He became the first ever US president to resign his office.

Nixon's demise had been sealed by the Watergate scandal in which he had been seen to have actively participated in a cover up which included the participation of all of the security services at the command of the president. The cover up was to hide the existence of a slush fund which was used to finance attacks on Nixon's political opponents. Impeachment proceedings were underway at the time of his resignation.

On this day he made a speech to the nation from the White House in which he said:

"By taking this action I hope that I will have hastened the start of the process of healing which is so desperately needed in America."

He left office noon the next day.