Historical1974
President Nixon Announces Resignation
President Richard Nixon announced his resignation in a televised address, effective the following day, becoming the first and only U.S. president to resign from office. The resignation came after the House Judiciary Committee approved articles of impeachment related to the Watergate scandal.
Why It Matters
Nixon's resignation demonstrated that the constitutional system of checks and balances can hold even the most powerful officeholder accountable, reinforcing the principle that no one is above the law.