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September 21, 1973

Introduction

This almanac page for Friday, September 21, 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: Thursday, September 20, 1973

Next Date: Saturday, September 22, 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. E-9, Documents on North Africa, 1973-1976

    Libya, 1973-1976

    • 26. Telegram 187972 From the Department of State to the Embassy in Libya, Washington, September 21, 1973, 0042Z

      Summary: The Embassy was informed of the decision to place a bilingual rubber stamp in passports for U.S. Government officials traveling to Libya on official business.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files. Confidential; Limdis. Drafted by George M. Lane in AF/N; cleared by Blake, Bradford (info), Newsom, Watson, and Pickering; and approved by Porter.

    Vol. E-12, Documents on East and Southeast Asia, 1973-1976

    East Asia and Pacific Regional, SEATO, ASEAN

    • 5. Memorandum of Conversation, Washington, September 21, 1973, 10:05–11:30 a.m., Washington, September 21, 1973, 10:05-11:30 a.m.

      Nixon met with Sunthorn and discussed SEATO and Thailand.

      Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Memoranda of Conversation, Box 2. Secret; Nodis. The meeting was held in the Oval Office. The President’s Daily Diary indicates that it lasted from 11:38 a.m. until noon. (National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, White House Central Files, President’s Daily Diary) Kissinger’s talking points, September 21, for Nixon’s meeting with Sunthorn are in the National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 278, Agency Files, SEATO.

    Vol. E-16, Documents on Chile, 1969-1973

    "That Chilean Guy May Have Some Problems": The Downfall of Salvador Allende, January-September 1973

    • 153. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Chile, Washington, September 21, 1973, 0004Z

      Summary: During the daily news briefing on September 20—which took place between Kissinger’s telephone conversations with Church and Mankiewicz—the Department of State spokesman, John F. King, received numerous questions about the situation in Chile; King struggled, in particular, to answer concerns raised regarding the welfare and whereabouts of U.S. citizens detained in Santiago.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files, [no film number]. Limited Official Use; Priority. Repeated priority to all American Republic diplomatic posts, USUN, and USCINCSO. Drafted and approved by Bell in ARA/PAF; cleared by Karkashian in ARA/BC.

    • 154. Telegram From the Embassy in Chile to the Department of State, Santiago, September 21, 1973, 0036Z

      Summary: In response to previous instructions from the Department, the Embassy reported on its ongoing efforts to contact U.S. citizens either missing or detained by the military government in Chile.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files, [no film number]. Confidential; Niact; Immediate.

    • 155. Telegram From the Embassy in Chile to the Department of State, Santiago, September 21, 1973, 1715Z

      Summary: This telegram discussed a recent Chilean military request for funds to procure weaponry. Given the multiple recent requests by the Chilean military, the telegram predicted that their demands would continue to increase and concluded that it was important that the U.S. Government meet their needs.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 777, Country Files, Latin America, vol. VIII. Secret; Immediate; Nodis. Reference telegram 188023 to Santiago, September 21, is Foreign Relations, 1969–1976, vol. XXI, Chile, 1969–1973, Document 363.

  • 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-E1508 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E1508-02A-12A, President Nixon seated informally during a meeting in the Oval Office with SEATO (Southeast Asia Treaty Organization) Secretary General Sunthorn Hongladarom. 9/21/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Sunthorn Hongladarom.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E1508-03-05, President Nixon standing and seated informally during a meeting in the Oval Office with SEATO (Southeast Asia Treaty Organization) Secretary General Sunthorn Hongladarom. 9/21/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Sunthorn Hongladarom.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E1508-05, President Nixon seated informally during a meeting in the Oval Office with SEATO (Southeast Asia Treaty Organization) Secretary General Sunthorn Hongladarom. 9/21/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Sunthorn Hongladarom.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E1508-08-13, President Nixon and Henry Kissinger standing with Philip Odeen, departing member of the National Security Council. (NSC). 9/21/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Philip A. Odeen, Henry Kissinger.

    Roll WHPO-E1509 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E1509-02A-12A, President Nixon seated informally during a meeting in the Oval Office with SEATO (Southeast Asia Treaty Organization) Secretary General Sunthorn Hongladarom. 9/21/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Sunthorn Hongladarom.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E1509-11A, President Nixon seated informally during a meeting in the Oval Office with SEATO (Southeast Asia Treaty Organization) Secretary General Sunthorn Hongladarom. 9/21/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Sunthorn Hongladarom.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E1509-13A-17A, President Nixon standing in the Oval office during a meeting with Marshall Mays, President of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation. 9/21/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Marshall T. Mays.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E1509-18A-21A, President Nixon seated informally during a meeting in the Oval Office with Special Assistant Jerry Jones. 9/21/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Jerry Jones.

    Roll WHPO-E1510 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E1510-04-22, Formal closeup portraits of Henry Kissinger taken while seated at his office desk. 9/21/1973, Washington, D.C. White House. Henry Kissinger.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E1510-12, Formal closeup portrait of Henry Kissinger taken while seated at his office desk. 9/21/1973, Washington, D.C. White House. Henry Kissinger.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E1510-17, Formal closeup portrait of Henry Kissinger taken while seated at his office desk. 9/21/1973, Washington, D.C. White House. Henry Kissinger.

