The Watergate scandal remains a pivotal moment in American history, forever changing the landscape of politics and media. While many are familiar with the basic narrative of the break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters and President Nixon’s subsequent resignation, there are many lesser-known details that add layers of intrigue to this already complex event. Here are ten surprising facts about the Watergate scandal that you may not know.
The Watergate Scandal Was Caused by a Movie
The Watergate break-in on June 17, 1972, was meticulously planned. However, one small detail ruined everything. The lookout, Alfred Baldwin, was supposed to alert the team if the police arrived. Instead, he was distracted, watching the movie Attack of the Puppet People (1958) on television. Because of this, he failed to notice the police arriving, leading to the arrest of the burglars. [1]
The Reappearing Tape
Frank Wills, a Watergate Complex security guard, noticed tape covering the latches on some of the complex’s doors leading from the underground parking garage to several offices. The tape allowed the doors to close but remain unlocked, providing unrestricted access to the complex. Wills removed the tapes, but he was surprised to find them replaced during his next patrol. This discovery prompted him to call the police, setting the Watergate scandal in motion. [2]
President Nixon Had an Enemies List
President Nixon maintained an “enemies list,” compiled by Presidential Adviser George T. Bell for Charles Colson. The purpose of this list was to target the President’s opponents and critics using federal resources. The list became public when John Dean, Nixon’s White House counsel, mentioned its existence during hearings with the Senate Watergate Committee. Journalist Daniel Schorr, who was on the list, obtained a copy. This vindictive atmosphere within Nixon’s administration contributed to the decision to break into the Democratic National Committee’s office. [3]
Neither Bob Woodward nor Carl Bernstein “Broke” the Story
Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein are celebrated for their investigative work that exposed crucial details of the Watergate scandal. However, the first report on the Watergate break-in was actually written by Alfred E. Lewis for The Washington Post. Lewis, a trusted figure with the police, had early access to the crime scene. Woodward and Bernstein took over the reporting almost immediately, and Lewis’s initial contribution was largely forgotten. [4]
The Watergate Scandal Created Two Record Presidents
Richard Nixon, the 37th President of the United States, became the first and only president to resign from office. Gerald Ford, who served as vice president under Nixon, was appointed to the position following Spiro Agnew’s resignation for tax evasion. When Nixon resigned, Ford became the only person to serve as president without winning an election for either president or vice president. [5]
Nixon’s Own Paranoia Created the Evidence That Sunk Him
President Nixon’s extensive recording of conversations played a crucial role in his downfall. Before Nixon, no president had recorded conversations so extensively. These recordings, intended either to provide material for lucrative memoirs or to gain leverage over his staff, ultimately provided the evidence that linked him to the Watergate cover-up. When the House Judiciary Committee subpoenaed the tapes, the game was over for Nixon. [6]
Nixon Enjoyed Popular Support until Smoking Gun Tape Released
Despite the Watergate break-in, Richard Nixon won re-election by a landslide. Even as the scandal unfolded in 1973 with investigations and public hearings, only about a quarter of Americans supported his removal from office. It wasn’t until the Supreme Court ordered the release of the “Smoking Gun” tape—revealing Nixon’s direct involvement in the cover-up—that a majority of Americans favored his removal. Faced with impeachment, Nixon resigned. [7]
The Saturday Night Massacre
The “Saturday Night Massacre” refers to a series of events that occurred when Special Prosecutor Archibald Cox, who was investigating the Watergate scandal, subpoenaed White House recordings. Nixon ordered Attorney General Elliot Richardson to fire Cox, but Richardson resigned in protest. Nixon then ordered Deputy Attorney General William Ruckelshaus to fire Cox, but Ruckelshaus also resigned. Finally, Nixon ordered Solicitor-General Robert Bork to fire Cox, which Bork carried out. This event highlighted Nixon’s efforts to obstruct the investigation. [8]
President Nixon Was Not Allowed to Leave with the Recordings
Under the Presidential Recordings and Materials Preservation Act of 1974, the federal government took control of all the White House tapes. President Nixon was not allowed to take the recordings with him when he left office. He fought for custody of the tapes until his death, arguing that the 1974 Act was unconstitutional and infringed on his privacy rights. The courts eventually ruled that some tapes and documents were his personal property and should be returned to him, but the main incriminating recordings remained under government control. [9]
“Gate” Is the New Word for “Scandal”
The Watergate scandal had a lasting impact on the English language. Since Watergate, virtually all reported scandals have had the suffix “-gate” attached to them. Examples include “Pizzagate,” “Horsegate,” and “Deflategate.” There are at least two hundred cases where “gate” has been used to denote a scandal, illustrating the enduring influence of the Watergate scandal on our culture and language. [10]
The Watergate scandal is far more than just a historical footnote; it’s a complex web of events, decisions, and personalities that continue to fascinate and inform our understanding of power and corruption. These ten lesser-known facts offer a glimpse into the deeper layers of this pivotal moment in American history.
Do you know any other interesting facts about Watergate? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
