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September 25, 1969

Introduction

This almanac page for Thursday, September 25, 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 24, 1969

Next Date: Friday, September 26, 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.

    Appointments and Nominations

    • Interstate Commerce Commission (5 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 1318, September 25, 1969)
      Announcement of Intention To Nominate Robet Coleman Gresham as a Commissioner.
    • Department of the Army (5 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 1318, September 25, 1969)
      Announcement of Intention To Nominate Robert Louis Johnson To Be Assistant Secretary of the Army for Research and Development.
    • National Library of Medicine (5 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 1318, September 25, 1969)
      Announcement of Intention To Nominate Jack Malcolm Layton as a Member of the Board of Regents.
    • Military Liaison Committee to the Atomic Energy Commission (5 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 1318, September 25, 1969)
      Announcement of Intention To Nominate Dr. Carl Walske for Reappointment as Chairman of the Committee.

    Congress, Communications to

    • Social Security (5 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 1319, September 25, 1969)
      The President's Message to the Congress Recommending an Increase in the Benefits and Certain Changes in the Program.

    Meetings With Foreign Leaders

    Proclamations

    Checklist of White House Press Releases

    The releases listed below, made public by the Office of the White House Press Secretary during the period covered by this issue, are not included in the issue.

    • Press conference of Dr. Arthur P. Burns, Counsellor to the President, Robert M. Ball, Commissioner, Social Security Administration, Howard Cohen, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Welfare Legislation, and Alvin M. David, Assistant Commissioner, Social Security Administration, on the President's message to the Congress on social security.

    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.

    • PAUL J. O'NEILL, of Florida, to be a member of the Subversive Activities Control Board for a term of 5 years expiring August 9, 1974, vice Leonard L. Sells, term expired.
    • ROBERT COLEMAN GRESHAM, of Maryland, to be an Interstate Commerce Commissioner for the remainder of the term expiring December 31, 1974, vice Wallace R. Burke, deceased.
    • ROBERT LOUIS JOHNSON, of California, to be an Assistant Secretary of the Army, vice Russell D. O'Neal, 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

  • 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.

  • 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. II, Organization and Management of U.S. Foreign Policy, 1969-1972

    The NSC System

    • 77. Memorandum From the Director of the Planning Staff, National Security Council (Osgood) to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) , Washington, September 25, 1969

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 1319, NSC Unfiled Material 1969. Confidential. Sent for action. In forwarding the memorandum to Kissinger, Haig stated that it was “replete with generalities but does codify much of what you have outlined as the role of the Planning Staff.” (Memorandum from Haig to Kissinger, September 26; ibid.) In an October 1 memorandum to the President, Kissinger commented that the Planning Staff was “being strengthened under Osgood’s direction to do medium and long-range planning and to consider policy and program alternatives in some key areas,” with a greater emphasis “placed on trying to isolate some critical issues which do not get the kind of advance attention they deserve. I expect this to assume an increasingly important role in generating new thinking and alternatives for Council consideration.” (Ibid., White House Central Files, Subject Files, FG 6–6)

    Vol. IV, Foreign Assistance, International Development, Trade Policies, 1969-1972

    Commodities and Strategic Materials, 1969-1972

    Vol. XVII, China, 1969-1972

    China, 1969

    • 36. Minutes of the Senior Review Group Meeting , Washington, September 25, 1969, 2:25-3:35 p.m.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–111, SRG Minutes, Originals, 1969–1970. Secret. The meeting was held in the White House Situation Room. NSC staff member Jeanne Davis forwarded the minutes to Kissinger on October 7, under a covering memorandum in which she noted that Sonnenfeldt had reviewed and approved them. A notation on the covering memorandum indicates Kissinger saw it.

    Vol. XXIII, Arab-Israeli Dispute, 1969-1972

    The Rogers Plan

    • 52. Memorandum of Conversation, Washington, September 25, 1969

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 1237, Saunders Files, Chronological Files, Israel. Secret; Exdis. Drafted by Saunders on September 30. The meeting was held in the Cabinet Room of the White House. All brackets are in the original. “Draft” is written at the top of the first page.

