Richard Nixon Timeline

(January 9, 1913 – April 22, 1994 (presidency: January 20, 1969 – August 9, 1974))

Richard Milhous Nixon (1913-1994) was the 37th President of the United States, serving from 1969 to 1974. A Republican, he previously served as Vice President under Dwight Eisenhower and as a U.S. Senator and Representative from California. His presidency was marked by major foreign policy achievements, including opening diplomatic relations with China and détente with the Soviet Union, as well as the end of U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War. Domestically, he created the EPA and pursued environmental and economic reforms. However, his presidency was ultimately defined by the Watergate scandal, which led to his resignation in August 1974, making him the only U.S. president to resign from office. He was later pardoned by his successor, Gerald Ford. More Less

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Early Life and Career

Richard Nixon is born in Yorba Linda, California

Jan 9, 1913

Richard Milhous Nixon was born in Yorba Linda, California, the second of five sons of Francis and Hannah Nixon. The family later moved to Whittier, where they ran a grocery store and gas station, instilling in Nixon a work ethic that shaped his political career.

Image source: Richard Nixon

Graduates from Duke University School of Law

Jun 1937

Nixon graduated third in his class from Duke University School of Law, where he earned a scholarship and developed a reputation for discipline and ambition. He then returned to California to practice law in Whittier.

Image source: Duke University School of Law

Marries Patricia Ryan

Jun 21, 1940

Nixon married Thelma 'Pat' Ryan, whom he had met while auditioning actors for a community theater production. Their marriage spanned over fifty years until her death in 1993.

Image source: Pat Nixon

Serves in the US Navy during World War II

Aug 1942 - Oct 1, 1945

Nixon joined the Navy after Pearl Harbor, serving as an operations officer in the South Pacific. He earned commendations including the Legion of Merit and rose to the rank of lieutenant commander before leaving active duty.

Image source: Richard Nixon

Elected to the House of Representatives

Nov 5, 1946

Nixon won election to the US House of Representatives from California's 12th district, defeating incumbent Democrat Jerry Voorhis in a campaign marked by aggressive anti-communist rhetoric.

Image source: California's congressional delegations

Gains fame on the HUAC Alger Hiss case

Aug 1948

As a member of the House Un-American Activities Committee, Nixon played a leading role in investigating Alger Hiss, accused of spying for the Soviets. Hiss's perjury conviction propelled Nixon onto the national stage.

Image source: Alger Hiss

Elected to the United States Senate

Nov 7, 1950 - Jan 1, 1953

Nixon defeated Congresswoman Helen Gahagan Douglas in a bitterly fought Senate race, during which he was nicknamed 'Tricky Dick' by opponents over campaign tactics questioning Douglas's loyalty.

Image source: 1950 United States Senate election in California

Delivers the 'Checkers' speech

Sep 23, 1952

Accused of financial improprieties while running for vice president, Nixon delivered a televised address defending himself, famously refusing to return the family dog Checkers. The speech saved his place on Dwight Eisenhower's ticket.

Image source: Checkers speech

Loses presidential race to John F. Kennedy

Nov 8, 1960

Nixon narrowly lost one of the closest elections in US history to Senator John F. Kennedy, a defeat influenced by the first televised presidential debates. He returned to California and practiced law.

Image source: 1960 United States presidential election

Loses presidential race to John F. Kennedy

Loses California gubernatorial race; delivers 'last press conference'

Nov 7, 1962

After losing the race for governor of California to Pat Brown, Nixon told reporters they would no longer have 'Dick Nixon to kick around,' appearing to signal his retirement from politics.

Image source: 1962 California gubernatorial election

Vice Presidency

Begins service as Vice President under Eisenhower

Jan 20, 1953

At age 40, Nixon became one of the youngest vice presidents in American history, serving two terms under President Dwight D. Eisenhower and expanding the visibility of the office.

'Kitchen Debate' with Khrushchev in Moscow

Jul 24, 1959

During the opening of the American National Exhibition in Moscow, Nixon engaged Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev in a famous impromptu debate about capitalism versus communism, enhancing his stature at home.

Image source: Kitchen Debate

Presidency

Wins the 1968 presidential election

Nov 5, 1968

Nixon staged a remarkable political comeback, defeating Hubert Humphrey and George Wallace amid the turbulence of the Vietnam War, assassinations, and civil unrest, promising to bring Americans together.

Image source: 1968 United States presidential election

Inaugurated as 37th President of the United States

Jan 20, 1969

Richard Nixon was sworn in as the 37th president, pledging to lower tensions domestically and internationally and to achieve 'peace with honor' in Vietnam.

Image source: First inauguration of Richard Nixon

Astronauts of Apollo 11 complete first Moon landing

Jul 20, 1969

During Nixon's first year in office, Apollo 11 astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin walked on the Moon, and Nixon spoke with them via phone in a historic transmission from the Oval Office.

Image source: Apollo 11

Announces Nixon Doctrine and orders secret bombing of Cambodia

Jul 25, 1969

The Nixon Doctrine pledged allied nations greater responsibility for their own defense, while secretly the administration began bombing Cambodian sanctuaries used by Vietnamese communists, escalating the war covertly.

