How a single piece of tape brought down the President of the United States
A botched break-in 50 years ago today changed US history and politics forever, triggering a chain of events that brought down then-President Richard Nixon.
As far as burglaries go, it was a relatively simple job. And no one would have known if everything had gone as planned.
However, on June 17, 1972, history was altered.
The botched break-in at Watergate, a residential and office complex in Washington DC, 50 years ago today, would forever alter American politics.
And it would set in motion a chain of events that would eventually bring down President Richard Nixon, the only president of the United States to resign.
The Watergate scandal is widely regarded as the most significant in political history, with the level of corruption and criminal activity exposed sending shockwaves around the world.
Surprisingly, it was a piece of tape and a vigilant night watchman who brought down the world’s most powerful man.
Frank Wills [CORR] was walking around the Democratic Party office complex when he noticed duct tape covering the latch of the basement door in the parking garage.
Wills took off the tape and resumed his rounds. When he returned a little later, around 2 a.m., he noticed the door had been taped again, preventing it from locking.
He reported a burglary to the police.
