Watergate scandal
The Watergate scandal was a serious scandal during and after the 1972 presidential election.
A United States President, Richard Nixon was running for election against Democrat George McGovern. Afterwards, Frank Wills, a security guard, discovered clues that former FBI and CIA agents broke into the offices of the Democratic Party and George McGovern months before the election. They secretly listened to phone lines and stole several important documents.
When these men were found, they were discovered to have been associated with Nixon. He had helped them cover all the evidence of the scandal, and may have even hired the men to begin with. The Washington Post was a newspaper which played a big role in exposing the misdoings, specifically aided by reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein. This showed the public that Nixon was not as trustworthy as he seemed.
Nixon chose to resign from office on August 9, 1974 because he wished not to be impeached. This means that he might have been charged with crimes. The U.S. Congress could not impeach him if he resigned. After this, Gerald Ford became his vice-president because Spiro T. Agnew (Nixon's first vice-president) had to resign as well after unrelated charges of accepting bribes and avoiding taxes. Ford then became the President by default of Nixon using his power under the 25th Amendment to the U.S Constitution. Ford pardoned Nixon for all of his crimes later on. The name "Watergate" comes from the hotel in Washington, D.C. where the first crime and break in took place, and is often associated with political scandals.
Other resources
Watergate Scandal Media
During the break-in, E. Howard Hunt and G. Gordon Liddy remained in contact with each other and with the burglars by radio; these Chapstick tubes outfitted with tiny microphones were later discovered in Hunt's White House office safe.
A transistor radio used in the Watergate break-in
A walkie-talkie used in Watergate break-in
The DNC filing cabinet in the Watergate office building damaged by the burglars
Demonstrators in Washington, DC, with sign "Impeach Nixon."
Address book of Watergate burglar Bernard Barker, discovered in a room at the Watergate Hotel, June 18, 1972
Garage in Rosslyn where Woodward and Felt met. Also visible is the historical marker erected by the county to note its significance.
Minority counsel Fred Thompson, ranking member Howard Baker, and chair Sam Ervin of the Senate Watergate Committee in 1973
President Nixon explaining release of edited transcripts, April 29, 1974
"Smoking Gun" tape of Nixon and H.R. Haldeman's conversation in Oval Office on June 23, 1972
