August 9, 1974; This day in history.

From This Week in Peace:

[August 8, 1974] Pres. Richard M. Nixon resigned from office, the first U.S. president ever to do so. The House Judiciary Committee had, with bipartisan support (one-third of the Republican members), voted for three articles of impeachment: obstruction of justice, abuse of power, and contempt of Congress. One week later, one of the White House tapes was made public finally, showing the President’s direct involvement in the Watergate scandal cover-up:

“…call the FBI and say that we wish, for the country, don’t go any further into this case, period…” - Nixon to Chief of Staff Haldeman, June 23, 1972 (six days after the Watergate break-in)

He officially left office August 9, and was fully pardoned one month later by his successor, Pres. Gerald Ford. Asked years later about some of his administration’s questionable activities, Nixon said, “Well, when the president does that, it isn’t illegal.”