Richard M. Nixon
Thirty-Seventh
President,
1969–1974
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“I let the American people down. And I have to carry that burden the rest of my life.”
Leaving Office:
During Richard Nixon’s presidency, astronauts first walked on the moon. Nixon proved himself a strong foreign policy leader, ending American fighting in Vietnam and improving relations with both the Soviet Union and China. However, during his presidential campaign, his reelection committee took part in illegal activities, including the wiretapping of Democratic offices. These activities marked the beginning of the Watergate scandals, which eventually led to Nixon’s resignation in 1974.
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Portrait by
Norman Rockwell
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1968
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NPG.72.2
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Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery
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Fast Facts
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Party: |
Republican
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Date of Birth: |
Sunday, January 19, 1913
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Date of Death: |
Friday, April 22, 1994
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Vice President: |
Spiro Agnew, Gerald R. Ford
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First Lady: |
Thelma Catherine Ryan Nixon
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