Watergate Scandal

Election and Inauguration

Nov 5, 1968

Republican Richard Nixon won the 1996 Presidential election. The election was intense as Nixon anticipated to win as he did not do so the previous time he ran for office.

Pentagon Papers Leaked

Jun 13, 1971

The papers provided proof that the public was being lied to and presidential administration was expanding Vietnam war efforts.

Who Are the Plumbers?

Jul 21, 1971

President Nixon developed a group of 5 men in attempts to stop leaking of more government information. Because they attempt to fix "leaks," they were coined the name "plumbers."

Burglury at the Watergate Hotel

Jun 17, 1972

Around 2 am, the Plumbers broke into the Watergate Hotel and planted surveillance devices to spy on the Democratic National Committee which was located in the hotel. This was in attempts to obtain information on their opponents.

FBI Links Nixon to the Break-In

Oct 10, 1972

As time passes, the FBI concluded that some information was linked to President Nixon. They suspected that the efforts come from a campaign to reelect Nixon into office for his second term.

Reelection Of President Nixon

Nov 11, 1972

Despite the information the public was recieving about Nixon, he won the 1972 presidential election with flying colors with more than sixty percent of the votes against George McGovern.

Resignation of Nixon Staff

Apr 30, 1973

After the former aides, also known as the Plumbers, were convicted of conspiracy, burglary, and wiretapping, H.R. Haldeman(Chief of Staff), John Ehrlichman(Domestic Affiars Assistant), and Richard Kleindienst(Attorney General) resign over the scandal. The White House counsel, John Dean, had also been fired.

Information Revealed

Jun 3, 1973

Jon Dean informed investigators that he had spoke with Nixon about covering up the Watergate scandal multiple times. Around the same time, prosecutors find a letter addressed to John Ehrlichman with detailed plans to break into the office of Daniel Ellsberg, whom of which released the Pentagon Papers.

Recoreded Conversations

Jul 13, 1973

Alexander Butterfield, which was the Appointments Secretary for the President, revealed in testimony that all telephone calls and conversations held in his office were recorded. When investigators went to obtain the recordings, Nixon refused.

Impeachment

Jul 24, 1974

The Supreme Court rules that Nixon must hand over the recordings. After this, the House Judiciary Committee passes an article of impeachment and charges Nixon with obstruction of justice.

Nixon Becomes the First President to Resign

Aug 8, 1974

Nixon gave his resignation speech and Vice President Gerald R. Ford assumed office. Ford later allowed Nixon to be absolved of his convictions.