In June of 1972 five men were caught breaking into the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate Hotel and Office Building in Washington, D.C.
The goal was to wiretap phones and steal documents and information that could help ensure re-election for Richard Nixon that November.
The president then used government agencies as part of an attempt to cover up his administration’s involvement, as well as obstructing justice.
The News is looking back at notable events from Medicine Hat’s history leading up to the celebration of our 140th publishing year later this fall.
Nixon would win the 1972 presidential election in the biggest landslide ever, carrying 60.7% and carrying 49 of 50 states in the electoral college.
Only Massachusetts and the District of Columbia favoured the Democratic candidate.
Information about the cover-up was leaked to journalist Bob Woodward at the Washington Post, and he and reporter Carl Bernstein broke the story wide open. Subsequent investigations by the FBI and a Senate committee led to the almost certain impeachment of Nixon.
Before the inevitability could transpire though, on Aug. 9, 1974, Richard Nixon became the first and only U.S. president to resign.
Gerald Ford, who had been vice president since Spiro Agnew had resigned in disgrace over bribery, extortion and tax fraud allegations, became president.
Ford remained in office for the rest of term before being defeated by Georgia governor Jimmy Carter.