Watergate Scandal

Watergate Break-in

Jun 17, 1972

5 burglars with government connections are caught breaking into the offices of National Democratic Committee in the Watergate office building in Washington.

$25000 check found in Watergate burglar's bank account

Aug 1, 1972

The check is alleged from Nixon's presidential campaign

Republican fund for spying against Democrats reported

Sep 29, 1972

John Mitchell, while serving as attorney general, allegedly controls a secret Republican fund used to finance spying aginst Democrats

FBI says Watergate break-in part of massive spy campaign

Oct 10, 1972

Nixon reelected in landslide victory

Nov 7, 1972

Two of Watergate break-in convicted, five plead guilty

Jan 30, 1973

Nixon denies involvment

Apr 17, 1973

Nixon denies any prior knowledge of the Watergate break ins and appoints his own special prosecutor, Archibald Cox, to hold a separate investigation.

Three of Nixon's top White House staff resign

Apr 30, 1973

Hearing Televised

May 18, 1973

LinkTelevised Watergate hearings began.

Nixon refuses to testify

Jul 7, 1973

15 days after being accused of being involved in the coverup, Nixon refuses to testify or hand over any documents.

Nixon refuses to hand over presidential tapes

Jul 23, 1973

Nixon declares "I'm not a crook"

Nov 17, 1973

18.5 min gap found in one of few available tapes

Dec 7, 1973

1200 pages of transcript of tapes handed over

Apr 30, 1974

Impeachment hearings begin

May 9, 1974

The hearings against Nixon are for:
1. obstructing the investigation of the break in
2. misuse of power and breaking his oath of office
3. failure to obey the laws requring him to hand over evidence

Last Transcripts released

Aug 5, 1974

Nixon released transcripts of three conversations with Haldeman just after the break-in.

Nixon resigns

Aug 9, 1974

YoutubeNixon resigns due to presure from the public. He tells the nation the day before on the 8th of August