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Watergate scandal: Quick Facts

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News •

Democrats' midterm wins surpass post-Watergate gains, DeSantis gives grim forecast for GOP • Nov. 4, 2026, 5:00 PM ET (CBS)
Today in History: October 20, ‘Saturday Night Massacre’ jolts Washington • Oct. 20, 2026, 4:02 AM ET (The Lowell Sun)

Facts

Date June 17, 1972 - August 9, 1975
Location United States
Context United States presidential election of 1972

Did You Know?

  • Only in 2005 did the Washington Post reveal informant Deep Throat's real identity: the former FBI agent Mark Felt.
  • In 1977, Nixon claimed that "when the president does it, that means it's not illegal."
  • During the investigation, Nixon famously said on TV that, "I'm not a crook", a remark still parodied in comedy today.

Photos and Videos

Watergate scandal
Watergate complex
Colson, Charles; Haldeman, H.R.
Mark Felt
John Dean
Richard Nixon: farewell speech
Gerald Ford
Watergate scandal
See U.S. president Richard M. Nixon speaking about the Watergate scandal
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Related Topics and References

Topics
Dig Deeper: More Articles That Discuss This Topic

Key People

Richard Nixon
Richard Nixon
president of United States
default image
Archibald Cox
American lawyer
G. Gordon Liddy
G. Gordon Liddy
American political operative
Bob Woodward in a suit and tie speaks while gesturing with his hands during an appearance on Meet the Press, with blurred studio background.
Bob Woodward
American journalist and author
default image
Seymour Hersh
American journalist
John Dean
John Dean
United States political adviser
Ehrlichman, John D.
John D. Ehrlichman
United States political adviser
E. Howard Hunt
E. Howard Hunt
United States government official
default image
Leon Jaworski
American lawyer
default image
John Mitchell
American attorney
Ervin, Samuel J., Jr.
Samuel J. Ervin, Jr.
United States senator
“The Iron Chancellor”
H.R. Haldeman
American executive and campaign manager
Sirica, John
John Sirica
United States judge

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