    Vol. XXIX, Eastern Mediterranean, 1969-1972

    Greece

    Vol. XXXIV, National Security Policy, 1969-1972

    The Joint Chiefs of Staff Readiness Test

    • 68. Minutes of Review Group Meeting , Washington, September 25, 1969, 2:25-3:35 p.m.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–111, SRG Minutes, Originals, 1969 [2 of 3]. Secret. The meeting was held in the Situation Room of the White House. The entire minutes are published in Foreign Relations, 1969–1976, volume XVII, China, 1969–1972, Document 36.

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

    U.S. Policy Towards Terrorism, Hijacking of Aircraft, and Attacks on Civil Aviation: Israeli Attack on Beirut Airport and Hijacking of TWA Flight 840, January-December 1969

    • 27. Action Memorandum From the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs (Davies) to Secretary of State Rogers, Washington, September 25, 1969

      Davies recommended that Rogers send an oral message to Syrian President Nur al-Din al-Atasi on the TWA Flight 840 hostage situation. Attached was a telegram containing Rogers’ message to al-Atasi urging the Syrian Government to release the two remaining passengers.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1967-69, AV 12 US. Secret. Drafted by Baas and Davies and cleared by Seelye. A notation on the memorandum indicates that the attached draft telegram was drafted by Baas and Davies on September 24, cleared by Seelye, Wahl, Beaudry, and Loy, and approved by Rogers, and was sent to the Embassy in Rome.

    Vol. E-5, Part 1, Documents on Sub-Saharan Africa, 1969-1972

    Nigerian Civil War

    • 122. Memorandum of Conversation , New York, September 25, 1969, 2-6:30 p.m.

      In a meeting with Norman Cousins, the editor of the Saturday Review, and Biafran representatives, Roger Morris of the National Security Council staff stressed that the discussions were informal, secret, and implied no U.S. commitment. The participants discussed starting negotiations, a partial stand-down, the U.S. position, negotiation procedures, the Organization of African Unity (OAU), security guarantees, other powers, relief, and the shape of the settlement. Morris stated that he would convey the content of the conversation to the President and his assistant for National Security Affairs Henry Kissinger.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Kissinger Office Files, Box 52, Country Files, Africa, “Cousins, Norman” Biafra. Secret; Sensitive. The meeting took place in Cousins’s residence. An October 3 memorandum from Morris to Bill Watts indicates that the memorandum of conversation was forwarded to Kissinger. (Ibid., Box 742, Country Files, Africa, Nigeria, Vol. I)

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

    Cuba

    • 210. Memorandum From the President’s Special Assistant (Cole) to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), Washington, September 25, 1969. , Washington, September 25, 1969

      President’s Special Assistant Cole informed President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs Kissinger that President Nixon had seen a press report indicating that developments in Latin America could lead to improved U.S.-Cuban relations. Nixon instructed that the Department of State be informed: “absolutely not.”

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 780, Country Files, Latin America, Cuba, Vol. I. No classification marking. Cole signed Ken above his typeset signature. Haig passed the instruction to Eliot by telephone and asked Vaky to do the same, but not to do so in writing. (Memorandum from Haig to Vaky, September 25; ibid.)

    Dominican Republic

    • 271. National Intelligence Estimate 86.2–69, Washington, September 25, 1969. , Washington, September 25, 1969

      The National Intelligence Estimate described the political situation leading to national elections in May 1970 and predicted increased political instability and the possibility of a military coup. On the economic front, the estimate indicated that the Dominican Republic would continue to “depend upon the maintenance of U.S. aid programs at present high levels—supplemented by further special allocations of the U.S. sugar quota.”

