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Conversation 502-001

TapeTape 502StartThursday, May 20, 1971 at 7:21 AMEndThursday, May 20, 1971 at 8:05 AMTape start time00:04:13Tape end time00:10:58ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Acheson, Dean G.Recording deviceOval Office
AI Summary

President Nixon dictated a formal memorandum addressed to Dean G. Acheson to express national appreciation for his long-standing contributions to American foreign policy. The discussion reflected on Acheson's pivotal role in the post-World War II era, referencing his seminal work, *Present at the Creation*. Nixon emphasized the importance of Acheson's service across multiple administrations, formally documenting the nation's debt to his diplomatic legacy.

Dean AchesonForeign PolicyWorld War IIPresidential AdministrationDiplomatic HistoryPresent at the Creation
AudioNARA Description

On May 20, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and Dean G. Acheson met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 7:21 am and 8:05 am. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 502-001 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 502-1

Date: May 20, 1971
Time: Unknown between 7:21 am and 8:05 am
Location: Oval Office

The President dictated a memorandum to Dean G. Acheson.

     Memo to Acheson
        -President's administration
        -World War II
        -[Unintelligible]
        -"Present at the Creation"
        -National appreciation
Transcript (AI-Generated)

This transcript was generated automatically by AI and has not been reviewed for accuracy. Do not cite this transcript as authoritative. Consult the Finding Aid above for verified information.

This is Levine Anderson.
He's a secretary.
He was in the Senate on the 12th.
I mean, for having been interpreted in the morning.
Yes.
I mean, he has a demonstration victory.
This is a
But in a deeper sense, they represented a victory for five administrations.
World War II.
Basis and committed to.
Three characters.
Two presidents.
And now, I look back,
Three.
Say that they were at the resurrection.
That's capital P, capital R. Close quote.
The nation is in your debt.
Three.
At the creation.
This man is not in quotes.
He's using capital C. At the resurrection.
Since then, it's not a great invention.
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