On June 17, 1972, five burglars were arrested during a break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters in the Watergate office building in Washington, D.C. This event marked the beginning of the infamous Watergate scandal that would ultimately lead to the resignation of President Richard Nixon.
Fifty years ago, five men were arrested after breaking into the Washington headquarters of the Democratic National Committee. The incident seemed like a minor break-in at first, but it would unravel a web of corruption and deceit within the highest levels of government.
When Americans woke up on June 17, 1972, they knew President Richard M. Nixon was cruising to a likely reelection. He had withstood the turmoil of the Vietnam War and was seen as a strong leader. However, the Watergate scandal would soon change everything.
From the hotel break-in, to the investigative journalism of Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, to the Senate Watergate Committee hearings, to Nixon's eventual resignation, the Watergate scandal captivated the nation and shook the foundations of American democracy.
Former ABC News anchor Sam Donaldson reflects on his time reporting on the Watergate scandal, a pivotal moment in American journalism that demonstrated the power of the press to hold those in power accountable.
FORTY YEARS AGO last Sunday, five men broke into the headquarters of the Democratic National Committee at the Watergate complex in what was initially dismissed as a minor burglary. Little did they know, this event would set off a chain of events that would bring down a president.
John Dean, former White House counsel for the Nixon administration, speaks with CNN Opinion about how Watergate shaped his own life, from his role in the cover-up to his decision to testify against Nixon and ultimately cooperate with investigators.
Fifty years ago today, a “third-rate burglary” at the office of the Democratic National Committee in Washington, D.C., began a chain of events that would lead to the downfall of President Richard Nixon. This pivotal moment in American history serves as a reminder of the importance of transparency and accountability in government.