      Source: Central Intelligence Agency, NIC Files, Job 79–R01012A, Box 373, Prospects for the D.R. Secret; Controlled Dissem. The Central Intelligence Agency and the intelligence organizations of the Departments of State and Defense, and the NSA participated in the preparation of this estimate. The Director of Central Intelligence submitted this estimate with the concurrence of all members of the USIB with the exception of the representatives of the AEC and the FBI who abstained on the grounds that it was outside of their jurisdiction.

  • 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 of many of these transcripts can be found on the Yale University Library website.

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-2023 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2023-03A-13A, 18A-21A, Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir and President Nixon standing together during Meir's arrival ceremony. 9/25/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, South Lawn. President Nixon, Golda Meir, Pat Nixon, aides, crowd.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2023-14A, Crowd waiting to see Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir and President Nixon during Meir's arrival ceremony. 9/25/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, South Lawn. President Nixon, Golda Meir, Pat Nixon, aides, crowd.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2023-15A, Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir and President Nixon walking together during Meir's arrival ceremony. 9/25/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, South Lawn. President Nixon, Golda Meir, news photographers, crowd.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2023-15A-17A, Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir and President Nixon walking together. 9/25/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, South Lawn. President Nixon, Golda Meir, Pat Nixon, aides, crowd.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2023-22A, Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir and President Nixon standing before a set of microphones during Meir's arrival ceremony. 9/25/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, South Lawn. President Nixon, Golda Meir.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2023-22A-33A, Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir and President Nixon standing before a set of microphones. 9/25/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, South Lawn. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Golda Meir, aides, crowd.

    Roll WHPO-2024 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2024-02A-04A, Pat Nixon receiving a bouquet from an unidentified woman. 9/25/1969, Washington, D.C. Diplomatic Reception Room, White House. President Nixon, unidentified woman.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2024-05A-07A, Prime Minister Golda Meir arriving at the white House Diplomatic Entrance. 9/25/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, South Lawn. Golda Meir, Nixon, crowd.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2024-05A-07A, President Nixon and Prime Minister Golda Meir walking across the South Lawn. 9/25/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, South Lawn. Golda Meir, Nixon, crowd.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2024-8A, 10A, 13A-16A, President Nixon and Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir on a reviewing stand during her welcoming ceremony at the White House. 9/25/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, South Lawn. Golda Meir, Nixon, crowd.

    Roll WHPO-2025 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2025-03, President Nixon walking across the lawn. 9/25/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, South Lawn. President Nixon, Golda Meir, military band, honor guard, crowd.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2025-04-05, President Nixon and Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir walking on the White House lawn. 9/25/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, South Lawn. President Nixon, Golda Meir, military band, honor guard, crowd.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2025-04A, President Nixon and Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir standing on the review platform during Meir's arrival ceremony. 9/25/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, South Lawn. President Nixon, Golda Meir, military officials.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2025-06-11, President Nixon and Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir on a reviewing stand during her welcoming ceremony at the White House. 9/25/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, South Lawn. President Nixon, Golda Meir, military band, honor guard, crowd.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2025-10A, President Nixon and Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir walk past a crowd during Meir's arrival ceremony. 9/25/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, South Lawn. President Nixon, Golda Meir, news photographers, crowd.

    Roll WHPO-2026 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2026-01-02, President Nixon and Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir on a reviewing stand during her welcoming ceremony at the White House. 9/25/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, South Lawn, Oval Office. President Nixon, Golda Meir, military band, honor guard, crowd.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2026-03-10, President Nixon and Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir sitting informally during a meeting in the Oval Office. 9/25/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, South Lawn, Oval Office. President Nixon, Golda Meir, military band, honor guard, crowd.

    Roll WHPO-2027 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2027-01-27, Arrival ceremony for Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir. 9/25/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, South Lawn. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, William Rogers, Adele Rogers, Golda Meir, military band, honor guard, crowd.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2027-17, Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir and President Nixon stand on the review platform during Meir's arrival ceremony. Troops and honor guard stand at attention nearby. 9/25/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, South Lawn. President Nixon, Golda Meir, military toops, honor guard, crowd.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2027-29-34, President Nixon walking Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir to her limousine after a private talk. 9/25/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, South Lawn. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, William Rogers, Adele Rogers, Golda Meir, military band, honor guard, crowd.

