(Friday, February 21, 1975, 9:29 a.m. EST; during the Watergate scandal) — John N. Mitchell, H.R. Haldeman and John D. Ehrlichman, three of the most powerful men in the nation during the Nixon Administration, were sentenced today to serve two and a half to eight years in prison for their roles in the Watergate cover-up.
(Wednesday, January 8, 1975; during the Watergate scandal) — Judge John J. Sirica ordered three major Watergate figures freed today, and reduced the sentences of the three — John W. Dean 3d, Herbert W. Kalmbach and Jeb Stuart Magrude — to the time they had already served.
(Wednesday, January 1, 1975, 4:25 p.m. EST; during the Watergate scandal) — Four men who under U.S. President Richard Nixon were among the most powerful officials in the nation—John N. Mitchell, H.R. Haldeman, John D. Ehrlichman and Robert C. Mardian—were convicted today by a jury in Washington on all counts in the Watergate cover-up trial.
A fifth defendant, Kenneth Parkinson, was acquitted, and Mardian’s conviction for conspiracy was later overturned on appeal.
Video: 'Gerald Ford-Remarks on Clemency for Vietnam Era Draft Evaders (September 16,1974)'
(Sunday, September 8, 1974, morning EDT; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War; also during the Watergate scandal) — Eight days after granting former President Richard M. Nixon an unconditional pardon, U.S. President Gerald Ford offered conditional amnesty today to thousands of Vietnam era draft evaders and military deserters who agree to work for up to two years in public service jobs (click here for an extended video clip and transcript of Ford’s remarks). Continue reading President Ford offers conditional amnesty to Vietnam era draft evaders, military deserters 40 years ago this morning (Sep 16 1974)
(Tuesday, August 20, 1974, morning EDT; during the Watergate scandal) — Former New York Gov. Nelson Rockefeller, 66, was nominated by U.S. President Gerald Ford today to be the next Vice President of the United States, a vacancy created by Ford’s ascension to the presidency upon the Aug. 9, 1974, resignation of President Richard Nixon.
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.
Video: 'Swearing in Ceremony of Gerald R. Ford as 38th President of the United States, August 9. 1974'
(Friday, August 9, 1974, 12:03 a.m. EDT; during the Watergate scandal) — Gerald Ford became the 38th President of the United States today, declaring that “our long national nightmare is over.” Continue reading Ford sworn in as 38th U.S. President, asserts ‘nightmare is over’ 40 years ago this hour (Aug 9 1974)
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)
Video: 'President Nixon's Farewell to the White House Staff'
(Friday, August 9, 1974, 9:30 a.m. EDT; during the Watergate scandal) — U.S. President Richard Nixon bade an emotional farewell to the remnants of his broken administration today in the East Room of the White House, urging its members to proud of their record in government and warning them against bitterness, self-pity and revenge (click here for clips of Aug. 9, 1974, from ‘The Presidents: Nixon’ at 0:55/6:03/9:23/2:42:17). . Continue reading President Nixon bids emotional farewell to Washington 40 years ago this hour (Aug 9 1974)
Video: 'Nixon before resignation and full speech'
(Thursday, August 8, 1974, 9:01 p.m. EDT; during the Watergate scandal) — Richard Milhous Nixon, the 37th President of the United States, announced tonight in a conciliatory address on national television that he had given up his long and arduous fight to remain in office and would resign, effective at noon tomorrow (click here for a clip of Aug. 8, 1974, from ‘The Presidents: Nixon’ at 2:41:20). . Continue reading Nixon announces he’ll become first U.S. president to resign 40 years ago this hour (Aug 8 1974)
