Richard Nixon, the 37th President of the United States, passed away on April 22, 1994, at the age of 81. Born on January 9, 1913, in Yorba Linda, California, Nixon’s political career spanned several decades and was marked by significant accomplishments as well as controversy for his abuses of power.
Nixon began his political career in 1946 when he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from California. He gained national prominence for his role in the Alger Hiss case, which led to his election to the U.S. Senate in 1950. Two years later, Nixon was chosen by Dwight D. Eisenhower as his running mate in the 1952 presidential election. They won the election and Nixon served as Vice President for eight years.
In 1960, Nixon ran for president but lost in a close election to John F. Kennedy. He then ran for governor of California in 1962, but lost again. Despite these setbacks, Nixon made a political comeback in 1968, winning the presidential election against Hubert Humphrey and becoming the 37th President of the United States.
Nixon’s presidency was marked by notable achievements in foreign policy, including the establishment of diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China and détente with the Soviet Union. However, his administration was also plagued by controversy, particularly the Congressionally unapproved bombing of Cambodia, as well as the Watergate scandal. That scandal, which involved using thugs to burglarize and steal secrets from his political opponents, as well as his attempts to cover up their actions, led to his resignation on August 9, 1974. He was the first president in U.S. history to resign from office.
Despite the controversy surrounding his presidency, he remained an influential figure in American politics until his death in 1994. Nixon’s passing was marked by a state funeral attended by all living presidents, highlighting his complex legacy in American history.
References:
https://www.whitehouse.gov/about-the-white-house/presidents/richard-m-nixon/
https://www.politico.com/story/2019/04/22/this-day-in-politics-april-22-1994-1283772
