Watergate scandal

Watergate scandal

     In the 1970's a political scandal known as the Watergate scandal occurred in the United States. When there was a "break in" at the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate office complex, Nixon's administration tried to cover up its involvement.
    On June 17, 1972 five men were arrested for breaking and entering into the Watergate complex. The FBI found money in possession of the intruders, and the FBI traced the cash to a fund which the re-election committee had used to fund Nixon's campaign.  One year later the public learned that President Nixon had recorded many conversations in his offices.  These recordings proved that he attempted to cover up the illegal things he was doing before and during his presidency.   The Supreme Court then ruled that Nixon had to give the tapes to investigators.  He agreed.  Nixon knew that he was certainly going to be impeached and possibly convicted
    As a result of the scandal, Richard Nixon resigned, on August 9, 1974.  He was the only president to ever resign. The scandal also resulted in the incarceration of 43 people.  Among them were dozens of Nixon's top officials.  Gerald Ford then took over the presidency and gave Nixon a pardon.