This Day In History - 8-8-2020

[HARDCORE]

THIS DAY IN HISTORY
August 8

1974
Nixon resigns

In an evening televised address on this day in 1974, President Richard M. Nixon announces his intention to become the first president in American history to resign. With impeachment proceedings underway against him for his involvement in the Watergate affair, Nixon was finally bowing to pressure fro... read more

Watergate

On the night of June 17, 1972, a security guard in the Watergate office complex in Washington, DC called the police when he found a door repeatedly taped open. The police discovered five men dressed in business suits who were in the process of installing bugs and photographing documents in the headquarters of the Democratic National Committee. Thus began the most explosive scandal in American history—a scandal that brought down the Presidency of Richard M. Nixon and sent over 40 people to jail.

19th Century

1879
Emiliano Zapata born
Art, Literature, and Film History
1986
Spike Lee's first feature, "She's Gotta Have It," premieres
1988
Gangsta rap hits the mainstream with the release of N.W.A's "Straight Outta Compton"
Civil War
1863
Robert E. Lee offers resignation as commander of the Confederate army
Religion
1844
Brigham Young chosen to lead Mormon Church
Sports
1988
Lights go on at Wrigley
U.S. Government
1945
President Truman signs United Nations Charter
2009
Sonia Sotomayor is sworn in as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court
World War I
1918
Battle of Amiens
World War II
1942
German saboteurs executed in Washington, D.C.
1945
Soviets declare war on Japan; invade Manchuria