1974: Nixon resigns
On August 8, 1974, in a nationally televised address, U.S. President Richard Nixon announces his intention to resign effective noon the next day. With impeachment certain for his involvement in the
Watergate affair, Nixon bowed to public pressure and became the first American president to resign. The Watergate scandal erupted after it was revealed that Nixon and his aides had engaged in illegal activities during his re-election campaign--and then attempted to cover up evidence of wrongdoing. At noon on August 9, Nixon officially ended his term, departing with his family in a helicopter from the
White House lawn. He was succeeded by Vice President Gerald Ford, who pardoned Nixon for any crimes he may have committed in office.
1997
British newspapers romantically link Diana, Princess of Wales with Dodi Al Fayed - the son of
Mohammed Al Fayed, the owner of London store Harrods.
1991
Islamic Jihad terrorists release British journalist
John McCarthy - 5 years and 3 months after being kidnapped in Beirut. He had been held hostage since April 17, 1986 - a total of 1,943 days.
1990
Iraq President
Saddam Hussein announces that
Iraq has annexed
Kuwait. US President Bush sends American troops to
Saudi Arabia as part of the build-up of a multinational force to force Iraqi troops out of Kuwait.
1974
US President Richard Nixon finally resigns over the
Watergate Affair - the first President to resign from office in the face of a threat of
impeachment. 1963
In England, a gang of 15 men steal more than £2.6 million in the Great Train Robbery at Sears Crossing, Buckinghamshire - stopping and robbing a Royal Mail train travelling between Glasgow and London.1958
In
Britain, Columbia Records signs a 17 year old singer called Cliff Richard.
1945
World War II: Russia declares war on
Japan. 1942
World War II: In America, six
German saboteurs are executed in a prison in the District of Columbia less than 3 months after they landed on Long Island.
1940
World War II: Official beginning of the Battle of Britain.1934
Britain passes the Poor Law Amendmant Act - abandoning system of outdoor relief by which parishes look after their poor and replacing it with the
workhouse. 1918
World War I: Start of the Battle of Amiens - Allied troops advance against 20 German divisions and take 16,000 prisoners within 2 hours.1900
Start of the first Davis Cup international tennis
tournament, named after
Dwight Filley Davis, at Longwood Cricket Club in Brookline, Massachusetts. Cup is won by the United States.
1786
The highest mountain in Europe, Mont Blanc, is climbed for the first time by Michael-Babriel Paccard and Jacques Balmat.117
Hadrian becomes Roman Emperor. 1953
British world motor racing champion Nigel Mansell.1937
American film
actor Dustin Hoffman.
1931
British comedian Ken Dodd.1923
US actress and swimming champion
Esther Williams.
1922
South African born heart
transplant doctor Christiaan Barnard.
1919
Italian film
director Dino de Laurentis.
