Watergate Timeline

Installation of surveillence equipment

May 28, 1972

Electronic surveillance equipment installed at Democratic National Committee headquarters in the Watergate building.

Surveilliance equipment repairs

Jun 17, 1972

Five men are arrested while attempting to repair the surveillance equipment at Democratic National Committee headquarters. They possessed burglary tools, cameras, film and pen-size tear gas guns. Three of those arrested were Cuban exiles and one was a Cuban-American.

Investigation of White House workers

Aug 30, 1972

President Nixon announces that John Dean has completed an investigation into the Watergate buggings and that no one from the White House is involved.

Burglars indicted

Sep 15, 1972

Seven men are indicted for their roles in the June break-in. They were found guilty in court, the burglars and their leaders.

Select Commitee

Feb 7, 1973

U.S. Senate creates Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities.

President's Innocence

Apr 23, 1973

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

Staff members resign

Apr 30, 1973

White House staff members H.R. Haldeman, John D. Ehrlichman, and John Dean resign. Nixon asked for their resignations while at Camp David, and issued them publically later on.

No Access to Files

Jul 7, 1973

President Nixon informs Senate Committee that he will not appear to testify nor 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.

Refusing the Public

Jul 25, 1973

President Nixon refuses to comply with a subpoena for White House tapes and documents to investigate cover-up.

Giving In

Oct 23, 1973

President Nixon agrees to hand over tapes to comply with subpoena.

The Missing Tapes

Nov 21, 1973

Senate Committee announces discovery of 18 ½ minute gap on tape of Nixon-Haldeman conversation of June 20, 1972

The Need For the Tapes

Apr 16, 1974

Special Prosecutor issues subpoena for 64 White House tapes.

Beginning Nixon's Impeachment II

Jul 27, 1974

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

Beginning Nixon's Impeachment

Jul 29, 1974

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

Beginning Nixon's Impeachment III

Jul 30, 1974

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

The First Impeached President

Aug 9, 1974

President Richard Nixon resigns. After many accusations, Nixon resigns from his position, becoming the first president to be impeached.

The Vice Steps Up

Sep 8, 1974

President Gerald Ford pardons former President Nixon. He becomes President, ready to clean up after Nixon's mistakes.