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September 9, 1969

Introduction

This almanac page for Tuesday, September 9, 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: Monday, September 8, 1969

Next Date: Wednesday, September 10, 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.

    Addresses and Remarks

    • Senator Everett McKinley Dirksen (5 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 1244, September 9, 1969)
      The President's Remarks at Memorial Services for the Senate Minority Leader in the Capitol Rotunda.

    Executive Orders

    Proclamations

    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 announced the appointment of Lt. Gen. Donald V. Bennett, USA, for assignment as Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency.

  • 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.

    • Annotated News Summaries, Box 28, News Summaries - September 1969 [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.]
      • Birmingham News, "Coast warmly greets Nixon," 9/9/69

    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 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)
      Tuesday, September 9.

      Back at the White House. A little time to get used to the new decor. Some problems about lighting and color, etc. - but overall a great step forward, except for the Oval Office. President says he likes it, and keeps analyzing why. Maybe he really does.

      A generally undistinguished day of getting back to work.

      President going over usual things, especially PR. Does want thought given to new Ambassador to France since he feels Shriver will resign to run for the Dirksen seat. President spent the whole morning working on Dirksen eulogy, which he delivered at the Rotunda at noon. Was pretty good, but nothing of great note. For France, he wants a loyal Nixon man with ample money who speaks French and is not of the New York establishment. Preferably from Texas, California, Illinois.

      Big stir regarding Marvin Kalb, who really screwed us on CBS last night - saying President was "furious" with them which is totally untrue - we have been programming fully.
    • 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

  • 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. XVII, China, 1969-1972

    China, 1969

    • 31. Memorandum of Conversation , Washington, September 9, 1969, 3:15-4:05 p.m.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, POL CHICOM–US. Secret; Nodis. Drafted by Stoessel. The meeting was held in the White House. Although Stoessel’s memorandum notes that the meeting began at 3 p.m., the President’s Daily Diary indicates that the President, Kissinger, and Stoessel met from 3:15 to 4:05 p.m. (Ibid., Nixon Presidential Materials, White House Central Files) According to another copy of the memorandum, Stoessel forwarded it through the Executive Secretariat to Kissinger on September 20. (Ibid., NSC Files, Box 519, Country Files, Far East, China, Vol. III)

    Vol. XX, Southeast Asia, 1969-1972

    Thailand

    Vol. XXIX, Eastern Europe, 1969-1972

    Poland

    • 131. Memorandum of Conversation , Washington, September 9, 1969, 3 p.m.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, POL POL–US. Confidential; Exdis. Drafted by Stoessel. The meeting took place at the White House.

    Vol. XXXIV, National Security Policy, 1969-1972

    Parity, Safeguard, and the SS-9 Controversy

    • 46. National Intelligence Estimate , Washington, September 9, 1969

      Source: Central Intelligence Agency, NIC Files, Job 79–R01012A. Top Secret; [codeword not declassified]. The CIA and the intelligence organizations of the Department of State, the Department of Defense, the AEC, 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 representative of the FBI, who abstained on the grounds that it was outside his jurisdiction. The table of contents is not printed. The full text of this NIE is in the CIA FOIA Electronic Reading Room (www.foia.cia.gov).

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

    Nigerian Civil War

    • 115. Memorandum of Telephone Conversation , Washington, September 9, 1969

      In a telephone conversation with Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs Henry Kissinger, Saturday Review editor Norman Cousins indicated that he was going to meet with a representative from the Eastern region the following day. Kissinger stated he and the President would not take an official position until there was some hope.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Kissinger Office Files, Box 52, Country Files, Africa, “Cousins, Norman” Biafra. No classification marking.

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

    Mexico

  • 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-1929 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-1929-04A-17A, The body of Everett Dirksen in a casket, surrounded by an honor guard during funeral proceedings. 9/9/1969, Washington, D.C. Capitol Rotunda. honor guard, members of Congress, unidentified government officials.

    Roll WHPO-1930 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-1930-03-18, Ceremonial laying of a wreath at the casket of Everett Dirksen during his funeral proceedings. 9/9/1969, Washington, D.C. Capitol Rotunda. President Nixon, Dirksen family members, members of Congress, government officials, honor guard.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1930-13A, President Nixon laying a wreath at the casket of Everett Dirksen during Dirksen's funeral and lying in state in the Capitol building. 9/9/1969, Washington, D.C. Capitol Rotunda. President Nixon, Dirksen family members, members of Congress, government officials, honor guard.

