start: 37:30. Keywords: Presidents, Pakistani, Prime Ministers, meetings. Network: ABC.

      16. Smith/Choiffi: Kissinger approved for Secretary of State; Norodom Sihanouk of Cambodia doesn't like him. Time Code Start: 39:45. Keywords: Cambodia, royalty, Heads of State, leaders, investigations, appointments, approvals, public opinions, cabinet, advisors. Network: ABC.

      17. Reasoner/Tomlinson: Fitzgerald; Senator Proxmire; waste in government; C5A aircraft. Time Code Start: 43:48. Keywords: Armed Forces, military, aircraft, heavy cargo transport planes, jets, Lockheed C5 Galaxy class, repair investigations, criticisms. Network: ABC.

      18. Reasoner: Commentary on freebies. Time Code Start: 45:48. Keywords: gifts, donations. Network: ABC.

      19. Chancellor/Nessen/Brokaw: Vice President Agnew inquiry with Victor Gold; former Agnew aide. Time Code Start: 47:34. Keywords: Vice Presidents, resignations, terminations, taxes, investments, investigations, hearings. Network: NBC.

      20. Chancellor/Goralski: Mastriani testifies he was hired to assassinate the Prime Minister of the Bahamas. Time Code Start: 51:29. Keywords: trials, assassinations, plots, courts, testimony. Network: NBC.

      21. Chancellor/Stern: Watergate. Time Code Start: 54:10. Keywords: Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals, impeachment, resignations. Network: NBC.

      22. Chancellor: Kissinger's confirmation as Secretary of State seems complete. Time Code Start: 56:31. Keywords: cabinet, advisors, nominees, appointees, hearings, investigations, confirmations. Network: NBC.

      23. Chancellor: food prices. Time Code Start: 56:52. Keywords: food, meat, agriculture, animal products, dairy products, prices, costs, increases, shortages. Network: NBC.

      24. Chancellor/Rosenfeld: Prime Minister Bhutto of Pakistan visits President Nixon at the White House. Time Code Start: 58:48. Keywords: Presidents, Pakistani, Prime Ministers, meetings Begum Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. Network: NBC.

      25. Chancellor/Brinkley: Commentary on campaign spending. Time Code Start: 60:50. Keywords: Presidential elections, campaigns, campaigning, candidates, costs, funding, finances, money. Network: NBC.

      26. Cronkite/Rather: Speculation on Vice President Agnew's resignation. Time Code Start: 62:45. Keywords: Vice Presidents, resignations, terminations, taxes, investments, investigations, hearings. Network: CBS.

      27. Cronkite/Schorr: Watergate hearings. Time Code Start: 65:01. Keywords: Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals, impeachment, resignations. Network: CBS.

      28. Cronkite/Stahl: Secret tapes on consumer actions. Time Code Start: 67:01. Keywords: bugging, bugs, wiretapping, wire taps, surveillance, spying, recordings, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, scandals. Network: CBS.

      29. Cronkite/Mudd: Campaign spending with Senator Ted Kennedy. Time Code Start: 68:55. Keywords: Presidential elections, campaigns, campaigning, candidates, finances, money, funding. Network: CBS.

      30. Cronkite: Kissinger's confirmation as Secretary of State. Time Code Start: 71:13. Keywords: cabinet, advisors, nominees, appointees, hearings, investigations, confirmations. Network: CBS.

      31. Cronkite/Morton: Mastriani testifies. Time Code Start: 71:40. Keywords: trials, assassinations, plots, courts, testimony. Network: CBS.

      32. Cronkite/Severaid: Commentary on President Nixon's second wind. Time Code Start: 74:01. Keywords: Presidents,. Network: CBS.

Context (External Sources)