Births on January 9

Richard Nixon, American commander, lawyer, and politician, 37th President of the United States (d. 1994)

Richard Milhous Nixon, born on January 9, 1913, and passing away on April 22, 1994, served as the 37th President of the United States from 1969 to 1974. A prominent member of the Republican Party, his extensive political career included terms as a representative and senator from California before he became the 36th Vice President, serving for eight years from 1953 to 1961 under President Dwight D. Eisenhower. His five years in the Oval Office were a period of profound transformation for the United States, marked by the formal conclusion of U.S. involvement in the protracted Vietnam War, a groundbreaking shift towards diplomatic détente with both the Soviet Union and the People's Republic of China, and the monumental achievement of the first manned Moon landings. Domestically, his administration oversaw the establishment of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), reflecting a growing national commitment to environmental stewardship. Despite these significant accomplishments, Nixon's second term concluded prematurely when he became the only U.S. president in history to resign from office, a decision precipitated by the escalating Watergate scandal.

Early Life and Ascent to National Prominence

Born into a humble family of Quakers in Yorba Linda, a small town in Southern California, Nixon's early life instilled in him a strong work ethic. He pursued higher education, graduating from Duke Law School in 1937, after which he practiced law in California. In 1942, he moved to Washington D.C. with his wife, Pat Nixon, to take on a role within the federal government. Following a period of active duty in the Naval Reserve during World War II, Nixon successfully entered politics, being elected to the House of Representatives in 1946. His incisive work on the Alger Hiss case, a high-profile espionage investigation during the Cold War era, solidified his reputation as a leading anti-Communist figure, significantly elevating him to national prominence. This newfound recognition paved the way for his election to the Senate in 1950. His political trajectory continued its upward climb when he was chosen as the running mate for Dwight D. Eisenhower, the Republican Party's presidential nominee in the 1952 election, serving as Vice President for eight years.

A Transformative Presidency (1969-1974)

After narrowly losing the 1960 presidential election to John F. Kennedy and suffering another defeat in the 1962 race for Governor of California, Nixon made a remarkable political comeback. In 1968, he mounted another successful bid for the presidency, winning a close contest against Hubert Humphrey and George Wallace. His presidency, particularly his first term, was defined by a series of monumental initiatives:

Foreign Policy Initiatives

• Ending the Vietnam War: Nixon formally concluded direct American combat involvement in Vietnam in 1973, concurrently ending the military draft, a deeply divisive aspect of the war. His administration pursued a strategy of "Vietnamization," gradually transferring military responsibilities to South Vietnamese forces while continuing peace negotiations.
• Opening to China: His historic visit to the People's Republic of China in 1972 marked a pivotal moment in Cold War diplomacy. This groundbreaking initiative, which saw the first direct contact between an American president and Chinese leaders in decades, eventually led to the establishment of full diplomatic relations between the two nations, fundamentally reshaping global geopolitics.
• Détente with the Soviet Union: Nixon also spearheaded a policy of détente with the Soviet Union, aiming to ease Cold War tensions. A key achievement of this period was the signing of the Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty in 1972, a landmark agreement designed to limit strategic missile defense systems and reduce the risk of nuclear war.

Domestic Policy Achievements

• New Federalism: Aligned with his conservative philosophy, Nixon's administration implemented "New Federalism," a policy designed to incrementally transfer power and resources from the federal government back to the states through initiatives like revenue sharing, aiming to decentralize governmental authority.
• Economic Stabilization: In an effort to combat inflation, his administration controversially imposed wage and price controls for a period of 90 days in 1971, a significant departure from traditional conservative economic policy.
• Civil Rights Enforcement: Despite his "Southern strategy," Nixon's administration took concrete steps to enforce desegregation in Southern schools, demonstrating a commitment to upholding the Supreme Court's mandate and significantly increasing the pace of desegregation.
• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): A lasting legacy of his administration was the establishment of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in December 1970, an independent agency tasked with protecting human health and the environment by writing and enforcing regulations based on laws passed by Congress. This reflected a bipartisan consensus on environmental issues.
• Healthcare and Drug Policy: Nixon initiated the "War on Cancer" with the National Cancer Act of 1971, significantly increasing funding for cancer research. His administration also pushed for and enacted the Controlled Substances Act, which categorized drugs based on their potential for abuse and medical use, and formally began the "War on Drugs."
• Apollo 11 Moon Landing: While the Apollo program predated his presidency, Nixon presided over the successful Apollo 11 Moon landing in July 1969, a momentous achievement that symbolized the pinnacle of American ingenuity and signaled a symbolic conclusion to the Space Race.
• 1972 Re-election: His policy successes contributed to his overwhelming re-election victory in 1972, where he defeated George McGovern in a historic electoral landslide, securing one of the largest presidential margins in U.S. history.

The Watergate Scandal and Resignation

Despite his commanding re-election, Nixon's second term quickly became embroiled in controversy. In late 1973, the deepening involvement of the Nixon administration in the Watergate scandal began to erode his support across Congress and the nation. The scandal, which originated from a break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters in the Watergate complex, evolved into a complex web of obstruction of justice, abuse of power, and illicit political activities. Faced with mounting evidence, a Supreme Court order to release White House tapes, and the imminent threat of impeachment by the House of Representatives and conviction by the Senate, Richard Nixon made the unprecedented decision to resign from the presidency on August 9, 1974. He remains the only U.S. president to have done so. His successor, Gerald Ford, later issued a controversial pardon to Nixon for any crimes he might have committed against the United States during his tenure.

Post-Presidency and Enduring Legacy

In the nearly two decades following his resignation, Richard Nixon embarked on a remarkable journey of rehabilitation. He dedicated himself to writing, authoring his memoirs and nine other books, and undertook numerous foreign trips, engaging with world leaders and contributing to international discourse. Through these efforts, he successfully transformed his public image from a disgraced president to that of an elder statesman and a leading expert on foreign affairs. On April 18, 1994, he suffered a debilitating stroke and passed away four days later, at the age of 81. Historians and political scientists often rank Nixon as a below-average president in overall assessments, yet evaluations of his legacy remain complex. His significant achievements in foreign policy, particularly the opening to China and détente with the Soviet Union, are frequently contrasted with the unprecedented circumstances of his departure from office due to the Watergate scandal, making his presidency one of the most debated and studied in American history.

Frequently Asked Questions About Richard Nixon

When did Richard Nixon serve as President?

Richard Nixon served as the 37th President of the United States from January 20, 1969, to August 9, 1974.

What were some of Richard Nixon's major achievements in foreign policy?

His key foreign policy achievements include ending U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War, orchestrating the historic opening of relations with the People's Republic of China, and pursuing a policy of détente with the Soviet Union, leading to the signing of the Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty.

What significant domestic policies were enacted under Nixon?

Domestically, Nixon established the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), imposed wage and price controls to combat inflation, enforced desegregation in Southern schools, initiated the "War on Cancer," and signed the Controlled Substances Act, launching the "War on Drugs."

Why did Richard Nixon resign from the presidency?

Richard Nixon resigned from office on August 9, 1974, due to the escalating Watergate scandal, which involved a political cover-up and abuse of power by his administration. Facing almost certain impeachment by the House of Representatives and conviction by the Senate, he chose to resign.

Was Richard Nixon pardoned after his resignation?

Yes, he was issued a full pardon by his successor, President Gerald Ford, on September 8, 1974, for any crimes he might have committed against the United States during his presidency.