    Roll WHPO-E1511 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E1511-03-09, Formal closeup portraits of Henry Kissinger taken while seated at his office desk. 9/21/1973, Washington, D.C. White House. Henry Kissinger.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E1511-04A, Formal portrait of Henry Kissinger taken while seated at his office desk with paperwork. 9/21/1973, Washington, D.C. White House. Henry Kissinger.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E1511-10-13, Photographers standing in a group taking formal closeup portraits of Henry Kissinger taken while seated at his office desk. 9/21/1973, Washington, D.C. White House. Henry Kissinger, members of the press , photographers.

    Roll WHPO-E1512 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E1512-01A-07A, Formal closeup portraits of Henry Kissinger taken while seated at his office desk. 9/21/1973, Washington, D.C. White House. Henry Kissinger.

    Roll WHPO-E1513 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E1513-02-14, Formal close-up portraits of Henry Kissinger taken while seated at his office desk. 9/21/1973, Washington, D.C. White House. Henry Kissinger.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E1513-08, Formal portrait of Henry Kissinger taken while seated at his office desk holding paperwork. 9/21/1973, Washington, D.C. White House. Henry Kissinger.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E1513-13, Formal portrait of Henry Kissinger taken while seated at his office desk holding paperwork. 9/21/1973, Washington, D.C. White House. Henry Kissinger.

  • 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-093
      Photo opportunity with SEATO Sec. General. (9/21/1973)

      Runtime: 15:15

      Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.
    • WHCA-SR-K-094
      Photo opportunity with Comm. on Health Education-Oval Office [no PRESUS comments]. (9/21/1973)

      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-302
      Press briefing by Gerald Warren. (9/21/1973, White House Press Lobby)

      Runtime: 34:00:00

      Keywords: Press conferences, news conferences, interviews, media

      Production credits: Audio feed supplied by WHCA; Recorded by ABC (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-6558
      Weekly News Summary, Tape II.
      ALL NETWORKS
      Runtime: 01:31:56

      33. Smith/Gill: Vice President Agnew inquiry, Vice President Agnew meets President Nixon. Time Code Start: 75:03. Keywords: Vice Presidents, resignations, terminations, taxes, investments, investigations, hearings. Network: ABC.

      34. Reasoner: Kissinger is confirmed as Secretary of State. Time Code Start: 76:58. Keywords: cabinet, advisors, nominees, appointees, hearings, investigations, confirmations. Network: ABC.

      35. Reasoner/Reynolds: American people comment of Watergate. Time Code Start: 77:15. Keywords: Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, officials, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals, impeachment, resignations, public opinions, polls, approval ratings, Gallup poll, Harris poll. Network: ABC.

      36. Smith: Commentary on Secretary of State Kissinger. Time Code Start: 81:28. Keywords: cabinet, advisors, nominees, appointees, hearings, investigations, confirmations. Network: ABC.

      37. Chancellor/Oliver/Levine: Cost of living up. Time Code Start: 83:02. Keywords: economy, economics, budgets, finances, recession, inflation, money, wages, costs, unemployment, prices, reports. Network: NBC.

      38. Chancellor/Brokaw/Nessen/Duke: Vice President Agnew meets President Nixon. Time Code Start: 86:46. Keywords: Presidents, Vice Presidents, meetings, resignations, terminations, taxes, investments, investigations, hearings. Network: NBC.

      39. Chancellor: President Nixon will not go to Europe this year; Kissinger is confirmed as Secretary of State. Time Code Start: 90:09. Keywords: cabinet, advisors, nominees, appointees, hearings, investigations, confirmations. Network: NBC.
    • WHCA-6559
      Weekly News Summary, Tape III.
      ALL NETWORKS
      Runtime: 1:00

      1. Cronkite/Rather: Vice President Agnew meets with President Nixon. Time Code Start: 00:00. Keywords: Presidents, Vice Presidents, meetings, resignations, terminations, taxes, investments, investigations, hearings. Network: CBS.

      2. Cronkite/Drinkwater: San Clemente, California property underassessed. Time Code Start: 01:30. Keywords: Western White House, La Casa Pacifica, investigations, taxes, real estate appraisals, appraised value, assessments. Network: CBS.

      3. Cronkite/Threlkeld/Herman/Daniels: Food prices up; gas dealers striking; fuel oil shortage. Time Code Start: 03:50. Keywords: food, meat, agriculture,animal products, dairy products, prices, energy, petroleum, oil, gasoline, fuel, oil supply, oil supplies, imports, shortages, sales, costs, increases, rationing, natural resources. Network: CBS.

      4. Brokaw/Stren: Vice President Agnew inquiry. Time Code Start: 11:17. Keywords: Presidents, Vice Presidents, meetings, resignations, terminations, taxes, investments, investigations, hearings. Network: NBC.

      5. Brokaw/Valeriani: Secretary of State Kissinger sworn in. Time Code Start: 13:44. Keywords: President Nixon, cabinet, advisors, swearings in, ceremony. Network: NBC.

      6. Rather/Graham: Vice President Agnew inquiry. Time Code Start: 18:48. Keywords: Presidents, Vice Presidents, meetings, resignations, terminations, taxes, investments, investigations, hearings. Network: CBS.

      7. Rather/Pierpoint: Vice President Agnew misses Secretary of State Kissinger's confirmation; President Nixon speaking at the swearing in ceremony. Time Code Start: 21:09. Keywords: Presidents, cabinet, advisors, swearings in, sworn in, ceremony. Network: CBS.

      8. Rather/Schorr/Stahl: E. Howard Hunt changes plea and remarks on Colson. Time Code Start: 23:29. Keywords: cabinet, advisors, national security, intelligence gathering, covert activities, spying, espionage, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals. Network: CBS.

Context (External Sources)