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Watergate
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Beginning Troop Withdrawl
Nixon began to withdraw troops from Vietnam. At this time, he became popular with America's youth because they had been waiting for troop withdrawl for a very long time. Withdrawl was not complete until mid to late 1972. -
Trip to China
Nixon travelled to China to fix foreign relations, but the Chinese government sensed his dwindling power within his own government. -
Watergate Building Break-In
The Democratic National Committee Watergate building was broken into and vandalized. -
First Report of Break-In
Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward, two journalists for the Washington Post, were the first to investigate and report the Watergate break-in. -
White House Officials Arrested
7 White House officials were arrested for placing electronic devices in the Democratic Party Watergate campaign offices. -
Popular show M*A*S*H aired
M*A*S*H became very popular on American television on Sunday nights at 8:00. Although it was a comedy based on the Korean War time, it dealt with issues of the recent Vietnam War. -
"Negative Appeal"
During the 1972 campaign, a strategy known as "negative appeal" became popular as the voters of America began paying more attention to negative campaign adertisements rather than positive ones. -
Re-Election
President Richard Nixon (R) ran for re-election against Democratic candidate George Mcgovern. -
North Vietnam Bombings
Nixon unleased a campaign of bombs against North Vietnam without much warning to Congress. The bombings didn't end until December 31st of that month. This was an action that angered Congress as well as the American people, and was yet another moment in which Nixon lost popularity within his own government, his country, and even the world. -
Elvis Presley's Aloha From Hawaii TV Special
Elvis Presley's Aloha From Hawaii television special is seen around the world by more than 1 billion viewers -
Paris Peace Accords
A peace agreement was signed, supporting a cease-fire, the withdrawl of all US military troops from Vietnam, the return of all Prisoners of War, attempts at locating lost soldiers (from both sides), and peace discussions between the nations. -
Judge Demands Tapes
Judge John Sirica ordered President Nixon to hand in the controversial tapes, and the Supreme Court back him up in that order. -
First Hearings
In early May, 1973, the first Watergate hearings were conducted by Senators Sam Ervin (NC) and Howard Baker (TN). Baker wanted to know: "What did the President know, and when did he know it?" It was eventually uncovered that Nixon had participated in the activities of illegal campaign funds, and extensive political enemies list, executive power used against the names on that list, and obstruction of justice. -
Bombing Cambodia
President Nixon again unleashed bombings without speaking with Congress. This time his target was Cambodia. Again, the president's popularity declined. -
Secretariat wins Triple Crown
Secretariat becomes the first horse in twenty five years to win the Triple Crown. -
Dean Testifies
On this day, John Dean testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee that Attourney General John Mitchell had conducted the Watergate break-in, while President Nixon had directed it's cover-up. -
Tapes Revealed
White House aid Alexander Butterfield revealed that there were some taped conversations from three days after the Watergate break-in which had happened in the White House and would be important to the Watergate investigation. The tapes were later demanded by Judge Sirica, and subpoenaed by the court. Nixon at first refused the subpoena, under the defense of executive protection. -
Nixon vs. Congress (Vietnam)
Congress overrode Nixon's veto and instated a law preventing military actions in Southeat Asia. This event showed the President's dwindling powers in office. -
Saturday Night Massacre
Nixon ordered his Attourney General, Elliot Richardson, to fire his Solicitor General Archibald Cox. Cox had been conducting the Watergate investigation, and Richardson refused to fire him. Deputy Attourney General William Ruckleshaus was instead ordered to fire Cox. Caused Congress to instate two new laws: The Ethics in Government Act of 1978 and the US Office of Independent Counsel. Both aimed at limiting Presidential Executive power. -
Congress Overrules Nixon
The Congress overruled another Nixon veto, showing his increasing lack of power. They instated the War Powers Act which said that the President must inform Congress 48 hours before any military actions, and all military actions must be 60 days or shorter unless Congress allowed for longer. -
Sears Tower, Chicago
The Sears Tower in Chicago, opened in 1973, becomes the tallest building in the world in 1974. -
Transcripts Handed In
President Nixon handed in the transcripts of the controversial White House tapes. The actual tapes of conversations were later handed in, only to find that 18.5 minutes had been mysteriously deleted. -
Trip to Middle East
Nixon went to the Middle East after all the confusion in the US about Watergate. He was attempting to improve foreign relations, but world leaders in the Middle East sensed Nixon's loss of power within his own government and lacked some respect for him. -
Impeachment
The House Judiciary Committee voted the first Article of Impeachment against Nixon. -
Impeachment
Second Article of Impeachment published -
Impeachment (3)
Third Article of Impeachment published. -
Resignation
Nixon became the first US President to resign from office. He never admitted to any wrongdoing and was later pardoned by next president, President Gerald Ford. -
Pardoning
On his first day in office, Ford pardoned Nixon. Nixon was unconditionally excused from any crimes he may have committed against America during his presidency. Nixon recieved no charges because of the pardon.
