Richard Nixon and the Watergate Scandal Chapter 31
Break-In June 17, 1972 Democratic Committee Headquarters— Watergate building – Washintgon D.C.
Frank Willis Security guard at the Watergate building Discovered the taped doors that led to an investigation regarding a break-in at the Watergate building
Liddy Gordon & E. Howard Hunt Arrested for the break-in at the Watergate building Later connected to the Nixon campaign
Bob Woodard & Carl Bernstein Reporters that continued the journalism investigation about the break-in at Watergate
Nixon’s Reelection Most of the American public had not heard about the Watergate scandal at the time of the election Nixon won by a landslide
Senate Hearings In May 1973, the U.S. Senate decides to hold hearings about the Watergate investigation Richard Nixon demands that an outside source be hired to conduct the investigation – Archibald Cox is hired
John Dean Testimony reveals a cover-up scheme taking place in the Nixon administration No evidence
Discovery of Record Discovery that there has been recording taking place in the White House Nixon claims he should not have to release the material due to presidential privilege
Archibald Cox Outside prosecutor running Watergate investigation Demands the tapes be released
Saturday Night Massacre Nixon wants to get Cox fired Attorney General Elliot Richardson refuses to fire Cox, resigns Deputy Attorney General William Ruckelhaus refuses as well, resigns Cox is eventually fired This event draws public attention and sparks outrage
Impeachment Process House of Representatives begins discussing impeachment
Edited Tapes April 1974, Nixon releases edited transcripts of the tapes – Heavily edited
Supreme Court Order In July 1974, the Supreme Court rules that Nixon has to release the full tapes July 30, 1974, Nixon releases the tapes Tapes include conversations about the scandal itself
Nixon Advised to Resign Nixon catches wind that the House of Representatives and Congress are not in his favor in terms of impeachment proceedings
Nixon Resigns August 9, 1974 Nixon resigns as President of the United States
Presidential Pardon Gerald Ford gives Nixon a full pardon on September 8, 1974.