Did you know these Watergate facts that shocked America? 

Everybody knows about Watergate, no matter if they’re American citizens or simply history lovers. However, regardless of how thoroughly we investigate the events of that time, there are always additional Watergate facts that shocked America but are not widely discussed.

Five men were arrested by police on June 17, 1972, for breaking into the DNC headquarters at the Watergate complex in Washington, D.C. So, how did a “third-rate burglary” turn into something that almost threatened the constitution?

The anniversary of August 8, 1974, when Richard Nixon announced his resignation on national radio and television. However, the story took over two years to develop. Following that tragic June incident, the nation’s attention was drawn to the growing scandal in the press as President Nixon’s administration and Congress fought over the specifics of a massive cover-up involving the break-in.

A complicated constitutional drama involving all three branches of government, as well as organizations like the Justice Department, FBI, and CIA, was concluded with Nixon’s resignation and Gerald Ford’s rise to the presidency.

Below you will find some of the most intriguing Watergate facts that shocked America back then, and I think that on some levels, we’re still hooked on this.

A break-in that was more than a theft

It all began when five men were taken into custody inside the DNC headquarters on June 17, 1972. At first, it looked like a simple break-in. But one of the most disturbing Watergate facts that shocked America was that this so-called burglary was directly connected to President Nixon’s re-election campaign.

The DNC offices had door locks with latches that the burglars held open with tape. Frank Wills, a vigilant security guard, noticed the tape and dialed 911 right away. People who worked for the president were involved in political espionage, which was more than just a crime.

The cover-up was also…sketchy

Denying that you did something wrong is one thing, but attempting to cover it up in an unusual manner was even more intriguing. The former president and his allies denied the involvement completely and actively tried to stop the FBI from doing further investigations regarding the “burglary event.”

This is one of the Watergate facts that shocked America: a president used his power to protect himself instead of the country. Nixon eventually fired important people in what became known as the “Saturday Night Massacre” to keep the scandal from reaching him. But the truth couldn’t stay hidden for long.

The document that revealed the cover-up

The Nixon White House, led by Chief of Staff Bob Haldeman, was renowned for its strict discipline. However, on March 23, 1973, former CIA agent James McCord publicly admitted that fraud had been committed during the Watergate trial, shattering the illusion of harmony and unity.

While the McCord letter to Judge Sirica has previously been made public, I was not aware of a follow-up note from McCord on March 24 that named White House aide John Dean (right) and deputy Nixon campaign director Jeb Magruder as having direct involvement in Watergate.

This was discovered in the Senate Select Committee on Watergate’s documents, which set off the savage internal strife among Nixon’s staff that ultimately led to the president’s downfall. As a result, Magruder and Dean turned against one another, and both men later turned against Nixon.

Tapes took former President Nixon down easier than imagined

One of the Watergate facts that shocked America is that the former president used to tape his official conversations at the Oval Office. But this time, technology worked against him because when the Supreme Court made him give them up, the tapes showed that he was guilty.

One tape, later known as the “smoking gun,” showed Nixon trying to stop the FBI’s investigation by using the CIA. These recordings were clear proof of the cover-up. Hearing the president’s voice planning to obstruct justice was really shocking for Americans. I mean, who would have thought that the President would do that?

Newspapers played an important role in reporting Watergate

The Post played a big part in breaking the Watergate scandal, especially with tips from a source known as Deep Throat. He gave Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein of the Washington Post information that helped them follow the money. In 2005, it was revealed that Mark Felt, the FBI’s associate director, was the so-called “Deep Throat.”

His bravery and knowledge from the inside helped keep the investigation going, even when the government tried to stop it.

Curious about more insight into the topic? I know it happened 5 decades ago, but for history lovers, it’s never too much when it comes to topics like this one. All the President’s Men by Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein is a book that you may want to have. Anyone who wants to know the whole story behind the shocking Watergate facts should read this bestselling classic by the two journalists who broke the news. The writing is detailed, compelling, and reminiscent of a political thriller, but it’s all true.

What was Nixon’s team after?

That’s the biggest mystery: what were they really looking for? It’s still a mystery, even though many have tried to find the truth. Was it bad news about the Democrats? Or maybe some secrets regarding the campaign donors? Information about one of Nixon’s enemies? Even years later, the perpetrators told different stories. What do you think Nixon was after? What is your opinion regarding this topic?

The fact that we don’t know what’s happening makes the scandal even worse. It shows how far Nixon’s team was ready to go, even if they didn’t have a clear goal, just to stay in power.

Unusual friendship between Nixon and Bebe Rebozo

Bebe Rebozo, a close friend of Nixon’s, is a little-known Watergate fact that shocked the country. Rebozo was a businessman from Florida who rarely appeared in public, but he was very close to Nixon behind the curtain. He is said to have taken secret donations and may have helped send money to help Nixon cover up his actions.

Rebozo’s power made people wonder who really had power and how loyalty could lead to breaking the law.

The Congress steps in

Eventually, Congress started its investigation, and millions of Americans watched the hearings on TV. People who had never been interested in politics were now watching senators question people under oath. Former aides testified one by one about how Nixon was involved in the scandal.

These hearings served as an intensive lesson in the proper and improper operation of government. It was real-time civic education and one of the Watergate facts that shocked the country.

Nixon’s Watergate interview has the highest-rated interview ever

One of the Watergate facts that shocked America is that former President Nixon talked about everything in multiple public interviews with David Frost. Nixon did this, despite his closest people’s advice to not go public on facts like this, but the first interview was done on May 4, 1977, with a record of 45 million Americans watching live.

These discussions marked Nixon’s first and only admission of any sort of guilt and his first and only agreement to answer direct questions about Watergate. Nixon simultaneously managed to assign blame by trying to use his attorney general, John Mitchell, and Mitchell’s wife, Martha Mitchell, as scapegoats.

For those who don’t know, Nixon received about $600,000 in compensation for these interviews.

Final thoughts:

It was more than a break-in at Watergate. It dealt with responsibility, power, and the function of truth in a democracy. Not only did the shocking Watergate facts make headlines, but they also changed our perspective on authority and leadership.

Watergate serves as a reminder that, even after 51 years, democracy depends on citizens who are not afraid to speak out, ask difficult questions, and hold the powerful accountable.

On a roll with reading about presidents? Then you gotta check out: 6 Lifetime Privileges Only Former Presidents Get.