Watergate

Electronic Surveillance Equiptment Installed

May 28, 1972

A proposal is made by G. Gordon Liddy to plant electronic surveillance devices in the Democratic National Committee headquarters in the Watergate building. President Nixon approves of this because of the many burglaries in the building.

Five Men Arrested

Jun 17, 1972

Five men are arrested while attempting to repair the surveillance cameras. This was the second burglary that had happened in the building.

Watergate Building Investigation

Aug 30, 1972

John Dean completes an investigation in the Watergate buggings. He concludes that no one from the White House is involved.

Seven Men Arrested for Break-ins

Sep 15, 1972

Seven men are indicted for their roles in the June break-in. The names of these men are Bernard Barker, Virgilio Gonzalez, E. Howard Hunt, G. Gordon Liddy, Eugenio Martinez, James W. McCord, Jr., and Frank Sturgis.

Senate Creates Committee

Feb 7, 1973

U.S. Senate creates Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities. The committee had the power to investigate the break-in and any subsequent cover-up of criminal activity.

No Knowledge of Watergate Affair

Apr 23, 1973

White House issues statement denying that the President had prior knowledge of Watergate affair.

White House Members Resign

Apr 30, 1973

Three members of the White House resigned from office. H.R. Haldeman, John D. Ehrlichman, and John Dean resign.

No Access to Presidential Files

Jul 7, 1973

President Nixon informs Senate Committee that he will not appear to testify. He also will not grant access to Presidential files.

White House Taping

Jul 16, 1973

Alexander Butterfield informs Senate Committee of the presence of a White House taping system. There were nine tapes and they were made public.

Nixon Refuses

Jul 25, 1973

Nixon refuses to comply with a subpoena for White House tapes and documents to investigate cover-up. He says the tapes are not essential to the investigation.

Nixon Hands Over Tapes

Oct 23, 1973

President Nixon has much pressure from the media and citizenry on him. He agrees to hand over tapes to comply with subpoena.

Gap on Tape

Nov 21, 1973

The Senate Committee announces the discovery of 18 ½ minute gap on tape of Nixon-Haldeman conversation of June 20, 1972. Nixon's lawyer Fred Buzhardt says he has no explanation for “the phenomenon.” Electronics experts will eventually find that the tape has been deliberately erased at least five separate times.

64 White House Tapes

Apr 16, 1974

Special Prosecutor Leon Jaworski issues subpoena for 64 White House tapes. The case will be decided in the Supreme Court.

Article 1 of Impeachment

Jul 27, 1974

House Judiciary Committee adopts article I of impeachment resolution against the President. House member Barbara Jordan says that what Nixon has done makes him impeachable.

Article 2 of Impeachment

Jul 29, 1974

House Judiciary Committee adopts article II of impeachment resolution against the President.

Article 3 of Impeachment

Jul 30, 1974

House Judiciary Committee adopts article III of impeachment resolution against the President.

Nixon Resigns

Aug 9, 1974

On August 9, 1974 President Nixon resigns from office. He bowed to pressures from the public and leaders of his party to become the first President in American history to resign.

President Gerald Ford

Sep 8, 1974

President Gerald Ford pardons former President Nixon. Ford agrees not to seek a decision on Nixon’s presidential files as a condition for a pardon.