Watergate Scandal

Nixon's Campaign Promise

Nov 5, 1968

Nixon promised the nation during his presidential campain that he would end the United State's involvement in the Vietnam War through the process of Vietmanization

Nixon Becomes President

Jan 21, 1969

Richard Nixon is inaugarated into the White House as the 37th President of the United States.

Sanctuary Bombings

Apr 29, 1970

North Vietnamese sanctuaries were targeted by the United States to stop the flow of supplies to the Viet Cong under Nixon. This was viewd as an escalation instead of a recal, and the public became very upset.

Committee to Re-elect the President

Jun 8, 1971

The committe was created for a similar purpose as the Plumbers, to gather information illegaly and to sabatoge the potential campaigns of other presidential candidates to insure Nixon would be re-elected in the 1972 election.

Nixon's Plumbers

Jun 8, 1971

After the leak of the Pentagon papers, Nixon wanted to discredit the infromation though the use of a newly founded group called the "Plumbers". They broke into Daniel Elsberg's psychiatrist's office to find out information on Elsberg. This only attracted more attention, and Nixon quickly ended the Plumbers to prevent similar situations.

Daniel Elsberg--Pentagon Papers

Jun 13, 1971

Elsberg, a former U.S Marine and military analyst handed over top seceret papers from the Pentagon to the New York Times regarding information about failed policies of the Vietnam War

Watergate Scandal

Jul 17, 1972

Five men were arrested for breaking into the Democraqtic headquarters in the Watergate office building. It was discovered the men worked for Nixon's CREEP organization. Nixon denies being involved.

Investigation

Aug 1, 1972

Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein start their own investigation on the break-in of the Watergate building and discover 'hush money' which was tied to CREEP.

Campaign Sabotage

Oct 10, 1972

FBI agents were discovered covering up the illegal actions of CREEP on behalf of Nixon's Campaign for his re-election.

Nixon Re-elected

Nov 7, 1972

Nixon won the election for President of the United States by a landslide

Senate Investitgation

May 18, 1973

The Senate Watergate Committee begins its nationally televised hearings.

Tapes

Jul 13, 1973

It was revealed by Alexander Butterfield, former presidential appointments secretary, that Nixon illegaly recorded all conversations in the Oval Office. Nixon refuses to hand over tapes for the investigation.

Saturday Night Massacre

Oct 20, 1973

Nixon fires the special proscecutor of the investigation, his Attorney General, and Deputy Attorney General all in one night regarding the secret Oval Office tapes.

Missing Pieces

Dec 7, 1973

Nixon hands over only selected sections of tape, and cannot explain the missing segments

Nixon Must Hand Over Tapes

Jul 24, 1974

Over-ruling the President's "exicutive privilege", the Supreme Court orders Nixon to hand over the tapes.

Impeachment

Jul 27, 1974

House Judiciary Committee passes the first of three articles of impeachment, charging obstruction of justice.

Resignation

Aug 8, 1974

Knowing that he will be impeached and then kicked out of office, Nixon announces his resignation and becomes the first President in United States history to resign. Gerald R. Ford takes the Presidency and pardons Nixon for his actions.