logo
episode-header-image
Aug 2014
8m 56s

The Resignation of President Nixon

Bbc World Service
About this episode

On 8 August 1974 Richard Nixon became the first US president in history to resign from office, following the Watergate scandal. Witness has been speaking to journalist Tom DeFrank, who watched the drama unfold minute by minute.

Photo: Nixon announces his resignation on national television (Getty Images)

Up next
Dec 2014
The Biggest Rock Concert Ever
What does rock megastar Rod Stewart remember most about playing to 4 million people on Copacabana beach on New Year's Eve 1994? Well... it's not nice.Photo: Rod Stewart at the BBC. 
8m 52s
Dec 2014
The Beginning of Reality TV
In December 1999 a young Dutch man, Bart Spring in't Veld, won the first ever Big Brother reality TV show. It was to be the start of a global television phenomenon. But for 22-year-old Bart the victory proved to be a mixed blessing.Photo: Big Brother winner Bart Spring in't Veld, ... Show More
8m 57s
Dec 2014
The Casa Pia Scandal in Portugal
In 2004, some of the most high-profile people in Portugual went on trial on charges of sexuallly abusing boys from a children's home called Casa Pia. Six defendants were eventually found guilty, including a famous televison presenter. Simon Watts talks to Pedro Namora, a lawyer w ... Show More
8m 56s
Recommended Episodes
Aug 2022
The resignation of President Nixon
On 8 August 1974 Richard Nixon became the first US president in history to resign from office, following the Watergate scandal. In 2014, Farhana Haider spoke to journalist Tom DeFrank, who watched the drama unfold minute by minute.(Photo: Nixon announces his resignation on nation ... Show More
8m 56s
Aug 2024
American presidents
Max Pearson presents a collection of the week's Witness History episodes.It's 50 years since Richard Nixon became the first US president in history to resign, following the Watergate scandal.To mark this anniversary, we're featuring first hand accounts from major moments in US pr ... Show More
51 m
Nov 2020
Scandal 1: Watergate
The first and only presidential resignation belongs to Richard Nixon, whose failed attempt at spying on his political opponents led to one of the most elaborate cover-ups in American history. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices 
52m 14s
Nov 2020
Scandal 1: Watergate
The first and only presidential resignation belongs to Richard Nixon, whose failed attempt at spying on his political opponents led to one of the most elaborate cover-ups in American history. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices 
52m 14s
Jan 2024
The Watergate Scandal
<p>Wiretapping, White House tapes and the possibility of impeachment. On June 17, 1972, a break-in at the Watergate Hotel triggered a chain of events ending with the resignation of President Nixon in 1974.</p><br><p>From the burglary to the surprising redactions from the Nixon ta ... Show More
45m 1s
Oct 2020
The Watergate scandal
In 1973, the US Senate began an investigation which would eventually lead to Richard Nixon standing down as President a year later. Senator Howard Baker was on the Watergate committee. In 2013, he spoke to Louise Hidalgo.(Photo: Senator Howard Baker (left), Senator Sam Irvin, Sam ... Show More
11m 1s
Aug 2023
History’s Undelivered Speeches
August 8, 1974. President Richard Nixon sits in the Oval Office, addressing the American people. He tells them: I’m going to resign. The news is shocking, but not unexpected. Today, it might even seem inevitable. But in the days leading up to the big decision, Nixon himself didn’ ... Show More
35m 8s
Mar 2022
The Watergate Scandal
When five men are caught inside a Washington DC office block in June 1972, it’s noted in police records simply as a ‘burglary’. So how does this bungled break-in go on to unravel a web of corruption and conspiracy, shatter America’s trust in its leadership, and topple President R ... Show More
49m 43s