    Roll WHPO-2028 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2028-01-08, President Nixon and Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir on a reviewing stand during the Israeli Prime Minister's official arrival ceremony. 9/25/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, South Lawn. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Golda Meir, military band, honor guard, crowd.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2028-09, President Nixon and Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir reviewing the troops during her official arrival ceremony at the White House. 9/25/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, South Lawn. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Golda Meir, military band, honor guard, crowd.

    Roll WHPO-2029 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2029-03-11, A group of visitors and Mike Farrell. 9/25/1969, Washington, D.C. Jacqueline Kennedy Garden, White House. Mike Farrell, visitors.

    Roll WHPO-2030 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2030-07-12, Close-up portrait study of James Humes at his desk. 9/25/1969, Washington, D.C. Executive Office Building, office. James Humes.

    Roll WHPO-2031 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2031-, President Nixon and Pat Nixon greeting Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir upon her arrival prior to a State Dinner and descending the Grand Staircase with her. 9/25/1969, Washington, D.C. North Portico, Grand Staircase, White House. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Golda Meir, honor guard.

    Roll WHPO-2032 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2032-01-05, President Nixon, Pat Nixon, and Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir talking with composer Leonard Bernstein and violinist Isaac Stern. 9/25/1969, Washington, D.C. East Room, North Portico, White House. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Golda Meir, Leonard Bernstein, Isaac Stern.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2032-03, President Nixon and Pat Nixon talking with composer Leonard Bernstein and violinist Isaac Stern in the East Room. 9/25/1969, Washington, D.C. East Room,White House. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Leonard Bernstein, Isaac Stern.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2032-05, President Nixon, Pat Nixon, and Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir walking by the Marine orchestra in the Grand Hall. 9/25/1969, Washington, D.C. East Room, North Portico, White House. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Golda Meir.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2032-06-08, President Nixon and Pat Nixon saying goodbye to Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir. 9/25/1969, Washington, D.C. East Room, North Portico, White House. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Golda Meir, Leonard Bernstein, Isaac Stern.

  • 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.

    B - Vice-Presidential (Agnew and Ford)

    • WHCA-SR-B-022
      Remarks to Young President's Org.-E. Garden/H. Dent, J. Davies, Kleindienst. (9/25/1969)

      Runtime: 2:27

      Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.

    H - White House Staff Member Recordings

    • WHCA-SR-H-078
      Press briefing on P's Social Security Message, with Arthur Burns, Neil Ball, and Mr. Cohen. (9/25/1969, Roosevelt Room, White House)

      Runtime: 55:00:00

      Keywords: Press conferences, news conferences, interviews, media

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

      Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.

    I - Various Administration Events

    • WHCA-SR-I-019
      Recorded telephone call from Atlanta, GA [not rec'vd by NARA]. (9/25/1969)

      Runtime: 13:00

      Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.

    J - Entertainment at the White House

    • WHCA-SR-J-109
      Leonard Bernstein & Isaac Stern [see P-690922]. (9/25/1969)

      Runtime: 34:16:00

      Keywords: Musician, musicians, music, celebrities, performance, jazz, American popular music, classical music

      Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.

    P - Formal Presidential Remarks

    • WHCA-SR-P-690921
      Arrival ceremony for Prime Minister Golda Meir, with Prime Minister Meir. (9/25/1969)

      Runtime: 3:32

      Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.
    • WHCA-SR-P-690922
      Remarks by President Nixon in toast to Prime Minister Golda Meir, with remarks by Prime Minister Meir [see J-109]. (9/25/1969, State Dining Room, White House)

      Runtime: 24:45:00

      Production credits: Audio feed (probably pool feed) supplied by "WHCA Only"; No WHCA engineer initials listed

      Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.

Context (External Sources)