Richard Milhous Nixon was the 37th president of the United States, serving from January 20, 1969, to August 9, 1974. A Republican, he is known for major foreign-policy initiatives and for resigning amid the Watergate scandal.
Nixon presided over a period of significant foreign-policy realignment, opening diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China and pursuing détente with the Soviet Union, including the SALT I agreement. Domestically his administration created the Environmental Protection Agency and advanced major environmental and economic measures.
His second term was dominated by the Watergate scandal; revelations of abuses of power led to investigations, impeachment proceedings in the House, and his resignation in 1974. Nixon’s legacy remains mixed—praised for diplomatic and policy achievements and criticized for the constitutional crisis and erosion of public trust.
Opened diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China; Pursued détente with the Soviet Union and signed SALT I; Created the Environmental Protection Agency and advanced environmental laws; Implemented Vietnamization and negotiated the Paris Peace Accords leading to U.S. troop withdrawal; Resigned in 1974 amid the Watergate scandal
Key highlights and dated events associated with this presidency.
Showing 12 of 64 entries.
On October 25, 1973, in response to the intensifying Yom Kippur War and perceived Soviet involvement, U.S. forces were ordered to DEFCON 3, the highest peacetime alert level.
After the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 338 calling for a ceasefire, Secretary of State Henry Kissinger launched intensive shuttle diplomacy between Washington, Jerusalem, Cairo and other regional capitals to negotiate ceasefire implementation and disengagement arrangements.
On October 22, 1973, the U.N. Security Council adopted Resolution 338, calling for an immediate ceasefire in the Yom Kippur War and negotiations aimed at a lasting peace, a measure supported by the United States.
After Attorney General Elliot Richardson and Deputy Attorney General William Ruckelshaus resigned during the Saturday Night Massacre, President Nixon appointed Solicitor General Robert Bork as Acting Attorney General late on October 20, 1973.
Deputy Attorney General William D. Ruckelshaus resigned after refusing Nixon's directive to remove Archibald Cox, joining Attorney General Richardson in protest.
Elliot L. Richardson resigned as U.S. Attorney General after refusing President Nixon's order to dismiss special prosecutor Archibald Cox.
President Nixon ordered the firing of special prosecutor Archibald Cox, leading to the resignations of Attorney General Elliot Richardson and Deputy Attorney General William Ruckelshaus and the eventual dismissal of Cox by Solicitor General Robert Bork.
On October 17, 1973, the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC) announced an oil embargo against nations perceived as supporting Israel in the Yom Kippur War, including the United States.
The Nixon administration launched an emergency U.S. airlift (Operation Nickel Grass) to resupply Israel with weapons and military equipment during the Yom Kippur War.
President Nixon nominated House Minority Leader Gerald R. Ford to be vice president under the procedures of the 25th Amendment.
Vice President Spiro T. Agnew resigned the vice presidency after pleading no contest to a felony charge of tax evasion and accepting a criminal plea agreement.
On October 6, 1973, Egyptian and Syrian forces launched a surprise, coordinated attack on Israeli positions across the Suez Canal and Golan Heights, marking the start of the Yom Kippur War.