What is the story behind Watergate?

The Watergate controversy began early on June 17, 1972, when six burglars were apprehended in the Democratic National Committee’s office, which was located in the Watergate complex of buildings in Washington, D.C.

The robbers were linked to President Richard Nixon’s reelection campaign, and they had been caught wiretapping phones and stealing documents.

Nixon took aggressive measures to cover the crimes. The Watergate incident profoundly altered American politics, prompting many citizens to question their leaders and reconsider the president.

Nixon delivered a speech in August in which he claimed that his White House staff was not involved in the break-in. Most voters believed him, and the president was re-elected in a landslide victory in November 1972. It was later shown that Nixon was not telling the truth.

A few Nixon aides, including White House attorney John Dean, testified before a grand jury regarding the president’s misdeeds; they also testified that Nixon covertly filmed every conversation in the Oval Office.

Finally, on August 5, Nixon released the tapes, which proved his involvement in the Watergate scandal. Nixon resigned in disgrace on August 8, facing almost likely impeachment by Congress, and left office the next day.