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Richard Nixon

37th President of the United States

Richard Nixon served as the 37th president of the United States from 1969 to 1974. His presidency included achievements such as reducing U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War, establishing relations with China, and creating the Environmental Protection Agency. Nixon resigned from office due to the Watergate scandal, becoming the only U.S. president to do so.

Related

Watergate scandal Henry Kissinger Bill Clinton Lyndon B. Johnson Ronald Reagan Warren G. Harding John F. Kennedy Harry S. Truman Gerald Ford Jimmy Carter

Timeline

Birth of Richard Nixon

Richard Milhous Nixon was born on January 9, 1913, in Yorba Linda, California.

Richard Nixon's role in Alger Hiss investigation

In 1952, Richard Nixon worked as the lead committee member in the investigation of accused Soviet spy Alger Hiss, which ultimately uncovered Hiss’ role in the Communist Party and conviction on charge of perjury.

Richard Nixon Nominated as Republican Candidate

Richard Nixon was nominated as the Republican candidate for President and pledged to bring the nation together.

Richard Nixon Elected President

Richard Nixon was elected President of the United States, beating Vice President Hubert Humphrey and Alabama Governor George Wallace in the general election.

Richard Nixon's Presidential Inauguration

Richard Nixon is inaugurated as the 37th President of the United States on the East Portico of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.

Nixon orders secret bombings of Cambodia

On March 17, 1969, President Nixon orders secret bombings of Cambodia to destroy North Vietnamese supply routes and base camps, commencing with 'Operation Breakfast', as documented in Henry Kissinger's 'The White House Years' and H. R. Haldeman's 'The Haldeman Diaries'.

President Nixon's Long-Distance Phone Call during Moon Landing

President Nixon made the longest long-distance phone call in history, as astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin took mankind’s first steps on the moon.

Nixon Doctrine Outlined

On July 25, 1969, President Nixon outlined the Nixon Doctrine, which emphasized providing arms and aid to Asian allies to resist communist aggression, without deploying U.S. military forces. This doctrine had significant implications for U.S. foreign policy in Asia during the Cold War era.

Address to the Nation on the War in Vietnam

President Nixon addresses the nation about the war in Vietnam, revealing that North Vietnam rejected peace offers and seeking support from the American people. He emphasizes the importance of unity at home for successful negotiations and asserts that only Americans can defeat or humiliate the United States.

Nomination of Harold G. Carswell to the Supreme Court

President Nixon nominates Harold G. Carswell to the Supreme Court, sparking controversy due to the discovery of a 1948 speech advocating White supremacy. The nomination is ultimately rejected by the Senate on 04/08/1970, making it a rare occurrence in U.S. history.

US and South Vietnam assault into Cambodia

President announces a joint military operation into Cambodia to end the war in Vietnam, sparking nationwide protests.

Kent State University Shooting

National Guard shoots and kills 4 student protesters at Kent State University, leading to widespread protests across the nation.

Secret Oval Office Recordings Begin

President Nixon starts secretly recording conversations and meetings in the Oval Office and Cabinet Room, leading to a major political scandal known as the Watergate scandal.

President Nixon's Announcement of China Visit

President Nixon announced on national television that he had been invited to the People’s Republic of China, marking the end of a quarter of a century of hostility between the U.S. and China.

Nixon arrives in China

President Richard Nixon arrives in Beijing, China, marking the first time an American President had visited the country. A joint communique, later known as the Shanghai Communique, is released by the United States and China, calling for increased contacts and gradual U.S. withdrawal from Taiwan.

Strategic Arms Limitation Agreement with Soviet Union

President Nixon journeyed to the Soviet Union and signed the historic agreement on the limitation of strategic arms with Premier Leonid Brezhnev. He became the first President to visit the Soviet Union.

Nixon Visits U.S.S.R.

President Nixon travels to the Soviet Union for a historic summit meeting, marking the first time a sitting U.S. President visits the U.S.S.R.

Watergate Scandal Begins

The Watergate scandal started with a break-in at the Democratic National Committee offices in the Watergate office complex in June 1972, leading to a series of revelations about abuse of power by the Nixon administration.

The 'Smoking Gun' Conversation

Haldeman and Nixon discuss the progress of the FBI's investigation into the Watergate break-in, proposing to have the CIA ask the FBI to halt its investigation by claiming it was a national security operation.

