In accordance with his statement of resignation the previous
evening, Richard M. Nixon officially ended his term as the 37th
president of the United States at noon on August 9, 1974. Before departing with his family in a helicopter from the White House
lawn, he smiled farewell and enigmatically raised his arms in a
victory or peace salute (above). The helicopter door was then
closed, and the Nixon family began their journey home to San
Clemente, California. Richard Nixon was the first U.S. president
to resign from office.

Minutes later, Vice President Gerald R. Ford was sworn in as the
38th president of the United States in the East Room of the White
House. After taking the oath of office, President Ford spoke to the
nation in a television address (below) declaring, “My fellow
Americans, our long national nightmare is over.”

In an evening televised address on August 8, 1974, President Richard M.
Nixon announces his intention to become the first president in American
history to resign. With impeachment proceedings underway against him
for his involvement in the Watergate affair, Nixon was finally bowing to
pressure from the public and Congress to leave the White House.

ROSS SIMPSON

Actor Denzel Hayes Washington Jr. is 63 years old today.

Denzel Washington won an Academy Award for Best Actor for
his role in the 2001 film Training Day. He has starred in several
films based on true events such as Remember the Titans (2000), 
Cry Freedom (1987), American Gangster (2007), Flight (2012), 
and Malcolm X (1992). 

2004

2012

CAMILLE BOHANNON

On this day in 1994, Jeffrey Dahmer, a convicted serial killer,
was clubbed to death in a Wisconsin prison by a fellow inmate.

The Grand Ole Opry made its radio debut on station WSM on this day
in 1925.

The WSM broadcast Tower in Brentwood, TN.

George D. Hay, original announcer of WSM’s "Barn
Dance" and later "The Grand Ole Opry," known to
his listeners as "The Solemn Old Judge."

Uncle Jimmy Thompson (80) was the first performer on a new
show called "The WSM Barn Dance."

CARLATA BRADLEY

The Beirut barracks bombing was a terrorist attack that occurred on 
this day in 1983, in Beirut, Lebanon, during the Lebanese Civil War. It
involved two truck bombs striking buildings housing Multinational
Force in Lebanon (MNF) peacekeepers, specifically against United
States and French service members, killing 241 U.S. and 58 French peacekeepers, 6 civilians and the 2 suicide attackers. A group
called Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for the bombings
and said that the attacks were to get the MNF out of Lebanon.       

President Ronald Reagan, first lady Nancy Reagan and Marine Commandant P.X. Kelley honor those killed in Beirut during a
Nov. 5, 1983, memorial service.

On this day in 1973, President Richard M. Nixon agreed to turn over
the subpoenaed White House tapes concerning the Watergate affair
to Judge Sirica and the House Judiciary Committee.

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Richard Nixon leaves the White House following his resignation over
the Watergate scandal.