Image source: Operation Menu

Announces Nixon Doctrine and orders secret bombing of Cambodia

Creates the Environmental Protection Agency

Dec 2, 1970

Nixon established the EPA by executive order, consolidating federal environmental programs. His administration also signed the Clean Air Act of 1970 into law, marking major environmental milestones.

Image source: United States Environmental Protection Agency

Announces wage and price controls to curb inflation

Aug 15, 1971

In a televised address, Nixon imposed a 90-day freeze on wages and prices and ended the dollar's convertibility into gold, moves collectively known as the 'Nixon shock' that reshaped the global monetary system.

Image source: Nixon shock

Visits China in groundbreaking diplomacy

Feb 21, 1972 - Feb 28, 1972

Nixon made a historic week-long visit to the People's Republic of China, meeting Chairman Mao Zedong and Premier Zhou Enlai, opening diplomatic relations between the two nations after decades of estrangement.

Image source: 1972 visit by Richard Nixon to China

Signs the Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty (SALT I)

May 26, 1972

Nixon and Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev signed SALT I and the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty in Moscow, marking the height of détente and easing Cold War nuclear tensions.

Image source: Strategic Arms Limitation Talks

Wins landslide re-election over George McGovern

Nov 7, 1972

Nixon was re-elected in one of the largest landslides in American history, carrying 49 states, even as the Watergate investigation continued in the background.

Image source: 1972 United States presidential election

Wins landslide re-election over George McGovern

Paris Peace Accords end direct US involvement in Vietnam War

Jan 27, 1973

The Paris Peace Accords were signed, formally ending direct American military involvement in Vietnam and fulfilling Nixon's promise to withdraw US forces while preserving a ceasefire.

Image source: Paris Peace Accords

Watergate and Resignation

Watergate break-in at Democratic National Committee headquarters

Jun 17, 1972

Five men were arrested for burglarizing the Democratic National Committee offices in the Watergate complex in Washington, DC. The crime and its cover-up would ultimately consume Nixon's presidency.

Image source: Watergate scandal

Watergate break-in at Democratic National Committee headquarters

Senate begins nationally televised Watergate hearings

May 17, 1973

The televised Senate Watergate hearings revealed testimony about the break-in and cover-up, captivating the nation and eroding public confidence in the president.

Image source: United States Senate Watergate Committee

'Saturday Night Massacre' firings during Watergate probe

Oct 20, 1973

Nixon ordered the firing of special prosecutor Archibald Cox, prompting Attorney General Elliot Richardson and Deputy Attorney General William Ruckelshaus to resign rather than comply, sparking outrage and calls for impeachment.

Supreme Court rules in United States v. Nixon on tapes

Jul 24, 1974

The Supreme Court unanimously ruled that Nixon must release the White House tapes, establishing that executive privilege does not shield evidence needed in criminal proceedings.

House Judiciary Committee approves articles of impeachment

Jul 27, 1974 - Jul 30, 1974

The House Judiciary Committee voted to approve three articles of impeachment against Nixon—obstruction of justice, abuse of power, and contempt of Congress—setting up a likely full House impeachment vote.

Image source: Impeachment process against Richard Nixon

Nixon resigns the presidency

Aug 9, 1974

Facing certain impeachment and conviction after release of the 'smoking gun' tape, Nixon announced his resignation on television on August 8 and left office the next day, the only president ever to resign. Gerald Ford succeeded him.

Image source: Presidency of Richard Nixon

Post-Presidency

Pardoned by President Gerald Ford

Sep 8, 1974

President Ford granted Nixon a full and unconditional pardon for any crimes committed while in office, a controversial decision many historians believe contributed to Ford's 1976 election loss.

Image source: Pardon of Richard Nixon

Publishes memoir 'RN: The Memoirs of Richard Nixon'

May 1978

Nixon published a bestselling memoir offering his account of his life, career, presidency, and resignation, beginning his gradual rehabilitation in the public eye through writing and foreign policy commentary.

Conducts diplomatic mission to China after Tiananmen Square

Oct 28, 1989 - Nov 3, 1989

Former president Nixon visited China months after the Tiananmen Square crackdown, meeting Chinese leaders to help stabilize relations between Washington and Beijing despite international condemnation of the repression.

Image source: 1989 Tiananmen Square protests and massacre

Richard Nixon dies at age 81

Apr 22, 1994

Nixon died four days after suffering a stroke in New York City. His state funeral in Yorba Linda drew all five living presidents, closing out the life of one of America's most consequential and controversial leaders.

Image source: Death and state funeral of Richard Nixon

Key Facts

Richard Nixon was the 37th President of the United States, serving from January 20, 1969, until his resignation on August 9, 1974.
He is the only U.S. president to resign from office, doing so as a result of the Watergate scandal and the near-certainty of impeachment.
Nixon opened diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China in 1972, ending over two decades of isolation between the two nations.
His administration achieved détente with the Soviet Union, including the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT I) and the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty of 1972.
Nixon ended American involvement in the Vietnam War in 1973, and in 1970 he established the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) by executive order.

Source

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