Republican Nomination Acceptance

Richard Nixon accepts the Republican nomination for President of the United States.

Nixon's Landslide Victory in the 1972 Election

President Nixon wins the 1972 election by a large margin, securing 60.7% of the popular vote and 96.7% of the electoral vote, defeating George McGovern.

Resignations in the White House

President Nixon accepted the resignations of several key staff members and took responsibility for the Watergate affair.

Testimony before Senate Watergate Committee

On July 16, 1973, testimony before the Senate Watergate Committee revealed that all of President Nixon's White House conversations were recorded. This revelation had significant implications for the Watergate scandal.

Supreme Court ruling on Nixon's tapes

On July 24, 1973, the Supreme Court ruled that President Nixon must provide the tapes and documents subpoenaed by special Watergate prosecutor Archibald Cox. This ruling had a major impact on the unfolding Watergate scandal.

Nixon Refuses to Turn Over Subpoened Tapes

Nixon refuses to hand over subpoenaed tapes to the Senate Watergate Committee, chaired by Senator Sam Ervin, by claiming executive privilege.

President Nixon's Nationwide Television Address on Watergate

President Nixon delivers a nationwide television address addressing the Watergate scandal, reiterating that he had no prior knowledge of the break-in and denying any involvement in the cover-up.

Saturday Night Massacre

Nixon directs Acting Attorney General Robert Bork to discharge Special Prosecutor Cox, leading to the resignations of Attorney General Richardson and Deputy Attorney General Ruckelshaus. This event is known as the 'Saturday Night Massacre.'

Nixon Discloses Personal Finances

On December 8, 1973, President Nixon publicly revealed his personal financial information, showing that he had paid less than $1,000 in taxes for the years 1970 and 1971.

President Nixon resigns in the aftermath of Watergate

Following the Watergate scandal, President Nixon steps down from office.

Senate Watergate Committee Subpoenas Tapes

On January 4, 1974, the Senate Watergate Committee issued subpoenas for over 500 tapes related to the Watergate scandal, which President Nixon refused to hand over, citing confidentiality of presidential communications.

Nixon Refuses to Resign in State of the Union Address

On January 30, 1974, President Nixon delivered his State of the Union address, where he declared his refusal to resign and called for an end to the Watergate investigation.

Nixon Forced to Pay Back Taxes

On April 3, 1974, following an IRS investigation into Nixon's finances, the President was compelled to pay $432,787 in back taxes and $33,000 in interest.

Publication of Nixon's Transcripts

President Nixon announces the publication of transcripts of forty-six taped conversations subpoenaed by the Watergate Special Prosecutor and the House Judiciary Committee, marking a significant development in the Watergate scandal.

Supreme Court ruling on Nixon tapes

The Supreme Court ruled in an 8-0 decision that President Richard Nixon had to turn over sixty-four tapes, which disclosed his knowledge and participation in the cover-up of the Watergate burglary. The conversations on the tapes implicated Nixon and led to his resignation, the first time in United States history a President had resigned.

Articles of Impeachment Brought Against Nixon

The House Judiciary Committee brings articles of impeachment against President Nixon, including charges of obstruction of justice, misuse of power, and contempt of Congress.

Richard Nixon resigns as President

Amidst the escalating Watergate scandal and facing the threat of impeachment, President Nixon announced his resignation on August 8, 1974, becoming the first U.S. President to resign from office.

Richard Nixon Resigns from Presidency

Richard Nixon resigned from the presidency on August 9, 1974, becoming the first U.S. president to do so. This was due to his involvement in the Watergate scandal.

Richard Nixon Resignation

Richard Nixon resigned from the presidency following the Watergate scandal.

Nixon Accepts Pardon from President Ford

Richard Nixon accepts the pardon of President Gerald Ford for all offenses against the United States committed or taken part in during his presidency from January 20, 1969 through August 9, 1974.

Nixon-Frost Interview

The Nixon-Frost interview, which took place in the summer of 1977, became the most-watched political interview in history with over 45 million viewers, playing a pivotal role in shaping public perception of Nixon's presidency and the Watergate scandal.

Death of Richard Nixon

On April 22, 1994, Richard Nixon passed away at the age of 81 after suffering a stroke. Despite his wish to not have a state funeral, his high-profile funeral service was attended by all living U.S. Presidents and numerous VIPs.

End of the Timeline
Richard Nixon

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