    Roll WHPO-1931 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-1931-02A-06A, President Nixon standing in respect after laying a wreath at the casket of Everett Dirksen during the lying in state ceremony in the Capitol Building of Everett Dirksen. 9/9/1969, Washington, D.C. Capitol Rotunda. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Dirksen family members, members of Congress, government officials, honor guard.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1931-04A, President Nixon, Dirksen family members, and military officials stand listening as an unidentified man (possibly a family member) speaks at podium during the lying in state ceremony in the Capitol Building of Everett Dirksen. 9/9/1969, Washington, D.C. Capitol Rotunda. President Nixon, Dirksen family member, government officials, honor guard.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1931-07A-08A, President Nixon leaving the Capitol building after laying a wreath at the casket of Everett Dirksen during Dirksen's lying in state ceremony. 9/9/1969, Washington, D.C. Capitol Rotunda. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Dirksen family members, members of Congress, government officials, honor guard.

    Roll WHPO-1932 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-1932-03-32, Memorial lying in state ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda for Everett Dirksen. Military Honor guards stand at the 4 corners of his casket. President Nixon speaking from the podium to officials and cabinet members gathered in the Capitol Rotunda. 9/9/1969, Washington, D.C. Capitol Rotunda. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, William Rogers, military officials, Senators, Congressmen, honor guard.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1932-22A, Memorial lying in state ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda for Everett Dirksen. Military Honor guards stand at the 4 corners of his casket. President Nixon speaking from the podium to officials and cabinet members gathered in the Capitol Rotunda. 9/9/1969, Washington, D.C. Capitol Rotunda. President Nixon, Dirksen family members, members of Congress, government officials, honor guard.

    Roll WHPO-1933 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-1933-04-11, Memorial lying in state ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda for Everett Dirksen. Military Honor guards stand at the 4 corners of his casket while president Nixon speaking from the podium to officials and cabinet members gathered in the Capitol Rotunda. 9/9/1969, Washington, D.C. Capitol Rotunda, Mayflower Hotel. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Dirksen family members, William Rogers, Congressmen, Senators, military officials, honor guard.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1933-05A, President Nixon standing beside Dirksen family members, Senators, Congressmen, and military officials during the lying in state ceremony of Everett Dirksen, as the honor guard is carrying Everett Dirksen's casket into the Capitol Rotunda. 9/9/1969, Washington, D.C. Capitol Rotunda, Mayflower Hotel. President Nixon, Dirksen family members, members of Congress, government officials, honor guard.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1933-07A, President Nixon standing near the wreath he set beside Everett Dirksen's casket, during the lying in state ceremony of Everett Dirksen. Dirksen family members, Senators, Congressmen, and military officials look on. 9/9/1969, Washington, D.C. Capitol Rotunda, Mayflower Hotel. President Nixon, Dirksen family members, members of Congress, Senators, military officials, honor guard.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1933-12, President Nixon speaking after arriving at the Mayflower Hotel. 9/9/1969, Washington, D.C. Capitol Rotunda, Mayflower Hotel. President Nixon, honor guard, mourners.

    Roll WHPO-1934 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-1934-02A-25A, President Nixon attending the lying in state memorial service for Everett Dirksen in the Capitol Rotunda. 9/9/1969, Washington, D.C. Capitol Rotunda. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Dirksen family members, William Rogers, Congressmen, Senators, military officials, honor guard.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-1934-18A, President Nixon speaking at the the lying in state memorial service for Everett Dirksen. 9/9/1969, Washington, D.C. Capitol Rotunda. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Dirksen family members, members of Congress, government officials, honor guard.

    Roll WHPO-1940 Photographer: unknown | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-1940-, Copies of photographs of Herb Klein (Head and shoulders). 9/9/1969, unknown unknown. Herb Klein.

  • 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-690911
      Eulogy by President Nixon for Senator Dirksen at the Capitol Rotunda, with Senator Baker, and Senate Chaplain Elson. (9/9/1969, Capitol Rotunda)

      Runtime: 11:06

      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-3427
      "Today" Show with Senate Comments on Dirksen AND Dirksen Tribute with Nixon Eulogy.
      CBS
      Runtime: 1:00
    • WHCA-3428
      "The Making of the President: 1968", Pt. I.
      CBS
      Runtime: 00:56:31
    • WHCA-3429
      "The Making of the President: 1968", Pt. II. Richard Nixon, United Nations officials, Dwight D. Eisenhower (documentary subject).
      CBS
      Runtime: 00:28:47

Context (External Sources)