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Five men arrested
Five men are arrested at the Watergate complex after burgling the offices of the Democratic National Committee. Charges are also laid against G. Gordon Liddy (CREEP) and E. Howard Hunt, a former White House aide. The "Watergate Seven" were sentenced by judge John Sirica. -
James McCord and others lie
James McCord and others alleged that they had lied in earlier evidence at the urging of John Dean (counsel to the President) and John Mitchell (Attorney- General). These allegations of a cover-up and obstruction of justice by the highest law officers in the land blew Watergate wide open. -
The Senate votes (77-0)
The Senate votes (77-0) to establish a select Committee on Presidental Campaign Activities, chaired by Senator Sam Ervin (Democrat- North Carolina) -
Nixon announces dismissal of Dean
Nixon announces the dismissal of Dean and the resignations of Haldman and Erlichman, two of his closest advisers. The Attorney-General, Richard Kliendienst, also resigns and is replaced by Elliot Richardson. Archibald Cox is appointed as a special Watergate prosecutor. -
Senate hearings continue
Senate hearing continues. Alexander Butterfield disclosed the existence of the White House tapes and a protracted legal battle begins. Nixon claimed "executive privilege" for the tapes and argued that he should not have to hand them over. Archibald Cox and the Senate Watergate committee request the Supreme Court instruct Nixon to surrender the tapes. -
Nixon nominates Gerald Ford
Nixon nominates Gerald Fored, Republican Minority leader in the House of Representatives, as vice-president, following the resignation of Spiro Agnew on Bribery and tax evasion charges. -
The Saturday Night Massacre
The Saturday night massacreNixon orders the Attorney General to dismiss the special prosecutor, Archibald Cox. Richardson refuses to do so and resigns. His deputy is sacked for similarly refusing to carry out Nixon's order. Eventually, the Solicitor-General, Robert Bork, dismisses Cox. In the 1980's, Bork becomes a controversial Reagan nominee to the Supereme Court. His nomination is rejected by the Senate. -
Nixon releases some of tapes
Under immense pressure, Nixon releases some of the tapes. One tape is found to have a 18 and a half minute gap. Electronics experts report that the gap was the result of at least 5 seperate erasures. Nixon's secretary, Rose Mary Woords, denies deliberatly erasing the tape. -
Nixon releases edit transcripts of tapes
Nixon releases more edited transcripts of tapes. There is public shock at the foul language used by Nixon and the expression "expletive deleted" enters the vocabulary. -
Supreme court orders Nixon
The Supreme Court orders (8-0) Nixon to release more tapes that were potential evidence in criminal trials of his former subordinates. -
The House of Representatives Judiciary Committee
The House of Representatives Judiciary Committee voted (27-11) to recommend that Nixon be impeached on three charges, including obstruction of justice. -
Nixon releases three more tapes
Nixon releases three more tapes that prove he ordered a cover-up of the Watergate burglary on June 23rd 1972, six days after the break-in. The tapes show that he knew of the involvement of White House officials and the Campaign for the Re-election of the President. These tapes become known as the "smoking gun". The eleven Republicans on the Judiciary Committee who voted against impeachment say they will change their votes. It is clear that Nixon will be impeached and convicted in the Senate. -
Calls for Nixon to resign
There are calls for Nixon to resign and the Congress begins to seriously consider impeachment. -
Nixon resigns
Nixon resigns, the first president ever to do so. Gerald Ford becomes the 38th president. He nominates Nelson Rockefeller as vice-president. They become the nation's first unelected presidential duo. -
Ford grants Nixon
President Ford grants Nixon a "full, free and absolute pardon". -
Jimmy Carter defeats
Jimmy Carter defeats Ford to become the 39th president
