On This Day

"I am not a crook."

37th president of the United States, Richard Nixon denied any involvement in the Watergate scandal with that now famous quote.

On August 8, 1974, President Richard M. Nixon announced his resignation, becoming the first president in American history to resign.

With impeachment proceedings underway against him for his involvement in the Watergate affair, Nixon was bowing to pressure from the public and Congress to leave the White House.

Vice President Gerald R. Ford was sworn in as the 38th president and later pardoned Nixon for any crimes he may have committed while in office.