America has been blessed with many presidents since Christopher Columbus first reached it it in 1776. Since then, the land has improved that in 2019, the USA’s net worth was $111.4 trillion. One of America’s presidents was Richard Nixon and in his tenure, many things happened and people who didn’t experience him wonder what he was like.
Richard Nixon was one of America’s competent presidents. He led the nation from 1969 to 1974.
He achieved a lot during his time and here’s our attempt at keeping history alive.
Who was Richard Nixon?
Born Richard Milhous Nixon on January 9, 1913, he served as the 37th American president from 1969-1974. During his presidency, he achieved significant improvements that we would discuss soon. Before presidency, Richard Nixon served as the 36th vice president of the United States, from 1953 to 1961.
President Richard was born to an underprivileged Quaker family. Despite his background, he managed to graduate from Duke Law school in 1937 and practised law for some years in California. In 1942, he moved to Washington with his wife Pat to work for the federal government.
He then joined the Naval Reserve during World War II and served in active duty. Richard Nixon was elected into the House of Representatives in 1946 after his military service.
He rose to prominence after his work on the Alger Hiss Case. It gave him a reputation as an anti-Communist and he was elected to the Senate in 1950. But, as they say, there’s no limit to what you can achieve as long as you are alive and Nixon understood this.
In 1952, he became the running mate for Dwight D. Eisenhower. He served a s vice president for two tenures, but had two failed elections. John F. Kennedy surpassed him in the 1960 presidential elections; and in 1962 he lost to another contestant for governorship in California.
Fortunately, he defeated Hubert Humphrey in 1968 and won the presidential elections. He moved along his career smoothly, it seemed. Richard Nixon went from being a poor child to an attorney, a congressman, a senator and eventually, the president.
What did Richard Nixon achieve during his presidency?
Richard Nixon started serving as president in 1968 and achieved many things for the country, including reconciliation between (then) the U.S.S.R. and China. He went on a diplomatic visit to the nation and was able to achieve this feat.
It was also in his presidency that the first man from America landed on the moon. Apollo 11 marked the end of what was a 20-year space competition between the USA and its Cold War adversary, the Soviet Union.
Furthermore, he pulled America out of the Vietnam war which seemed like an impossible feat at the time. But, his move reduced inflation in America at the time.
Why did Richard Nixon resign?
In June 1972, a group broke into the Watergate Complex, where the Democratic National Committee kept its headquarters. The motive behind the break-in was not known but after further investigation, Richard Nixon was linked to the incident.
He denied involvement in the case until recordings of his conversations were released.
Richard Nixon lost many supporters in the House of Congress and was warned of an imminent impeachment. In order to avoid that, he resigned through a speech that aired everywhere.
He was the first American president in history to make that move but it somehow saved him from further embarrassment.
Did Richard Nixon get a presidential funeral?
Richard Nixon died in April 1994 after suffering from a stroke. The Nixon family had the option of a state burial but chose a simple memorial service. Nonetheless, five presidents were in attendance in said intimate ceremony.
He is buried in the library named after him.
What is Richard Nixon’s family up to?
Before Richard Nixon became president, he had two daughters, Tricia and Julie, who were already grown. He wasn’t just loved in public as he also seemed to have a close relationship with his family. This relationship was even more evident during the Watergate Scandal.
Julie married one of Eisenhower’s grandsons, while her sister Tricia got married to Howard F. Cox, a corporate lawyer.
Richard Nixon was an avid reader so his extended family would occasionally visit the library after his death. They also ran the Richard Nixon Foundation a non-profit organization. The museum named after the former president is located in California.