Completion of Vietnam Study
Gelb completes the Defense Department history and prepares the finished study for delivery to Secretary Clark Clifford.
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
1969 in United States of America
Explore 326 historical events and records for United States of America in 1969.
Historical records for United States of America in 1969
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January
Pentagon Papers
It was classified Top Secret-Sensitive, although Sensitive was not an official classification and only indicated that access should be controlled.
Pentagon Papers
McNamara left the Defense Department in February 1968, and his successor Clark M. Clifford received the finished study on January 15, 1969, five days before Richard Nixon's inauguration – although Clifford claimed he never read it.
Pentagon Papers
The study contained 3,000 pages of historical analysis and 4,000 pages of original government documents in 47 volumes.
Pentagon Papers
It was classified Top Secret-Sensitive, although Sensitive was not an official classification and only indicated that access should be controlled.
Pentagon Papers
McNamara left the Defense Department in February 1968, and his successor Clark M. Clifford received the finished study on January 15, 1969, five days before Richard Nixon's inauguration – although Clifford claimed he never read it.
Pentagon Papers
The study contained 3,000 pages of historical analysis and 4,000 pages of original government documents in 47 volumes.
Pentagon Papers Classification
The completed study presented by Gelb remains classified at the Top Secret level.
Presentation to Clark Clifford
Gelb presents the completed Vietnam study to Secretary of Defense Clark Clifford five days before Richard Nixon's inauguration.
Appointment as White House Chief of Staff
Begins service as President Richard Nixon's White House Chief of Staff, formally holding the title Assistant to the President.
Presidential Inauguration
Inaugurated President of the USA
Bombing of Vietnam
Nixon proposes "mutual withdrawal" of troops, no bombing of NV
Peace
The first substantive peace talks in Paris
Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
Later records link Shaw to CIA Domestic Contacts Service reporting.
Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
Later records link Shaw to CIA Domestic Contacts Service reporting.
Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
CIA monitors and responds to Jim Garrison's New Orleans investigation.
Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
Later records link Shaw to CIA Domestic Contacts Service reporting.
Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
The nature of this project is still classified; what little information there is suggests that those cleared for the project may possibly have been "unwitting," and that it may have been related to gathering information from businessmen
Project QK ENCHANT
A document surfaced which seemed to imply that Shaw was cleared for "Project QK/ENCHANT.."
Project QK ENCHANT
Other persons cleared for this project include J. Munroe Sullivan, Shaw's "alibi," Peter Maheu (son of Robert), and no less than CIA officer E. Howard Hunt.
Project QK ENCHANT
The nature of this project is still classified; what little information there is suggests that those cleared for the project may possibly have been "unwitting," and that it may have been related to gathering information from businessmen.
Trial
Russo testifies that he had attended a party at the apartment of anti-Castro activist David Ferrie. At the party, Russo said that Lee Harvey Oswald (who Russo said was introduced to him as "Leon Oswald"), David Ferrie, and "Clem Bertrand" (who Russo identified in the courtroom as Clay Shaw) had discussed killing Kennedy. The conversation included plans for the "triangulation of crossfire" and alibis for the participants
Trial
At the party, Russo said that Lee Harvey Oswald (who Russo said was introduced to him as "Leon Oswald"), David Ferrie, and "Clem Bertrand" (who Russo identified in the courtroom as Clay Shaw) had discussed killing Kennedy.
Trial
Clay Shaw, the man Garrison charged with conspiracy in the JFK murder, testified under oath "No, I have not" to the question "Mr. Shaw
Trial
During Shaws trial Russos testimony was discredited by the revelation that he underwent hypnosis and had been administered sodium pentathol, or "truth serum," at the request of the persecution.
Trial
During the trial, Russo testified that he had attended an "assassination party" at David Ferries apartment, where Shaw, Ferrie, and Lee Harvey Oswald had discussed killing President Kennedy.
Trial
Later records link Shaw to CIA Domestic Contacts Service reporting.
Trial
The conversation included plans for the "triangulation of crossfire" and alibis for the participants. Russo claimed in September, 1963, he overheard Shaw and David Ferrie discussing the proposed assassination of John F. Kennedy.
Trial
The jury didnt see enough evidence to convict Shaw, and gave a verdict of not guilty. Russo testifies that he had attended a party at the apartment of anti-Castro activist David Ferrie.
Trial
the period 1948 to 1956
February
Issues a directive to the National Security Council for a rrapprochement with
Issues a directive to the National Security Council for a rrapprochement with China
Garrison Opening Statement
In his opening statement at Clay Shaw's trial, Garrison alleged that Shaw, Ferrie and Oswald had participated in meetings concerning a plan to assassinate President Kennedy.
Vietnamization
Forms joint US & Vietnam Armed Forces Joint General Staff. Adopts a policy of "Vietnamization", transfer burden of war from U.S. to ARVN
Drama
Makes his debut at Broadway appearing in his own play, "Play it Again, Sam"
Communism
Rocket & mortar attacks are launched on 100 cities & bases throughout South Vietnam
Trial
Andrews testified during the trial of Clay Shaw that the name "Clay Bertrand was a figment of his imagination" and that he had been "carrying on a farce" in order to prevent "bringing a lot of heat and trouble to someone who didnt deserve it"
Clay Shaw Trial
During Clay Shaw's trial, Perry Russo testified that he had attended a September 1963 gathering at Ferrie's apartment where, he said, Ferrie, Shaw and Oswald discussed assassinating President Kennedy.
International Agreement at Paris
Meets de Gaulle to agree a pact with China, seen by the State Dept as the main enemy
March
Miami Concert
Performs at Dinner Key Auditorium before later legal charges.
The Velvet Underground
Releases the self-titled Velvet Underground album, showing a quieter and more intimate songwriting style.
How these records were prepared
Generated from the World History Database historical_events table. Identical display records are collapsed; descriptions otherwise retain the stored text. Coverage and source quality vary. Check primary and specialist sources before citing individual historical claims.