Richard Nixon Announced His Resignation From The Presidency On This Day 39 Years Ago

Richard Nixon Announced His Resignation From The Presidency On This Day 39 Years Ago

On this day in 1974, President Richard Nixon announced he would be the first American president in history to resign.

Nixon, embroiled in the Watergate scandal and facing impeachment, said he hoped his resignation would hasten "the start of the process of healing which is so desperately needed in America." His resignation officially took effect on August 9.

Below, a photo of Nixon at his desk as he announces his resignation on television:

richard nixon resignation
(Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Nixon wasn't the only leader to face trouble on this day in history. After his defeat at Waterloo on this day in 1815, Napoleon was sent into exile.

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