Watergate Collection

On June 17, 1972, five men were arrested after breaking into the National Democratic Party Headquarters located in the Watergate complex in Washington DC.  Later it was found that the men were associated with the committee to re-elect Richard Nixon. It was eventually discovered that Nixon was aware of the break in and aided in the resulting cover-up. A special investigation was ordered. In all, twenty men, including some of Nixon's top aides, were convicted of obstruction of justice because of the roles they played in the cover-up. During investigative hearings, a Nixon aide referenced a taping device that recorded conversations taking place in the oval office—it was apparent that these tapes could show Nixon's involvement. The Nixon tapes were ultimately obtained through much controversy and a Supreme Court ruling. The tapes ultimately provided the prosecution with the "smoking gun" for showing Nixon’s knowledge of the events.  Impeachment proceedings were recommended by a congressional committee on the 27 of July, 1974. Before impeachment, Nixon resigned--becoming the only President to do so—on the ninth of August, 1974.