00:00Well, it's one of the most iconic photos, news pictures of the 1970s, a smiling Richard Nixon about to leave the White House for good after resigning from the presidency of the United States.
00:11It happened on this day in 1974, and it's the focus of tonight's backstory.
00:17The series of events that led to President Richard Nixon's resignation began here in 1972, when five men were arrested for breaking into Democratic headquarters at Washington, D.C.'s Watergate Hotel.
00:35The men stole documents and wiretapped the Democrats' phones in an effort to help Republican Nixon's re-election campaign.
00:42The Nixon White House denied any involvement, but it eventually came to light that the former president had worked hard to cover up his role in the break-in.
00:52As more details about the cover-up became known, Congress moved closer to impeaching him.
00:57As the president arrived at his office today, he began implementing the steps which will lead to his departure.
01:03Nixon made the decision to resign the presidency.
01:07I have never been a quitter.
01:12To leave office before my term is completed is abhorrent to every instinct in my body.
01:19But as president, I must put the interests of America first.
01:25Therefore, I shall resign the presidency effective at noon tomorrow.
01:3147 years ago this week, the former president said his goodbyes to his staff, then boarded a helicopter to take him to Andrews Air Force Base for his last ride on Air Force One.
01:43Nixon was flown to California, where he lived until 1994, when he died at the age of 81.
01:50He never confessed to his involvement, but admitted that he had made some bad judgment calls.
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