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The watergate break in
A group within the committee to re-elect the president made plans to wiretap the phones at the democratic national committee headquarters. This was at the watergate apartment complex in Washington DC. The group was led by E. Howard Hunt . -
The watergate cover up
Nixon wasn’t involved with the break in but got involved with the cover up as he had the cia convince the fbi to stop its investigation. Eventually Nixon won the election by a landslide. -
Second break in attempt
After the first attempt that failed, during their second attempt five men were arrested. The money they were carrying was traced back to Nixon’s re-election campaign. This linked the break in to the Campaign. -
The watergate trial
At the trial, all of the defendants were pleaded guilty or found guilty. They were sentenced to long prison terms but it could be reduced if they cooperate -
Special prosecutor
Nixon agreed to the appointment of a special prosecutor for the watergate affair. The special prosecutor works for the justice department and conducts an investigation into claims of wrongdoing. -
Releasing the White House tapes
Nixon released the tapes on this day. With a gap in the tape it shows his involvement with the watergate cover up and on August 9th Gerald Ford was sworn in as the new president. -
Saturday night massacre
The special prosecutor, Archibald Cox, insisted that Nixon would release all of the Whites house tapes and in result Nixon ordered him fired on Saturday. This was the beginning series of resignations and firings that became known as the Saturday night massacre.