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September 24, 1969

Introduction

This almanac page for Wednesday, September 24, 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: Tuesday, September 23, 1969

Next Date: Thursday, September 25, 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.

    Announcements

    • Disaster Assistance for Minnesota (5 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 1313, September 24, 1969)
      Announcement of Allocation of Additional Funds for Repair of Damage Caused by Spring Floods.
    • Disaster Assistance for West Virginia (5 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 1313, September 24, 1969)
      Announcement of Allocation of Funds for Repair of Damage Caused by Severe Floods.
    • White House Fellows (5 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 1314, September 24, 1969)
      Announcement Concerning Applications for the Sixth Annual Program.

    Appointments and Nominations

    Awards and Citations

    • Presidential Unit Citation (5 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 1312, September 24, 1969)
      Announcement of Award to the 1st Brigade, 9th Infantry Division, and Attached Units, United States Army.
    • Presidential Unit Citation (5 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 1312, September 24, 1969)
      Announcement of Award to Company D, 4th Battalion, 12th Infantry, 199th Infantry Brigade, United States Army, and Attached Units.

    Proclamations

    Statements by the President

    • Subway System for Washington, D.C. (5 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 1313, September 24, 1969)
      Statement by the President Following Announcement of the Release of Funds for Construction of the System.

    Acts Approved by the President

    • H.J. Res. 614 -- Public Law 91-72
      Joint Resolution authorizing the President to proclaim the week of September 28, 1969, through October 4, 1969, as "National Adult-Youth Communications Week".

    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.

    • The President transmitted to the Congress the 1968 Annual Report of the St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation.

    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.

    • FRANK CHARLES CARLUCCI III, of Pennsylvania, to be an Assistant Director of the Office of Economic Opportunity, vice Theodore M. Berry.
    • HENRY S. ROBINSON, JR., of the District of Columbia, to be a member of the District of Columbia Council for the remainder of the term expiring February 1, 1970, vice William S. Thompson, resigned.

  • 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 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)
      Wednesday, September 24.

      Big military morning. President had breakfast meeting with Joint Chiefs of Staff, to let them cover their views on military budget cutbacks. First time he's met with the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Spent two hours, then had Laird, Kissinger, and Mitchell in the office for another two and a half hours, for a long Vietnam discussion. Laying the groundwork for the next moves.

      Called me in once to find out who the Republican Senators had elected as leader, but they hadn't voted yet. A little later, Scott was elected and I went in and told President. He was very pleased - feels Hugh will be effective leader, and that he can bring the liberals along, where Baker could not have, and we can hold the conservatives by ourselves.

      Big problems of the day were decision regarding the letter from Secretary Kennedy to Congressman Bush, in effect retracting his oil depletion position. President made a few changes. Then the Social Security battle internally over whether to include escalator clause. Harlow determined to do so because President promised it in campaign and our Congressional leaders favor it. Burns, et al., determined not to, because of uncontrollable dollar commitment. President ruled in favor of including it. Will have a problem on this with Arthur tomorrow, especially since
      he was adamant that he had to see the President, and didn't.

      President spent most of the afternoon at the EOB working on his briefing books for the press conference. Called, as usual, several times regarding need for more material on specific questions. Then had a haircut and went over to the Residence. Called me at home on need to plan weekly outside activity for Tricia - and concern regarding Nelson Rockefeller, mad because junior staff man called him. Can sure jump fast from the monumental to the totally infinitesimal.

      Refused to see Javits, who wanted to brief him before the Jewish Prime Minister visit tomorrow. Said he’s still waiting for a single Jew to call or commend him for giving Israel the Phantom jets.
    • 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 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-2022 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2022-01-19, Close-up portraits of Mary Alice Passman, Press Secretary Ron Ziegler's secretary. 9/24/1969, Washington, D.C. West Wing Portico, White House. Mary Alice Passman.

Context (External Sources)