Category Archives: 1970s

Former President Nixon declares ‘we’re home’ upon arrival in California 40 years ago this hour (Aug 9 1974)

1970s, U.S. Presidents, Watergate


Video: '"AIR FORCE ONE: THE PLANES AND THE PRESIDENTS" (1991)' (Nixons arrive in California on Aug. 9, 1974, at 41:23)

(Friday, August 9, 1974, 11:56 a.m. PDT; during the Watergate scandal) — Former U.S. President Richard Nixon declared “we’re home” today as he addressed 5,000 people who came out to greet him and his wife, former First Lady Pat Nixon, upon their arrival at El Toro Marine Base in California.

A helicopter then whisked the Nixons to La Casa Pacifica, their sprawling seaside villa near San Clemente. Nixon’s term of office had officially expired three hours, 21 minutes before, having become the first president to resign in disgrace.

President Nixon gives V sign as he departs White House 40 years ago this hour (Aug 9 1974)

1970s, U.S. Presidents, Watergate


Video: 'Vietnam: A Television History - The End of the Tunnel [11/11]' (Aug. 9, 1974, at 17:33)

(Friday, August 9, 1974, 10:00 a.m. EDT; during the Watergate scandal) — U.S. President Richard Nixon, having been escorted by Vice President Gerald Ford, his wife Betty and Nixon’s wife Pat, mounted the steps of a waiting helicopter this morning on the South Lawn of the White House. Continue reading President Nixon gives V sign as he departs White House 40 years ago this hour (Aug 9 1974) →

CBS reports Nixon will resign tonight, Ford will be sworn-in tomorrow 40 years ago this hour (Aug 8 1974)

1970s, U.S. Presidents, Watergate


Video: 'Walter Cronkite announces President Nixon's resignation1974'

(Thursday, August 8, 1974, 5:30 p.m. EDT; during the Watergate scandal) — “Good evening. President Nixon will reportedly will announce his resignation tonight and Vice President Ford will become the nation’s 38th President tomorrow,” said anchorman Walter Cronkite, opening tonight’s edition of the CBS Evening News.

Pop singer Cass Elliot, 32, dies of a heart attack 40 years ago today (July 29 1974)

1970s, Popular Music 1970s


Video: 'Death by Excess - Mama Cass'

(Monday, July 29, 1974) — Singer Cass Elliot (born Ellen Naomi Cohen), 32, was found dead today in a London apartment where she was staying. It was rumored that the former Mamas and Papas lead singer choked on a ham sandwich, but a coroner ruled she had suffered a heart attack in her sleep overnight. Continue reading Pop singer Cass Elliot, 32, dies of a heart attack 40 years ago today (July 29 1974) →

Bipartisan majority vote for Nixon impeachment indicated during debate 40 years ago today (July 25 1974)

1970s, U.S. Presidents, Watergate


Video: 'B Jordan impeachment speech' (July 25, 1974)

(Thursday, July 25, 1974; during the Watergate scandal) — A large, bipartisan majority of the House Judiciary Committee signaled its readiness today to adopt a resolution formally proposing the impeachment of President Richard Nixon.

House committee begins debate on Nixon impeachment 40 years ago this hour (July 24 1974)

1970s, U.S. Presidents, Watergate


Video: 'Impeachment Hearings July 1974' (opening remarks by committee chairman Rep. Peter Rodino)

(Wednesday, July 24, 1974, 7:00 p.m. EDT; during the Watergate scandal) — The House Judiciary Committee began historic final deliberations tonight on the possible impeachment of President Richard Nixon without waiting to determine whether new evidence might emerge as a result of a Supreme Court judgment earlier today. Continue reading House committee begins debate on Nixon impeachment 40 years ago this hour (July 24 1974) →

Greek military bids civilians take over; Karamanlis returns, sworn in as premier 40 years ago today (Jul 23 1974)

1970s

(Tuesday, July 23, 1974) — The military rulers of Greece announced today that they had decided to turn the nation back to civilian political leaders. Konstantinos Karamanlis, the former conservative Premiere who governed from 1955 to 1963 before his self-imposed exile in Paris, returned to Athens and was sworn in as head of a new government of national unity.

Ehrlichman, three others found guilty in Ellsberg break-in case 40 years ago today (July 12 1974)

1970s, U.S. Presidents, Watergate


Video: 'Ehrlichman Convicted - CBS Radio - Leslie Stahl - July 12, 1974'

(Friday, July 12, 1974; during the Watergate scandal) — John Ehrlichman, former top aide to U.S. President Richard Nixon, and three others were convicted today of conspiring to violate the civil rights of Daniel Ellsberg’s former psychiatrist.

Nixon, Brezhnev sign treaty limiting size of underground nuclear weapons tests 40 years ago today (July 3 1974)

1970s, Cold War, U.S. Presidents


Image: U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger (L) joins President Richard Nixon and Russian leaders in a toast after the signing of agreements at the Kremlin on July 3, 1974 following a seven-day summit.

(Wednesday, July 3, 1974; during the Cold War) — U.S. President Richard Nixon and Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev signed a treaty today in Moscow limiting the size of underground nuclear weapons tests. Nixon then flew back to the U.S., landing at a small air force base in Maine and gave the nation a report on his foreign travels (click here for video at 2:35:53).