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September 20, 1970

Introduction

This almanac page for Sunday, September 20, 1970, 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: Saturday, September 19, 1970

Next Date: Monday, September 21, 1970

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 Camp David, Maryland

  • 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.

    Letters, Memorandums, Etc.

    • Campus Violence (6 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 1254, September 20, 1970)
      The President's Letter to Educators and College and University Presidents and Trustees.

  • 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.

    No Federal Register published on this date

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.

    • Annotated News Summaries, Box 29, News Summaries - September 1970 [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. In addition to the individual document(s) listed below, you should also consult the full folder for the month.]
      • Wire Reports, Sept. 19-20, 1970

  • 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)
      Sunday, September 20.

      At Camp David. Kissinger called first thing regarding latest in Jordan. Syrians moved tanks in, then backed out. Testing us. Kissinger now worried because State wants to take to UN – Jordan wants us to give direct warning to Syria.

      Kissinger very worried about Rogers' plans. Finds he's in New York this week and just learned Dobrynin coming back and spending two days in New York. Kissinger afraid Rogers has plan to meet Dobrynin regarding deal on summit. Feels Rogers should not see Dobrynin – especially before NSC meeting Wednesday. Thinks Soviets will no longer come to Kissinger – because they have patsy in Rogers. Kissinger wanted me to call Rogers, tell him not to see Dobrynin - Kissinger didn't want to talk to President about this, but later agreed to on my recommendation, and it worked out fine. Says President problem is his reluctance to understand that tactics turn into strategy, and you can't let things go along and then try to save them without brilliant maneuver. Feels the real stake is Nixon credibility with Soviets.

      Has a real plot building – regarding whole Soviet plan. They have been building a strategic nuclear naval base in Cuba which will increase effectiveness of their subs six times. Now looking at sequence of events Kissinger feels they have been using summit and Egypt missiles as cover for their Cuba operation. Following same pattern as in ’62.

      In July, Russia affirmed all Cuban agreements and we did likewise (Kissinger thought this was signal that they wanted a Summit). August 15, we formally offered a Summit. August 20 they started building a full scale installation.

      Kissinger fears Rogers softness will mislead them – as Bush did in ’62. Thinks this will surface in ten days-two weeks. Can't hold until after elections, which is what President wants. Fears if Rogers goes ahead with Dobrynin meetings etc. Soviets will lose all their fear of Nixon – then President will have to go violently the other way. Last thing we want is crisis with Russians now – especially with this new strategic advantage. Is now beyond point of just indulging Rogers - could project a two year series of crises.

      Kissinger feels should not have summit because it would tie us down for weeks and prohibit our precipitating a confrontation for sometime afterwards – so would give them perfect cover for completing the sub base. Russia may well be heading to a showdown. Real long-range problem is we must have a game plan and we don’t.

      All this also explains why Dobrynin away so long – so we’d have no one to talk to regarding Egypt and Cuba. Egypt was smokescreen – especially because they were so blatant. Cuba is real kick in the teeth to Nixon. Kissinger urges he and I work together to handle all this - especially with President and vis-a-vis Rogers.
    • 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

Audiovisual Holdings

  • 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-3857
      "Face the Nation" with Mohammed El-Zayyat (UAR) AND "Meet the Press".
      All networks
      Runtime: 1:00
    • WHCA-3858
      "Issues & Answers" with Leonard Woodcock & Golda Meir.
      All networks
      Runtime: 1:00

Context (External Sources)